Cheap Greenhouses May Not Be Just For Hobbies Anymore | Building a Greenhouse

Cheap Greenhouses May Not Be Just For Hobbies Anymore | Building a Greenhouse

Perhaps you have thought about the benefits of greenhouse growing as a hobby.  However, these days greenhouse growing may be considered more of a precaution to many “what if’s”.  It’s the unthinkable for sure.......Find Out more......


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Building a Greenhouse

Choosing the right position and preparing the construction site from Building Greenhouse Tips

Ebook on Building A Greenhouse Plans Tips

Choosing the right position
Have you been able to find the best spot on your property ? One that meets the requirements listed above? Great! Now, see that the site is properly leveled. If it is not, clear and level the site by pulling earth from the higher side to the lower side. It is easier and cheaper to do this, rather than go in for filling the lower side by bringing in soil from elsewhere. The site should be well-drained and should discourage water-logging. Once perimeter is marked out, you can fill the base with a few inches of gravel or coarse sand to aid drainage. Factor in drainage pipes in your design for greater surety.

Do you want to build a free-standing structure or an attached one? The site you have identified would more or less make that decision for you. The good news is that you are almost done with the location part of the plan. If you site your greenhouse for easy access to utilities, that is a big plus. You would save a lot of trouble arranging for electricity points and water source.

Well, having marked out the best possible plot of land for your home  greenhouse, you can finish off this phase with finalizing the dimensions according to space available, your budget and the number of plants you want to populate your greenhouse with. 

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Building A Greenhouse Plans.....Find out here !
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Green House

 

Heating, Ventilation, Watering From Building Greenhouse Tips

Tips from Ebook of Greenhouse Plans DIY

Many greenhouse owners have to install some sort of heating mechanism in their greenhouses back at home to keep the temperature under control. The heating systems vary from simple paraffin or kerosene heaters to electric heaters and high-tech systems with underground cabling. Most electric heating systems come with a thermostat and sensors that will kick start the heaters if temperature falls below a preset level. The automation is going to be a bit costly, of course, but if you have to deal with severe winters, it would be worth the investment to get over the constant fear of losing your plants to cold.

When you purchase heaters for your greenhouse, be sure that you buy one according to the size of your greenhouse. You don’t want a mismatch between the two. That would result in the greenhouse not getting warm enough and at the same time could put enough strain on the heaters to burn them out. You don’t even want to think of the electricity bill if your heaters’ thermostats never reach the cut-off point!

Similarly, ventilation is another aspect you have to be sensitive to. Just as we need fresh air for good health, so do other living things, including plants. You probably have vents built into the greenhouse design plans that you are following. Have you made your plan on your own? In that case, check that the size, number and location of the vents are such that the rate of turnover of air is efficient.

For both, heating and ventilation, you would need to calculate the area and volume of your greenhouse. Next, find a suitable heating system with the appropriate heating capacity. The ventilation system would also need to be purchased according to the required air-exchange rate. 

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Building A Greenhouse Plans.....Find out here !


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Green house, plan tips

Building A Greenhouse Plans Tips

Ebook Building A Greenhouse Plans Tips

When building the greenhouse, it is important to make all efforts to ensure that the artificial environment you are creating inside should be maintained with as little variation as possible, so you would be able to extend the growing season of your plants or start seedlings as well as cuttings early. I am sure you are already aware of how a greenhouse works. It must allow sunrays to come through the glazing as best as possible and then retain their heat inside the canopy of the greenhouse to maintain warmth for the plants to thrive in. Anything you can do to keep the warmth inside when the outside temperatures are nose-diving is going to make your greenhouse more effective.


What can you do at the building stage itself to ensure that your greenhouse retains as much heat as it can? For one, certain materials are poor conductors of heat and would serve you well if you face very short summers and long cold winters. Wood is a great choice in this scenario. PVC would not withstand the heavy load of snow in case some accumulates on the roof. Also, wood would not expand or contract with variation in temperature, so all sealing that you do between the glazing and the frame is going to remain tight.

Another thing to think about: a hoop house needs to be securely anchored in a windy region so it won’t take off with a strong gust of wind! Here, you have to really make all efforts to provide as tight a seal as you can to prevent wind gusts from entering and heat from leaking out. A good way to test for potential leaks is to hold an incense stick at the joints where the glazing and frame meet. The white or colored smoke will easily help you identify if there are any leaks!

If you are in an area that is prone to hail storms, you want a shatter-proof glazing material with high impact value. Will glass do? No way! How about polyethylene? Not so good. So, what material should you be using? If you have done your research you would be telling me that polycarbonate would be the best choice. Right you are!
When you are out to build your greenhouse, be smart about choosing the materials you use. Think about the unique weather and climatic conditions you face in your region. Make your choices accordingly based on what materials and designs would be most suitable.

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Building A Greenhouse Plans.....Find out here !