The idea of growing some of your own food is a great way to live a more sustainable life. To achieve this, even with a small garden, there is no substitute for a greenhouse. The question is when buying a greenhouse, what greenhouse should you choose based on your current and future needs?
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What is the purpose of having a greenhouse?
Plant pots, raised beds, and even simply going straight into the ground can sometimes be used to grow much of the food you require in the garden. However, there are some reasons a greenhouse might be a good idea:
- A greenhouse extends the growing season because it protects your plants from the elements, allowing you to start growing earlier and continue growing into the winter months.
- Produce all year long - you can even grow some things during the winter or prepare them to grow in the spring
- Pests are largely controlled by natural methods in greenhouses and you can avoid airborne and soil pests that can ruin your crop
- This type of planting is sustainable because you can collect seeds from your plants to grow more plants next year. It means that you won't have to keep buying plants each year.
Major considerations
It is important to consider some major factors before you buy a greenhouse so that you can make an informed decision.
- Where will it go?
You can often add a greenhouse to your garden based on the size and shape of your garden. It should be placed somewhere where it gets the right amount of sunlight and is also convenient to access. It might also be a good idea to place it in a separate area from the main garden area where you spend your time outdoors - greenhouses aren't always the most attractive features! You should also consider the local authority's rules regarding outbuildings.
- What’s your budget?
It is one of the most prominent concerns that you might have when purchasing a greenhouse. Rather than purchasing the greenhouse itself, you must purchase the equipment that will be used in it and the plants themselves. In addition, you may need an irrigation system, temperature controls, and other accessories. Before purchasing a greenhouse, make sure you can afford everything you need.
- What will it be used for?
It is important to have some ideas about what you want to grow as soon as you know how much space you have. As a result of only having a small greenhouse, the things you can grow in it will be limited, so you should focus on growing the foods that you need most. Small greenhouses have fewer possibilities for expanding.
- What type of greenhouse do you want?
In addition to choosing a type of greenhouse, you should also think about the style because greenhouses come in a variety of styles. As a starting point, you can choose either glass or plastic for your glazing. Plastic is usually less expensive and more prone to breaking than glass, but glass is better at conducting sunlight. You can also get wood and aluminium frames, although aluminum is a bit more durable but requires more maintenance. Aluminum and glass go well together, while wood and plastic go well together.
Other considerations
Once you have considered these major factors concerning buying a greenhouse, you should begin to consider other smaller, but still important factors.
Among the biggest is the greenhouse construction. Do you have a passion for DIY and can you put it up yourself or will you need someone else to do it? Remember to set aside some budget for this later if it is the latter.
The greenhouse needs to be watered. How will you do that? Water is a key ingredient in growing your own food. You don't need to go beyond a simple watering can system, but if your greenhouse is bigger, an integrated irrigation system would do a lot of the work for you.
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