Introduction
Chapter 1: a Peek into a Greenhouse: a Primer
What is a greenhouse?
How does a greenhouse capture heat?
Chapter 2: Types of Greenhouses
Hot Greenhouse
Warm Greenhouse
Cool Greenhouse
Lean-To
Detached
Ridge/Furrow
Glass
Fibreglass
Plastic
Polyethylene
PVC
Chapter 3: Tools and Materials for Your Greenhouse
Greenhouse tables, shelving and plant holders
Greenhouse garden coil indoor/outdoor watering wand
Chapter 4: Tips for Your Greenhouse
Chapter 5: Greenhouse Resources / References for Hobbyists
Your Wonderland
Conclusion
A growing number of people at least have
one greenhouse story to share.
The idea of growing food at controlled temperatures all year round and extending
the growing season have set fire to people’s imaginations. No wonder the
greenhouse building industry has recorded phenomenal growth.
From construction plans to tools and accessories for greenhouses, individuals
are working on all fours to satisfy the increasing demands of consumers who have
made building their own greenhouses top priority. This trend, which started
humbly in the 70’s, is now a full-fledged endeavour on the part of greenhouse
entrepreneurs and “homesteaders.”
One greenhouse story told by a woman was particularly moving. Months before the
spring, her husband bought the materials required for building a greenhouse. His
plan was to attach it to the house.
The woman had protested because he was at the same time going through radiation
and chemotherapy treatments for his cancer. His wife said he should be resting
instead of puttering about with shelves and glass and plastic.
What he said broke her heart. He wanted to build and finish the greenhouse while
he still had some strength left, because he knew for a long time that she had
always wanted one in their backyard. He said he wanted to see the joy in her
face when she started planting her tomatoes or gardenias or whatever else she
wanted to put there.
Greenhouses are an extension of our personalities. Most especially, it mirrors
our soul and what we want from life.
And what we want is a steady supply of home-grown healthy food. During these
precarious times when terrorist attacks and life-threatening calamities can cast
us in the dark indefinitely, we have one thing we can be sure of – the tomatoes
and cucumbers that are in the food basket in the kitchen will tide us over
should the country go on emergency mode.
The sweet potatoes and carrots will be around, and there will be more from the
greenhouse to feed our families for a few weeks before things return to normal.
Not that we believe that a shortage will ever happen, the country has become
much more prepared for any kind of emergency, but just on the off chance…
If greenhouses can save our lives, we may, at some point in time, consider the
idea of building one soon, a first step towards self-sufficiency.
It’s not just a constant supply of healthy food that concerns individuals, but a
greenhouse – and building it – can be sources of pure enjoyment and clean fun
for everyone in the family. Most greenhouse owners are familiar with the
advantages of growing their own plants and flowers, prolonging the growing
season and the possibility of heating their home. And who knows? They could be
selling fresh produce in the communities they live in.
There are many greenhouse models to choose from. You can go from affordable to
very expensive. You can build a greenhouse by using junk or a plastic film
stretched over a rudimentary structure, or purchase elaborate metal and glass
pre-manufactured sun-rooms.
Each of them serves the fundamental function of extending the growing season.
Even the question of irrigation can be simple or complex, depending on your
preferences.
Just want to make it a hobby? Why not? Homeowners attach theirs to their homes.
Even schools have greenhouses built by elementary and high school students.
Finally, the wholesome taste of a home-grown tomato! Everyone knows there is a
difference. But really, between you and I, it goes beyond just tomatoes.
Perseverance, labour of love and the sweet anticipation of “harvest time” are
what truly matter.
What is a greenhouse?
A greenhouse is also called a glasshouse or a hothouse. It is a structure where
plants – fruits, vegetables, flowers – are grown. It attracts heat because the
sun’s electromagnetic radiation warms the plants, soil, and other components
within the greenhouse. Air is warmed from the hot interior area inside the
structure through the roof and wall.
