Building Greenhouses Today
Living the green way with fresh flowers and veggies

A new greenhouse for growing better plants and a greater variety of veggies and flowers will take some time to set up as well as a bit of regular maintenance if you wish to maintain healthy and growing plants.  It is definitely worth the amount of time it takes.

If you live in an area with especially cold winters, you will need to heat your plants to a regulated temperature or they will freeze.  If you grow any type of exotic tropical plants, they may need to be heated all year around.  There are many different types of heaters available for your greenhouse.

Most greenhouses are heated with some type of electrical heater as they will not damage your plants.  It can become expensive, however.  Any heater should be waterproof and if you live in an area with frequent power outages, you may need some type of backup power as plants can freeze in a short period of time.  There are also gas operated heating systems but if the gas levels are not closely watched, it can leak and cause harm to people, animals, and plants.

The least expensive heating method is with solar panels.  They can be installed on the greenhouse roof or in surrounding areas.  The solar panels can be quite expensive initially and are only useful when there is plenty of sunlight to keep them working.

Just as cold in winter will damage your plants, the heat in the summer can be a problem.  When it is too hot, your plants can dry out as the heat becomes trapped.  A good thermometer is necessary to monitor the temperature in your greenhouse.  Adequate ventilation on the sides and/or roof is necessary and you also may need to use a shade cloth if the sun becomes too strong.

You may be just as happy with a miniature greenhouse if you only need room for a few plants.  These smaller greenhouses may be portable and are often made with a light plastic instead of wood and glass.

If you have a glass greenhouse, it is important to keep the glass cleaned with a solution that will not harm the plants.  A simple solution of white vinegar and water will disinfect and clean the glass and will not pose any danger to your plants.  It is also good for cleaning the windows in your home!

Insects may also become a problem as they can quickly destroy your plants.  If you notice any problem with insects, you may have to remove all your plants and fumigate to remove any insect population.  I prefer to find the most natural method of extermination possible but chemicals may be necessary.

With a well-maintained greenhouse, your flowers, plants, and veggies will have a healthy space to live and thrive.  You will be able to have plants that you would not normally be able to grow in your particular area and you can grow them for much longer periods of time in the year—possibly all year long!