Home Garden Greenhouse Planning Tips

Before you buy or build a home greenhouse, there are several considerations worth thinking about. With all the numerous shapes, sizes and styles of greenhouses for the home out there, you will save yourself a whole lot of time and irritation with a little forward planning. In the long run, your decision all comes down to the type of plants you want to grow and the available free space in your garden.

Whether you choose a ready made greenhouse or opt to construct your own, you will still be faced with many of the same issues. Size and design together with the type of material such as glass, polycarbonate or aluminum will all need to be taken into account.

When it comes to greenhouse building, one of the most important considerations is the actual site of the structure. Plants require sufficient sunshine to thrive, so you will need to select an area of your garden where sunlight is plentiful. Even if the chosen location is shady, provided it gets sufficient morning sun, it should be perfect.

The amount of sunlight per day is another key factor in planning any greenhouse and is dependent on where in the world you live. More Northerly latitudes will get longer hours of summer sun, but a lot less in the winter. Artificial heating and lighting systems can compensate to a certain extent.

As well as the amount of heat and light, moisture levels are also affected by climate. While humidity levels in some areas are really low in the summer months, other latitudes are the complete opposite with sufficient dampness. The climatic conditions where you live will dictate whether greenhouse irrigation will be required.

You will have to look at what sort of foundation to build or install. This will range from no base at all through to gravel, wood, cement or brick. You should take into account whether you plan to cover the floor with lino, carpeting or tile. Several floor heating systems can function inside these, for example. They also affect how much time and effort in cleaning it you might need to invest.

Of course, all of these considerations will have to be assessed in conjunction with the size and positioning of your proposed greenhouse, which may be restricted by the options available in your garden. You may have trees close to the house in one area, but farther away on the other side. You may have a flat area suitable for a greenhouse, or a hill, that could be flattened out in a day with a bulldozer. Consider, too, the amount of wind, hail and rain you will get in one position versus another.

Of course, the average wind and rainfall over the whole of your property will remain constant but the exact amount at the projected site for your greenhouse may vary depending if there are any walls or trees that could block the wind or shield it from the rain.

The amount of rain on the greenhouse affects how you need to manage drainage around it, and wind forces can be severe when you open the door. Weigh up the orientation of the doors and windows, in conjunction with the positioning on your property. Look at how much water or mud might have a tendency to accumulate around the external walls and the doors.

When building your own or installing a pre made greenhouse, there is no need to transform yourself into an architect although  it will pay dividends to think like one. Without any forward planning, constructing a greenhouse can lead to wasted time and much frustration, let alone the additional cost. Getting it right from the beginning will give you a safe and comfy environment in which to plant, pot and grow whatever your heart desires.