How does a greenhouse capture heat?
A greenhouse uses a special kind of glass that acts as a medium which
selectively transmits spectral frequencies. Spectral comes from the word
“spectrum”.
In layman’s terms, a spectral frequency can be defined in terms of the following
principle: any object in the universe emits, radiates or transmits light. The
distribution of this light along an electromagnetic spectrum is determined by
the object’s composition.
Therefore, the glass of a greenhouse traps energy within the greenhouse and the
heat in turn provides heat for the plants and the ground inside the greenhouse.
It warms the air near the ground, preventing it from rising and leaving the
confines of the structure.
For example, if you open a small window near the roof of a greenhouse, the
temperature drops significantly. This is because of the auto-vent automatic
cooling system. An auto-vent is simply a device used by greenhouses that
maintains a range of temperatures inside. This is how greenhouses trap
electromagnetic radiation and prevents convection (transference of heat by
currents within a fluid).
Curious about how the idea of a greenhouse came about? It goes back to the days
of the Romans, who – as history annals show – were the first people to create a
structure to protect plants. Using heated pits, they put up slabs of rock to
form primitive greenhouses. The term “glasshouse” which is the correct name of
this structure, was adopted sometime in the 17th and 18th centuries.
At that time, however, the error was in believing that heat was more important
than light for plants to thrive. Structures were being built to exclude the
entry of light, but by the time the glass tax of 1845 was abolished, the design
of greenhouses started to change.
Builders realized then that a curved roof instead of a flat one allowed higher
concentrations of the sun’s rays, and that by using iron instead of wood, the
greenhouse could be structurally reinforced and made capable of absorbing more
light.
A man named Joseph Paxton, a horticulturist, appeared on the scene and
introduced changes to the greenhouse design concept. He was famous for the Palm
house at Kew Gardens which he built in 1842. It measured 110 meters long, 30
meters wide and over 20 meters high. Nine years later, he built the Crystal
Palace.
It has been forty years now since major improvements in materials and design
have been integrated into the greenhouse, and it is now very much a feature of
any home garden.
One greenhouse principle is the ability to extend the growing season. Early
vegetables can be planted indoors and then transplanted when they mature. A
greenhouse owner also gains several weeks to the growing and sowing period
especially if there is a form of heating installed.
Controlling temperature, light and moisture is one of the things that greenhouse
owners can do; this way they obtain the guaranteed results they want. Our
science classes taught us that many plant varieties enjoy a warm, moist
temperature.
In addition to extending the growing season and being able to control
temperature and moisture inside a greenhouse, a gardener learns to hone his
gardening skills by getting acquainted with as many varieties as he can in the
greenhouse.
He may choose to specialize on one species of fruit or vegetable or flowering
plant. Many have built greenhouses for the purpose of growing and preserving
their orchids.
Whatever the intent is, a greenhouse will deliver hours of emotional
satisfaction to owners. Imagine being able to grow juicy tomatoes or producing
new kinds of plants by the simple act of propagation.
Don’t be discouraged by the fact that you have limited space in your garden or
that is completely paved or concreted. You can still make use of limited space.
If space is a problem, there are what people call “free standing” greenhouses
that take just a few square feet of space, and some can be installed on
balconies or roof tops.
Today, you can choose any greenhouse frame you want, including colour. If you’re
not into aluminium, you can build one with a dark frame colour or go for earth
colours instead.
Let’s mention a few of the numerous benefits of greenhouses:
- Control of growing conditions for plants to obtain desired results,
- Protection from the elements and from birds and animals,
- Facility in controlling pests and diseases,
- Easy access by the elderly and disabled, given that greenhouses are less
physically demanding than wide open crop spaces and fields,
- Possibility of reducing gardening costs because the owner or gardener grows
his own plants,
- Possibility of widening the variety of plants for general gardening purposes.
- A greenhouse serves as an escape or refuge after a trying day.
