Want to build a Greenhouse?

Ask any gardener if they'd like to have a greenhouse and you'll get a resounding “Yes!”. There are many factors that make having your own greenhouse an attractive proposition. A greenhouse allows you to grow out of season. You can use a greenhouse to grow plants that might not thrive in your climate. A home greenhouse can get your spring planting off to a super early start. It's easy to grow your veggies from seed, using heirloom and unusual varieties of plants you won't find at your local nursery. The cost of a ready made greenhouse can be substantial.

When you build a greenhouse, the savings are significant. When you start from seed, not only do you save money over buying starts from the nursery, but you can baby those plants and get a superior plant, as well as a wider choice in varieties. If you'd like to build a greenhouse to enjoy all the benefits a greenhouse offers, it's not so difficult as you might think. It's a step-by-step process almost anyone can do. It can be a weekend process, executed week by week. You'll also gain a lot of satisfaction when you build a greenhouse on your own.

Your first step is to identify your purpose. Your purpose will make a difference in what features you'll need to include in your plans. For example, if you want to raise orchids as a hobby, but you live in a cold climate, you'll need to include some specialized equipment to ensure proper humidity and heat. Maybe you live in a temperate zone, but want to start a little home business, raising starts from seed for local customers, supplying them with all the annuals and perennials they want for their own gardens. Perhaps you want to raise flowers to sell to florists. Each of these objectives requires different equipment. So, when you plan to build a greenhouse, step one is identifying your purpose.
Once you've established your purpose, do a little research online. Check the DIY gardening sites, as well as general garden websites for any number of 'how to build a greenhouse' plans. You'll find a variety of styles and sizes, with detailed plans and diagrams. Examine each of these closely to see which fit your objectives, and are within your skill set.

Take a look at some of the online book vendors too. There are some excellent and inexpensive books devoted entirely to how to build a greenhouse. Sunset Books puts out a book on building greenhouses which includes a number of styles, from a simple window greenhouse to a sophisticated greenhouse structure suited to growing those orchids in Minnesota. Each plan is accompanied with details on the types of special equipment you might need, including venting, fans and heating. These also tell you the advantages of glass versus plastic, the appropriate type of foundation and flooring, as well as how to build staggered benches to maximize your growing space.

Remember, too, if you want to build a greenhouse, the cost of the investigative stage is next to nothing. What have you got to lose? Just think of the rewards!