With all the different shapes, sizes and types of garden greenhouses out there today, it is no wonder that some people find it very difficult to make a decision. What people sometimes forget to think about is what they are going to grow in that house.
If orchids are what you will be growing, you will need to get a decent medium sized greenhouse. However, if you want to grow some small trees, i.e. lemon tree or large bushes, you will need a larger greenhouse. For some people who just want to extend the growing season of what they already have, a small portable greenhouse or cold frame may do the trick.
The next step is to evaluate where you live and determine if there are any special needs that will need to be addressed with your wonderful greenhouse. Some of those can include snow load, severe winds and cold weather. This will help you decide on any additional equipment you may need outside of the vents and fans that are required.
If you live in areas that have unusually high winds or heavy snows, make sure your greenhouse has a snow load rating that will hold up in your area or rated for high winds. You can also make sure the frame is of a good heavy duty material as well as the panels or rolls that will be the covering. Check your UV rating and see how that will affect your plants as well.
If you live in an area that has a lot of forty-five degree and below nights you will want to invest in a heater. There are electric and propane heaters available and that work very well and it just depends on whether you have an outlet close to your growing house. If you only have a few evenings that reach into these extremes, you can use five gallon buckets on water, heated by the sun, to heat the house.
Always consider your foundation and how you will tie down your greenhouse. You can purchase tie-down kits for most greenhouses and they are highly recommended for all models. For those who live in high wind areas, you may want to buy two sets of the tie-downs just to make sure. Of course, this will depend on the size, style and type of greenhouse you end up using for your family.
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