After you decide that you want to build a
greenhouse, you have to decide next what type to build. This should not be a
difficult one to address, provided you know what kinds of plants you want to
grow. You will need to answer questions such as:
- What will my greenhouse be principally used for?
- Do I want a large or small greenhouse?
- Will the greenhouse be the main attraction of my garden?
- Is my garden exposed to strong winds?
- Are there young children or wild animals in the area?
Factors such as cost and space will determine the type of greenhouse you build.
If you do live in a windy area, it may be worth to spend the extra money for a
solid and sturdy greenhouse. If you live near a large hardware store or a
nursery, or even a do-it-yourself home center, go and visit some models. The
customer service representative should be able to provide you with valuable
information before you make a final decision.
So as not to mislead you, while there may be different types of greenhouse
designs, we’re talking about the same greenhouse. You get to decide which type
you want it to be.
For example, if temperature is the main factor, because of the plant varieties
you want to grow, then there are three types in terms of temperature control.
There are also different types of greenhouses based on structural design. We’ll
start with temperature control factors.
For temperature control purposes, three types of greenhouses exist:
- a hot greenhouse
- a warm greenhouse
- a cool greenhouse.
Hot Greenhouse
A hot greenhouse’s inside temperature is maintained at a minimum of sixty five
degrees. You can at some future date increase the temperature, but a hot
greenhouse is intended for growing tropical and exotic plants. If you live in a
very cold region, you will need to install heating and lighting equipment to
satisfy the requirements of tropical and exotic plant species.
Warm Greenhouse
The temperature inside a warm greenhouse, on the other hand, is at about
fifty-five degrees F. At this temperature, a larger variety of plants can be
grown, perhaps as many as you would in your outdoor garden. You may still need
to resort to the use of additional heat and light during the winter months.
Cool Greenhouse
A cool greenhouse (frost-free greenhouse) is maintained at a temperature ranging
from forty to forty five degrees F. This temperature is ideal for growing
seedlings or any plants that do not need warmer temperatures to survive. A cool
greenhouse is perfect for starting your plants and vegetables in anticipation of
the summer months. Generally, the use of heat or lights isn’t required for a
cool greenhouse.
As for structure, there are generally three types:
- lean-to
- detached
- ridge and furrow or gutter connected.
Lean-To
The lean-to type of greenhouse is rarely used for commercial purposes because of
size restrictions, but is the most popular among hobbyists.
Detached
Detached greenhouses – as the name suggests – are independent and are stand
alone structures. However, they may still be attached to a work area or else
provide access to another greenhouse via a passageway.
The Quonset is the most common type of detached greenhouse used for commercial
production. They are built from arched rafters and have solid walls for support.
Quonset greenhouses are ideal for producing most crops, although the growing
area is limited to the areas around the side walls, which diminishes efficiency
and productivity.
Ridge/Furrow
Ridge and furrow greenhouses are attached at the lower edges of the roof by a
gutter. The absence of an inside wall below the gutter allows for increased
efficiency. Ridge and furrow greenhouses may be built with gabled or curved
arches. Gabled houses are appropriate for heavy coverings (i.e. glass,
fibreglass) while curved arch houses are covered with lighter materials (i.e.
polyethylene, polycarbonates).
You may encounter different classifications in your readings on greenhouses. For
example, another classification, which is similar to the ones just mentioned
are:
Cold frame type
Roof cover may be poly or shade, end wall covering is either poly or rigid,
available lengths come in 12 feet increments, and no gutter connections or
vents.
Ground-to-ground
Roof covering is either poly or shade, wall covering may be poly or rigid,
lengths available in 12 feet increments, no gutters, roof vents are available.
Gutter-connected, Gothic arch
Load rating may be either 10, 15 or 20 pounds, roof covering is poly, sidewall
and end wall either poly or rigid, lengths available in 12 feet increments while
heights available in 8, 10 or 12 feet, gutter connection and roof vents both
available.
