Net Yourself A Greenhouse
Net Yourself A Greenhouse
By: Tammy Mathis
Books, airline tickets and computer software. What do those items have in common with gardening? Nothing really, but they are all items I have purchased off the internet. And recently, I decided to "go shopping," or, rather "browsing" at this point, for a backyard greenhouse.
The options offered on the web are endless. Greenhouses offer the flexibility gardeners need to embark on projects that they might not otherwise try. Seed starting, propagating, growing tropical plants, etc. are all projects that can be more successful when completed in a greenhouse. And after surfing several sights, the first thing that is apparent is that there are many choices available when purchasing a greenhouse.
Fortunately, with all these choices, most gardeners can afford the financial and space requirements needed to add a greenhouse to their gardening tools. The size of the greenhouse, type of materials, investment of time and money are all choices available to you.
From small kit greenhouses that can fit into the tiniest backyard, to the large, beautiful glass structures that are bigger than many small apartments, every gardener should consider the following before choosing the greenhouse that best suits his or her needs. This information is an accumulation from several different sites on the web. Your local hardware store, home improvement store or nursery may also carry greenhouses and/or the components to create one of your own.
Usage
It is first very important to consider how you will be using your greenhouse. If you simply wish to start transplants for the spring, you may want to consider a small, inexpensive house. If you aspire to propagate, overwinter your tender potted plants, and start flats of seedlings, a larger structure may be in store for you. Also, will your greenhouse serve practical purposes only, or will it be an architectural element in your property’s overall design? Considering exactly what size and style you need will help keep the costs down. Consider also that larger structures may require a building permit in your area.
Components
Just as houses are built, greenhouses are supported with a frame. The frame can be one of several different materials or a combination thereof.
Galvanized steel is a long-lasting option that can add permanency to your structure. Texas Greenhouse Co., Inc. (www.texas-greenhouse.com) offers a house with a steel substructure and aluminum frame. Aluminum is another metal that is used and is more expensive than steel. Aluminum is available in colors and, according to Aarons Creek Farms website (www.little-greenhouse.com) is mainly used in architectural applications or when a greenhouse is attached to your home.
Wood is another material used in the frame. Some of the kit greenhouses (mail-order that you assemble) require that you purchase the wood locally. The concern with wood, of course, would be rotting and insect damage. Many specifications in the kit greenhouses recommend buying treated wood. Most lumberyards offer a guarantee on their wood. If this is a concern to you, take care to find out what grade of wood and what its guarantees are, before purchasing. Garden.com (www.garden.com) offers a house framed with redwood that purportedly will not rot.
PVC framing is one that is commonly seen in the kit greenhouses you can order through seed catalogs. The benefits are obvious – easy to assemble, easy to move, lightweight, inexpensive.
But, remember the strong Texas winds that can blow through anytime of year. If you choose a house with this frame, you will need to secure it as best as possible to the ground or wooden base.
In addition to picking the appropriate frame, you will need to consider the covering. This can range from glass to different plastics to fiberglass. They all have unique properties and depending on where you place yours, you may want to discuss the effects of thermal radiation on each with the manufacturer. You can find scientific papers discussing this on the internet, but for this discussion I prefer to stick to the basics. Glass coverings are aesthetically more pleasing, but remember what you have heard about glass houses! The plastic, while not as beautiful, will not shatter as glass does.
There are several different types of plastics: polycarbonate, acrylic sheeting and polyethylene film. Glass is available mainly with steel framing and redwood framing. Unless you are uniquely qualified, you will need to hire a contractor or the manufacturer to install this type of greenhouse. If you desire to improve your existing grounds with a showcase greenhouse, this is the best fit.
However, if cost is a factor you may choose one of the plastics. Polycarbonate is a two-layer plastic that looks like cardboard at its edge. It retains heat better than glass and is stronger than polyethylene film. Polyethylene film is another option that is available in different thicknesses and is what you see at local superstores when they put up temporary greenhouses for the season. It transmits light better than polycarbonate, but must be replaced more often. How often depends on weather conditions and how many layers you choose to use. Aarons Creek Farms has a good discussion of the various plastics on its website. Fiberglass retains heat better than the other coverings but is not as friendly to light transmission.
Cost
Clearly an important factor for most of us – cost ranged from around $250 to $15,000 depending on the type of greenhouse and size and whether assembly was provided. The smaller versions (8 feet by 10 feet) were found to range from $250 to around $4,000.
The cheaper versions were greenhouse kits that included fiberglass or polyethylene film and often require that the customer purchase wood locally. According to one supplier, it is more economical to buy the wood locally than to have it shipped. This seemed common practice with the sites I checked. Toward the higher end for the same size, a customer can purchase a redwood and glass structure that also requires assembly (Garden.com). A regional company, Texas Greenhouse Co., Inc. can install a simple glass and steel structure.
For those do-it-yourselfers, there are a lot of companies that offer greenhouse parts and supplies in addition to the kits that can be ordered. Purchasing your house’s components a la carte may be the best choice if you have the talents to build your own greenhouse. Greenhouse plans are also available.
When purchasing any kit, be sure to ask for a detailed list of what is included. Price differences may reflect included options such as venting and heater systems or shelving and benches. Keep these options in mind when comparing prices. Depending on what your needs are, you may want one or more of these.
I hope all of these choices do not leave you as confused as I am! Just keep in mind – why you want one, how much you can afford, and how excited you will be when you have the first tomato on the block!
SOURCES
Here is a listing of the companies listed above and then some.
Aarons Creek Farms, Inc.
380 Greenhouse Drive
Buffalo Junction, VA 24529
804-374-2174
www.littlegreenhouse.comCascade Greenhouse Supply
214 21st SE
Auburn, WA 98002
1-800-353-0264Charley’s Greenhouse Supply
17979 Hwy. 536
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
800-233-3248
www.charleysgreenhouse.comHobby Gardens
P. O. Box 83
Grand Isle, VT 05458
802-372-4041
www.hobbygardens.comHoop House
Greenhouse Kits
1358 Rt. 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
508-760-5191
800-760-5192
www.hoophouse.comTexas Greenhouse Co., Inc.
2524 White Settlement Rd.
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
800-227-5447
www.texasgreenhouse.com