A greenhouse makes a wonderful addition to the modern garden. It will provide a range of benefits at very little cost. If you’re so minded, you can buy a ready-made one and install it in a suitable location. On the other hand, you might look into building a greenhouse that exactly matches your needs and the available space.
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Benefits of a backyard greenhouse
First, let’s think about why you might want to build a greenhouse in the first place. A greenhouse effectively extends the growing season for certain sorts of warmth-dependent plants. It also provides shelter, ensuring that crops aren’t ruined by sudden spells of bad weather.
Selecting the right location
Getting the best from your greenhouse means selecting the right location. Look for somewhere flat, which receives plenty of sunlight throughout the year. If you want to grow throughout the year, you’ll want to align the ridge of the roof from east to west. This will help you to get the maximum possible sunlight. Finally, it’s worth leaving a bit of space around the sides of the structure, so that glass panels can be easily replaced.
Essential materials and tools
In most cases, a greenhouse will be positioned at the other end of the garden to your house. Unless you want to rely on a long extension lead, it’s worth investing in battery-powered tools. A high-output, five-amp-hour battery like the Milwaukee m12 battery will tend to last for the duration of the project, especially if all you’re doing is screwing and riveting.
Traditionally, greenhouses are made from a metal frame and glass panels. On the other hand, swapping out the glass for modern alternatives like acrylic or polycarbonate will tend to result in a stronger structure. You won’t have to worry about the greenhouse shattering during a hailstorm!
Design and Construction Tips
If you want to limit the amount of time your spend watering your plants, you might look at various forms of irrigation. Capillary matting will release and absorb moisture according to the plant’s requirements. You might also use a special pipe with many holes poked in it, perhaps with the help of some control circuitry and a Raspberry Pi.
You’ll also want to think about ventilation. When the air is stagnant and filled with moisture, disease will tend to result. A few adjustable vents will help you to deal with the problem. Again, these can be hooked up to automatic controls.
Maintaining Your Greenhouse Year-Round
Getting the best from your greenhouse means keeping an eye on it throughout the year. That means not just visiting it every day, but staying on top of small jobs like tidying away tools and keeping plants watered as they’re being nurtured from the first seedlings.
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