Gutter-connected Cable
Load rating 10, 20 or 30 pounds, roof covering either poly or rigid, end wall
and sidewall covering may be either poly or rigid, lengths in 12 feet
increments, gutter connection and roof vents available.
Gutter-connected Arch
Load rating may be 10, 20 or 30 pounds, roof covering and sidewall/end wall is
rigid, lengths come in 12 feet increments, gutter connection and roof vents
available.
Another way of looking at greenhouse types is the material they are made of;
that is, glass, fibreglass, or plastic. Each type has its advantages and
disadvantages. Whatever you choose, make sure you leave the installation and
irrigation systems to professionals.
Glass
Glass type greenhouses are the most traditional covering used. They may be
constructed with slanted sides, straight sides and eaves. Aluminium, glass
buildings provide low maintenance and have aesthetic lines, as well as ensuring
that you get a weather-tight structure. Pre-fabricated glass kits are available
for easy installation by hobbyists and amateur gardeners. They come in different
models to meet budget and space restrictions.
The disadvantages of glass are its fragile condition (glass breaks easily) and
high costs.
Fibreglass
Fibreglass greenhouses – they are light, strong and hail-proof. Be careful,
though. Low quality Fibreglass will discolour, thus reducing penetration of
light. Using a good quality Fibreglass will however make it as expensive as
building a glass one. If you decide to go for Fibreglass, go for the most
expensive grade, and do not buy coloured Fibreglass.
Plastic
Plastic greenhouses are becoming very popular for the following reasons:
- Low cost (about 1/6 the cost of glass)
- Absorbs sufficient heat
- Fruits and vegetables and other plants under plastic are comparable in quality
to that of glass-grown varieties
- Lower tax liabilities
Choice of polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), copolymers of these
materials, and other readily available clear films.
Polyethylene
Polyethylene: lightweight and inexpensive. It stands up well during the seasons
of fall, winter and spring, but tends to deteriorate during the summer when it
gets constant exposure to the sun. It breaks down due to ultraviolet rays and
the deterioration begins along the rafters and along the creases. This problem
can be avoided by using UV-inhibited polyethylene, which is available in two and
six ml thickness and is up to 40 feet wide and 100 feet long.
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC or Vinyl) - like polyethylene, PVC's are soft and
flexible. You can have transparent ones. Vinyl costs two to five times more than
polyethylene. When properly installed, they can last as long as five years.
Because it attracts dust and dirt from the air, it has to be washed from time to
time.
Remember that you are not limited to a
certain variety of plants to grow in a greenhouse. Bear in mind, however, that
your preference for certain fruits, vegetables and plants will determine the
type of greenhouse you like to build. “Know thy crop” is an important factor
before deciding on the greenhouse type you will install.
You will need a good soil for planting seeds. Compost, potting or gardening soil
and a little sand or perlite are a good start. Read all directions in your seed
packets.
Keep some of those black plastic flats that nurseries use to display their plant
containers. These are useful for starting sees and transplants.
Benches in greenhouses are essential, as they hold trays of plants that have
already sprouted from seeds.
Styrofoam cups – have several of these handy. Seeds sprout quickly and once they
grow large enough to move into separate containers, they can be gently lifted
and transferred into ordinary Styrofoam cups.
You can also use yogurt plastic cups, and large commercial type containers that
can hold more than one plant. In fact, any container you can think of will be
suitable.
Other materials you should have on hand are broken clay pots, cracked walnuts,
marbles, charcoal or gravel. These help in proper drainage. Be sure to soak clay
pots in water a few minutes before using them. This will prevent the clay from
absorbing the moisture from the potting soil.
If you want to have trellises inside your greenhouse, you can make them out of
coat hangers, which you can bend to any shape your heart desires.
Herbs are perfect for keeping pests at bay. They are what one writer calls
“nature's insecticides”. Have a variety of them inside your greenhouse. You can
make a natural insecticide by adding onions or garlic to a jar of water. Leave
it for a week and spray on your plants.
