What’s in Your Greenhouse?

Posted by lindseyshoe

Have you ever considered a green house? Don’t know where to begin? Think they are too expensive? Maybe you have limited space and don’t think there is room for a greenhouse. If you have considered a greenhouse you can have many of your questions answered from how to build one to what to consider when planning a greenhouse. Find out about solar greenhouses and even ones made from 2 liter plastic bottles.

Having grown up with a garden from which we picked, cooked and canned our own fruits and vegetables sometimes I long for freshly grown produce and as often as I can I head to the Farmer’s Market for fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. I admit I did not inherit the green thumb gene from my parents, as we grew everything from standard vegetables like potatoes, carrots, green beans and corn to squash, but also those hard to grow fruits like tomatoes as well as apple and pear trees. But for those who do have the green thumb gene and would like to enjoy organic fruits and vegetables without the worry of having to get up in time to hit the Farmer’s market once a week why not try building your own greenhouse?
With a greenhouse you and your family can enjoy many things from freshly grown herbs and produce. For those wanting even more green, not only in their home but in their overall environment you can have organically grown produce, which is more healthy and better for the environment than the use of pesticides and other chemicals.
What are the benefits of having your own greenhouse?
-you can grow whatever plants you desire (as long as the climate is right for them)
-it can be a fun, entertaining and educational activity for the whole family
-you can recycle salvaged items to create your greenhouse, saving this so called “trash” from landfills
-grow your own fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants organically keeping harmful pesticides from your food and water source
-have a ready source of gifts in the form of plants, flowers or produce
What are the different types of greenhouses?
There are several types of greenhouses to choose from those that are a lean to freestanding structures. A lean to greenhouse takes advantage of an existing wall on a house, garage or storage shed to help you get started. The remaining walls are constructed by you. Another option is a window mounted greenhouse. Window mounted greenhouses can be attached to a side of a house, but not using the main building as a wall. A special window is created to extend out from the house a foot or two and can contain two or three shelves. A free standing structure can vary in size and features, cost much more to create and maintain and use everything from rain barrels to sprinkler systems for watering. Some also include heating and ventilation systems. A suggested minimum size for freestanding green houses is 6ft x 12ft. Also go bigger to give yourself some space for growth. Some greenhouses may not be considered that “green” as they require electricity, while others may operate on solar energy.

What materials are used to build a greenhouse?
You can create your greenhouse with salvaged materials from plastic two liter bottles, PVC pipes, stones, gravel, and wood from a dead tree and even left over screen windows and doors have been used. Materials may include frames made from wood, galvanized steel, or metal pipe frames. Traditionally frames can be covered with glass, rigid fiberglass, double wall plastics or plastic film; however the enterprising individual may find a greener method of covering the frames that can conduct heat.
An alternative is to purchase a new greenhouse from a home improvement store such as Lowes or Home Depot for anywhere between $250 up to $3,000.00 depending on the size and features of your choice of green house. Lastly, you could try to purchase a used greenhouse – try using Craigslist, EBay or your local newspaper classifieds. These are also a good source for locating low costs, if not free greenhouse building materials.
Solar greenhouses may be purchased or created from recycled materials. Benefits of solar greenhouses include: saving the environment by cutting back on the use of electricity, and providing your home with freshly grown produce.
Mini Greenhouses
Standard greenhouses can be a time consuming project; not only to build but to maintain. Or maybe you want your own fresh herbs or plants but have limited space. Why not try greenhouses on for size using plastic bottles (such an empty milk cartons or two liter bottles). To give an indoor greenhouse a try poke holes into the bottle of plastic cartons. Add soil and fine gravel and plant seedlings or seeds. Place the plastic cartons an aluminum pie pan – either from your recycling pile or more sturdy long lasting ones can be gotten at the Goodwill store for pennies. Give growing herbs or other plants a try inside and be surprised by your own green thumb as well as the difference that fresh herbs make in your cooking or the joy someone gets from a new plant or flower given as a gift.
Things to consider before building your greenhouse:
-decide what you plan on growing and how much space you have for your greenhouse
-make the greenhouse bigger than you think you will need so it can grow
-determine what you will be doing about ventilation, heat, humidity and pest control.
-find out about any building permits or restrictions where you live
-include shelves for storage of most often needed items and work tables for your plants
-make sure your wheelbarrow can fit through the door

Even children can build a greenhouse – from Plastic Bottles
Children in both Scotland and Australia have created a greenhouse from plastic 2 liter bottles. Using approximately 1500 plastic bottles they constructed a free standing green house structure. To do this bottles were washed and dried then “strung” onto poles. A frame was constructed using used, but treated wood. Then the poles of bottles were attached, filling in the frame. To see how the greenhouse was constructed visit REAP. Step by step downloadable instructions and photographs are included.
No matter how you may decide build your greenhouse, from a small window greenhouse, prefabricated to recycled, electrical to solar powered; having your own greenhouse for anything from fresh herbs, plants and flowers, to fresh produce helps you, your family and the environment.