Greenhouses come in many shapes and sizes. Bulky greenhouses with a sloping roof are perfect for large gardens, but if you grow only a few plants, you may want to build a leaner version of the same thing.
No matter what type you start out with or make as your first attempt at DIY greenhousing, there are several important things to keep in mind.
Location is key
A sunnier location is a winner. Make sure the greenhouse gets lots of sunlight from all directions. Ideally, your greenhouse should be open to a southerly sky. It is also important to note the ground the greenhouse is built on. If the ground is uneven, you may need to improve your greenhouse foundations.
Keeping plants watered is essential
One of the best parts about a greenhouse is that you can maintain humidity and keep the plants watered. You don’t have to do it as often as you would if you were just leaving them outside – especially if you live in an area with lots of rain. However, you can water when necessary so it doesn’t get too hot and dry in there.
Heat builds up inside greenhouses during the day
During the middle of the day, from August through to October, it can get very hot inside your greenhouse. Make sure that your plants have adequate airflow so that they don’t become too hot. The sun-blocking panels on the roof should be able to open and shut as necessary to help keep the plants cool if you do not have an automatic cooling system.
Sun-blocking panels are important for many reasons
Sun blocking panels are vital as part of your greenhouse temperature control system. Some of the main benefits of these kinds of panels include: helping to regulate temperature, providing light when it is needed, and blocking out intense light or temperature fluctuations when they are not needed.
Get a thermometer
This is quite possibly the most important piece of equipment you should buy for your greenhouse. It will inform you when to ventilate and when to shade. You will also need to know how hot it is inside so that you can water the plants accordingly.
Choose the right pots for your plants
One of the best parts about working with a greenhouse is that you can use virtually any kind of container for your plants. Instead of buying several expensive and large flower pots, you can recycle almost anything in your house.
A greenhouse is one of the best ways to get yourself started in home gardening, and even if you have absolutely no experience with DIY projects or gardening, a greenhouse is an incredibly simple and inexpensive way to gain your first skills and expand on them as you become more experienced.
You should look for a place that gets full sun, ideally in the south or southwest. A south-facing location is ideal.
Greenhouses serve a variety of functions: they are excellent for starting seeds and cuttings, they keep tender plants warm in winter, and they provide a protected place to grow plants that need protection from inclement weather.