Other garden tools that will help you run your greenhouse efficiently are air
coolers for the hot summer. This is to maintain the temperatures at desired
levels. Power vents in the roof are also a good idea to release hot air that can
build up suddenly in the summer.
In the winter, a good heater would be nice to warm the greenhouse. Other
accessories you need are a humidifier, a CO2 generator, and a mister.
Greenhouse lighting system.
A type of light called high intensity discharge lighting (HID) used to be
employed by commercial growers in large greenhouses. However, the idea of
artificial lighting to stimulate plant growth became increasingly popular.
H.I.D. lighting not only adds to natural sunlight, but can actually serve as a
substitute during long winters when natural sunlight is in scant supply. They
are energy efficient and operational costs are low. Here are just a few of the
benefits of HID lighting:
Increases the health and strength of plants, and stimulates growth and yield
rates,
Supplements natural sunlight; by using HID lighting, you also extend “day
length”,
Enables container outdoor plants on decks and patios during the summer to be
moved indoors during the winter,
Are definitely more powerful than conventional fluorescents.
Greenhouse tables, shelving and plant holders
These are indispensable, especially when you need to work inside your greenhouse
and to maximise and organize your greenhouse space. As your plant varieties
grow, you will need shelves and tables and plant holders to facilitate your
gardening. One popular type of bench that greenhouse hobbyists like is the cedar
double layer bench. They are durable and efficient to use.
For shelves, you can opt for two and three section lengths made of aluminium.
Given that watering your plants is an essential – indispensable -part of any
greenhouse gardening, a good watering system is required. You can choose either
the automatic or hand held watering system to make your watering needs more
efficient.
For automatic irrigation systems, there are models that come equipped with an
automatic drip irrigation and fertilizer system. Day or night, they regularly
water the plants and adjust the flow of fertilizer. Some have a tank in which
the water and fertilizer are mixed and are distributed to plants via hoses,
Y-connections and drip pins.
Greenhouse garden coil indoor/outdoor watering wand
This is a "self-coiling" garden hose made of rugged and durable polyurethane
tubing. It produces ultra-fine mists and sprays in soft, gentle streams. Some
wand models extend to as long as 50 feet. No hassle storage because of
self-coiling mechanism.
Greenhouses constantly evolve in style and design. It follows then that tools
and accessories will grow in number or existing ones will be considerably
improved. Manufacturers are probably inventing more tools and accessories this
very moment that will make our work in greenhouses easier and quicker.
The ones we just described are already being used by many greenhouse
enthusiasts. In a few years, new products will definitely appear in the market.
If you’re growing carrots, beets, turnips
and other root crops, they thrive well in deep boxes which can be put under
benches. Those that require tub-type containers are tomatoes, peas, cucumbers
and pole beans, while lettuce, or other low leafy vegetables may be planted in
the tub with the taller vegetables.
You can plant corn directly on the floor of the greenhouse, in a special bed
prepared for it. To save space, you can plant pumpkin between the rows of corn.
Use room temperature water to water your indoor plants. Let tap water stand for
a day to get rid of the chlorine substance. This way you avoid your plants
getting brown tips.
Distribute crushed egg shells in your garden to stimulate growth. Sprinkling
coffee grounds will add acid to the greenhouse ground.
Before bringing vegetables and fruits from the greenhouse to your house, rinse
them well outside; this way dirt and bugs stay outside and will not make your
kitchen dirty.
To make more room in your greenhouse, use lower benches for starting seeds and
transplants; upper benches for growing flowers and specimen plants. Some
vegetables, like tomatoes, should be planted in a warm section of the
greenhouse.
Regarding planting of seeds, be sure to water lightly for the first few times.
Over watering may cause the seeds to come to the surface too soon, preventing
them from rooting properly.
Preparation and production must be done in separate areas. Don’t do general
preparation on the growing floor. This makes for a tidier greenhouse.
