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Greenhouses are ideal for creating a climate-controlled environment where you can grow any number of fruits, veggies, flowers, and other plants. While in modern times incorporating one of these wonderful inventions isn’t quite as possible as it used to be, we’re here to give you the steps to incorporate one of them into your yard. This way, you can grow your own produce with greater ease and enjoy a lush garden with pleasant climate, whatever the weather.
That's why we’ve compiled a guide with the most important steps for erecting your very own greenhouse! From deciding on the frame and construction materials to understanding the finer points of ventilation and electrical access, here’s what you need to know to build the perfect greenhouse right in your own backyard.
First and foremost, as with just about any construction or renovation project, it’s best to sit down and define your budget. Projects can easily become quite costly if we don’t rein ourselves in and keep our priorities in mind.
Some figures you’ll want to take into account regarding the budget include materials, heating costs, professional installation, and electricity costs. There are lots of different greenhouses that come in a range of sizes and are made with a variety of different materials to accommodate lots of budgets. We recommend spending a bit of time searching online as well in order to compare prices.
Now that you’ve figured out the finances for this project, it’s time to get literal. The first step is to choose a place in your yard that will offer sufficient sunlight for the greenhouse. One of the most important criteria in making this decision is to find a spot that is facing south. The reason for this is that a south-facing greenhouse will be most exposed to the sun in the sky as it passes from east to west each day. The morning sunlight is especially important for activating plant growth. Naturally, your greenhouse will need a good deal of sun exposure to function at its best.
Lastly, remember that the sun’s path in the sky will be affected by the change of seasons unless you live on the equator. If you’re feeling a bit worried about the specifics of placement, this is certainly something a greenhouse installation professional can clarify based on the dimensions of your yard.
Next, you’ll want to ensure that the area you choose to build the greenhouse is well drained and has direct access to electricity. This is because the greenhouse’s climate is regulated with the help of heating and ventilation. Plus, you’ll want to have some lights in the greenhouse. Thus, you don’t want it to be too far from an electrical source, whether that's your home or a separate generator (we recommend the latter). If you’d like to get really fancy, however, you could also opt for some photovoltaic solar panels to power the electrical needs of your greenhouse.
As for the draining, you’ll want to control the moisture level in the greenhouse to best meet the needs of the plants you’re growing there. To help with the drainage, you can simply bring in some gravel or sand to aid in this process as we can see in this greenhouse design by Greenhouse Stores. With this, it’s a good idea to level the ground upon which you plan to build the greenhouse. Adding some rainwater collection receptacles to the greenhouse floor will help you conserve water and therefore cut costs.
Before you start the actual building process, you’ll need to purchase the building materials. We advise you do some research before deciding which materials will best fit your needs and budget. You’ll need to gather sufficient supplies for the greenhouse frame, roof, walls and flooring. It’s likely that you’ll want to purchase some tables and shelving for placing the plants, but we’ll touch more on this aspect later.
While it might seem that most greenhouses are made with wooden or metal frames and glass panes, this is not always the case. Greenhouses can also be comprised of corrugated plastic sheeting, film, or polycarbonate paneling. These materials have certain benefits regarding the harnessing of heat and sunlight. Typically, you will find that most greenhouses today are made up of a combination of different materials.
Most often, greenhouses are shaped like a small house with a gabled roof. (Be warned that this option requires a foundation.) In actuality, there are lots of different forms your greenhouse can take depending on the frame you choose.
Certainly, a dome-shaped greenhouse like this one allows for increased sun exposure while it is simultaneously quite pleasing on the eye. The Quonset frame – a structure comprised of a half dome ceiling and an elongated base - is another popular option. Then there is the lean-on style, which features a slanted roof and shares a wall with the main house or garage. Common materials used in the frame are aluminium, wood, plastic and PVC pipes.
As for the roof of your greenhouse, choose the material in your budget that allows for the most direct penetration of light. Glass is generally an ideal option for this, and we suggest that if you plan to splurge anywhere in your greenhouse project it’s here.
If this is out of the question, there are other effective options that are also a little easier on your bank account. For instance, UV stabilised polyethylene works quite well in greenhouses with dome shaped roofs. High quality fibreglass and polycarbonate plastic film can also do the trick particularly with greenhouses that have Quonset roofs.
We’ve discussed the importance of climate regulation through the use of electrical heating and so forth. Equally as important to your greenhouse is the ventilation it receives. Ventilation will help to balance the temperature and humidity of the greenhouse as well as regulate the carbon dioxide levels in the space. Remember, plants release a good deal of carbon dioxide as they photosynthesize.
Furthermore, ventilation will help to keep mould and other plant pathogens at bay. If you’re wondering just how exactly to create sufficient ventilation in your greenhouse, start by adding some adjustable vents in the ceiling, as we can see in this example.
If you’re feeling a bit intimidated by all of the supply requirements needed for starting a greenhouse, you’re in luck. There are plenty of effective starter kits on the market for beginners. There are even starter kits that come equipped with a pop up greenhouse for a reasonable price. This is an ideal choice for someone who has little to no experience with a greenhouse and would like to get some practice with cultivating plants in one before investing in a permanent structure.
These greenhouses will usually need to be taken down once the weather gets cold. There are also semi-permanent greenhouses made with wood or metal frames that can withstand the elements a little better. There are also greenhouse plant starter kits that come complete with a multitude of seeds that have high yields in the typical greenhouse environment.
If you found this guide helpful, check out these tips for growing vegetables in a small garden. Happy decorating!