Here is a list of the largest vegetables that will need the most spacing in your
greenhouse:
- bush type beans: minimum of five feet between rows,
- cabbage: a foot between rows,
- peppers: about a foot between rows,
- cantaloupes: two to three feet between rows,
- squash: two to three feet between rows,
- tomatoes and watermelons: minimum of two feet between rows.
All other vegetables (beets, carrots, garlic, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes,
spinach, and turnips): five to ten inches to grow fully in the bed in your
greenhouse.
For carrots, beets, and onions that grow deep down in the dirt, keep your soil
at least two foot deep as the roots on some of these plants and the vegetable
that grows from these plants can get to be very large under the soil.
Mixing vegetables in rows is a good idea. Plants that are different put side by
side will not compete for the nutrients, soil and water. For example, take
onions and lettuce. One grows down in the dirt while the other grows up from the
soil – they grow well side by side. However if you were to put onions and
carrots together, they will be competing for the soil space.
For readers interested in what the
government’s position is on greenhouses – soil, emissions, nurseries, tomatoes,
etc – visit the United States Department of Agriculture web site:
www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?q=greenhouse&num=10&mode=simple&navid=SEARCH&start=10.
This link takes you directly to the subject
of greenhouses.
For more greenhouse tips covering topics such as: humidity, strawberry tips,
opening a greenhouse business, fall greenhouse tips, hanging baskets in the
greenhouse, visit:
http://www.greenhouses.com/Garden_Moose/Greenhouse_Tips/Starting_Seeds_in_the_Greenhouse_/
If you want to learn how to build your own greenhouse, and want to have as many
possible plans to choose from, visit:
http://www.floridagardener.com/greenhouse/greenhouseillustration1.htm
This site has about 3 illustration plans with step-by-step instructions.
For subjects covering:
- Choosing Your Greenhouse
- Choosing a Greenhouse Site
- Foundation Hints
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Seeds in the Spring
Visit:
http://www.gardenstyles.com/Tips.asp
To teach students about greenhouses using a broad and general approach, visit:
http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/climate_change/earth.asp
For an example of a greenhouse lesson plan for students, visit:
http://www.chias.org/www/edu/ecocit/airkeog.html
To show children how the greenhouse effect would contribute to global warming,
(animation), visit:
http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/greenhouse.html
For greenhouse beginners, this book is helpful:
“In Your Greenhouse: A Beginner's Guide” (Paperback)
by Greta Heinen. How enjoying outdoor gardening with specialty plants can lead
one to consider a hobby greenhouse.
Another book we recommend is: “Greenhouse Gardener's Companion: Growing Food and
Flowers in Your Greenhouse or Sunspace” (Paperback)
by Shane Smith, Marjorie C. Leggitt (Illustrator)
This paperback covers greenhouse subjects such as:
1. Building your own greenhouse
2. Glazing
3. Watering your greenhouse plants
4. Interior design of your greenhouse
5. Greenhouse seasons
Your Wonderland
Your greenhouse is your wonderland. You can make anything of it that you like.
It is an oasis in both time and space.
The time that you spend tending to your greenhouse can be your downtime, a time
away where the stresses of this world pass away.
If your greenhouse is your hobby, you will wish to spend allotted time there
each and every day.
However you consider your greenhouse you will enjoy yourself. You will go back
to nature and get in touch with your organic self. All of this is very good for
the soul.
Three Reasons to Consider Purchasing a Greenhouse
Your greenhouse can be attached to your home. It can alternatively be
freestanding to add to the beauty of your surrounding landscape. If you are an
avid gardener then you will likely enjoy the atmosphere of a greenhouse. You
should forget about the largeness of a commercial greenhouse. These are nothing
like the warmth and ambience of your personal greenhouse. You will have a
greenhouse on a much smaller scale, a place to house your personal choices in
plants, flowers and fruits and vegetables. You will also have a very handy place
to do the work you need to do without being interrupted. You will be in your own
domain and not under someone else’s green thumb.
Owning your own greenhouse sure saves you a bundle when it comes time for buying
seeds. You can capture your own seeds from your garden and then transfer those
to your greenhouse. This saves money during the springtime.
As you spend more time with your greenhouse, you will be amazed by how many
seeds you can start there. You will learn more about growing and rely less and
less on the commercial growers! In no time at all, your greenhouse will begin to
pay for itself.
When you own your own greenhouse, you will have the opportunity to expand it as
just a hobby. You can become equipped grow flowers, vegetables and plants all
through the year. Having your own greenhouse means you can be free of growing
just for spring growing seasons. You can grow throughout the entire year. This
is true even if you do not wish for the expenses of heating throughout the
winter months.
Begin by planting seeds, March through April and then plan to plant again, May
through June. During the cooler temperatures, place your plants in the
greenhouse. This will mean a much longer life span for your flowers and
vegetables.
Another good reason for owning a greenhouse is that you can plant and harvest
your own organic foods, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. This will save on your
grocery bills and will also make for very healthy eating. Those with food
allergies and chemical sensitivities prefer to eat organic foods and this makes
owning a greenhouse ideal for them.
Building and owning a greenhouse is pure pleasure for the entire family. Each
member can have their own little organic corner where they are in control.
Watching a plant begin from seed and then grow into plants is a delight.
From Little to Plentiful
Your greenhouse has so much to offer you. Have you ever taken the time to think
about all of the plenty that your greenhouse does offer you?
When you take a walk through the front door of your imagined greenhouse, what do
you see? Your every sense will come alive with colour, scent and sight! You will
feel alive in every sense of the word. Everywhere there will be new growth! It
is pure delight! If you are ever feeling homebound, just peek you head inside
your greenhouse for an instant boost of pure energy.
As you return to your hobby greenhouse, you have the pleasure of knowing that
your tomatoes life span will continue into the fall. By the time the Christmas
holidays come along, you will have ripe and fresh tomatoes to enjoy.
You will save money by buying your seeds in bulk from catalogues or, perhaps, by
trading seeds with friendly gardeners for free. You can next start your flowers
and plants come January. You will feel like quite the garden manager!
You spend so many hours at work and running to meet the needs of others that
when you spend a little time doing something that you really enjoy you feel more
worthwhile inside. You can start and grow trees and shrubs without the worry of
deer and other animals coming and eating them when they are small and
vulnerable. Starting and keeping your trees and shrubs indoors for a year will
give them an extra edge so they can grow larger and stronger before being faced
by animals.
If you want to be on your own, away from the clatter of life, you can simply
walk down the aisles of your greenhouse and reflect on your day. All around you
are the great creations of nature that you had a hand in yourself! This is very
nourishing to the spirit and helps you to gather your thoughts in a positive
reflection.
If you are a mother, you can bring your children to the greenhouse and teach
them the lessons of the earth. They can get your hands dirty with Mother Nature
and then watch as their plants grow and flourish!
You can start to grow early on and watch the beauty of your own bounty before
all of those who do not have a greenhouse. You will enjoy your spring flowers
and vegetables early!
Your neighbours and your friends might watch you and wish that they, too, had a
terrific greenhouse! As you tend to your plants year round, you feel fulfilled
inside, as you are doing something that is very important. Helping to bring
wholesome and natural foods to your family’s table each day brings its own
reward!
You spend so much time each day running here and there and always doing for
others, with your own greenhouse, what you do there is for you and for those you
choose to share your bounty. This brings a sense of satisfaction.
Owning a personal greenhouse brings with it many rewards – perhaps the most
important being the feeling of extreme accomplishment that comes from all of the
hard work you do there. It is time very well spent and enjoyed!
Buying a Greenhouse Checklist
Framework
__ Aluminium - wood if beautiful, but our aluminium frames are longer lasting
and maintenance-free.
__ Painted Aluminium - best appearance, looks new for many years.
Glazing
__ Tempered safety glass
__ Twin Wall or Opal
__ Triple Wall
__ Glass walls, Twin Wall or Opal roof
Foundation
__ Pressure treated timbers (up to 200 sq. ft greenhouse)
__ Concrete/block base wall
__ Concrete slab/tile
Note: Outside dimensions of greenhouse foundation are given under "Actual Sizes"
on the price charts.
Floor
If you have not poured a concrete slab, you will need a walkway down the middle
of your greenhouse. First, lay down landscape fabric (#2380) over the entire
floor. For an aisle of bricks: frame the walkway with treated 2 x 4 lumber, lay
down 2" of crushed rock, then 1" of sand, and set the bricks with 3/8" spacing.
A final touch might be to plant lemon thyme between the bricks! Finish the
remainder of the floor with 2" of pea gravel.
__ Aisle pavers/bricks, Pea gravel under benches
__ All pavers - provides good drainage
__ Concrete slab/tile - not too smooth or it gets slippery. Provide for
drainage.
Accessories
__ Benches
__ Shading
__ Heating
__ Air Circulation
__ Misting System
__ Other
Lisa Roberts, in her essay, A Garden of
Glass, calls greenhouses ‘conservatories”. A rather odd word to use, because
we’ve always associated conservatories with places where we learn music or
forced to learn music by fussy parents.
Thinking about it, however, greenhouses are music to everyone’s ears. They have
come to signify the human race’s fondness for protecting plants – be they exotic
species from distant lands or simply common, home-grown vegetables.
Greenhouses also signify man’s wonder at seeing life take shape from beginning
to end. There’s something about a seed that mystifies and stimulates human
imagination. Greenhouses are also about self-sufficiency and good nutrition.
Many centuries ago, greenhouses were the monopoly of Europe’s aristocratic
classes. At that time, only the moneyed were able to import rare and exotic
plants from foreign countries and had the resources to erect expensive
structures in which to store their precious possessions.
Happily that monopoly turned into a commodity that even ordinary, unschooled
people could have. As styles and designs evolved quickly, greenhouses were now
within reach of schools, universities and hobbyists searching for an endeavour
that could bring joy and pleasure to their hearts.
Greenhouses not only became plant protectors, cultivators and all-season
enclaves for growing plant forms, but also a refuge for weary souls, and clean
entertainment for amateur and expert horticulturists bored by the outside world.
The greenhouse was a welcome escape from the urban decay that characterized
cities in transition. And once they’ve tasted fresh, juicy tomatoes or rich red
sweet strawberries “harvested” in the greenhouse, consumers would rather shun
the bland supermarket varieties that pale in comparison with greenhouse babies.
It isn’t difficult to imagine how Joseph Paxton must have enjoyed life with an
overdose of zest. He was enriched by life because he gave back to it in so many
ways. “You reap what you sow” is an appropriate way to describe his
horticultural tasks, because the Crystal Palace has been acclaimed by many as a
piece of architectural art that is unsurpassed.
A gardener for large estates in England, Paxton stumbled upon greenhouse design
and construction. The Crystal Palace, which was his creation, was as long as 18
football fields and as wide as 8, and beat other greenhouses that were built in
the twenty years preceding the birth of the Crystal Palace.
Mr. Paxton built another greenhouse for the purpose of housing and preserving
only one plant – the giant Victoria Regia lily. The Duke of England at that time
wanted to bring the flower to England and propagate it to be given as a gift to
the queen.
It was in the greenhouse that Paxton built where the plant had produced 126
blooms during the following year. Mr. Paxton must have been ecstatic for earning
such admirable brownie points.
Greenhouses have made people who don’t own these structures green with envy;
many have gone ahead to build one in their back gardens. Most important of all,
greenhouses have made people appreciate the meaning of life, bringing them
closer to the soil that nurtures the food that keeps them alive.
