Are you a certified plant lover? If so, you might want to consider building your very first greenhouse. But before you do, it’s important first to understand what a greenhouse is.
A greenhouse is a custom-built, transparent structure designed for growing and cultivating plants. Usually, it has walls made of glass or plastic that permit sunlight to pass through. This creates controlled conditions ideal for raising a wide variety of plants.
Historically, greenhouses date back to the times of the Roman Empire. Legend has it that Emperor Tiberius forced his gardeners to grow cucumbers all year round by using a system similar to a modern-day greenhouse. In doing so, he could eat cucumbers as much as he pleased.
However, building a greenhouse may not be as simple as you think. There are many pitfalls and loopholes you’ll have to avoid during the process. So, what mistakes do you have to prevent when building a greenhouse?
Fortunately, this post has got you covered; here are some of the most common mistakes you should avoid when building your very own greenhouse:
1. Not Choosing the Right Location
Location is one of the crucial factors often neglected when building a greenhouse. As you know, greenhouses work by absorbing sunlight, which is then converted into heat. This process provides a suitable condition essential for photosynthesis – a reaction crucial for plant growth and development. So, where should greenhouses be built?
Greenhouses should be built in a location where there’s nothing that may block the sunlight from passing through. In that case, establishing them to the south of another building will be a good idea. If your circumstances don’t allow it, you may consider establishing it on the east or southeast portion of the building for maximum sunlight absorption.
Nevertheless, if you’re situated in a hot and arid location, it’ll be best to build a greenhouse in a location where there are enough trees to cover it from the direct heat of the sun. In this case, your best option would be deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, and elm, to help protect your plants from the heat during summer and spring.
But don’t worry because deciduous trees shed their leaves during fall. This allows sunlight to pass through and still provide heat for your greenhouse.
2. Not Choosing the Right Colour of Greenhouse
Colour is one essential thing you must consider when building a greenhouse. It may affect the amount of sunlight that may pass through the structure, so choosing the right one is extremely important. That said, here are the colours and their corresponding effect on greenhouses you might need to know:
- Green: This is the least influential in planting growth and development. However, it might be useful for plant structure and architecture, especially when reflecting excess light and reducing its intensity.
- Red: A red-coloured greenhouse that produces red light may result in reduced plant height but may produce better fruit yield. Also, it promotes accelerated and prolonged flowering. This is why it’s best suited in greenhouses designed for fruit and flower gardening.
- Blue: Blue light often results in higher fruit yield, number, and weight. Plants grown in this colour usually exhibit shorter height and greener leaves, making it perfect for cultivating dark leafy greens, such as arugula and kale.
- Yellow: Yellow lighting has the least effect on plant growth and development. This is why they’re often not recommended by most expert gardeners.
- Clear: A clear greenhouse allows natural light to penetrate the structure and is best for plant growth and development. For a transparent greenhouse, you may use glass, plastic film, polycarbonates, or fibreglass cover.
3. Choosing the Wrong Greenhouse
If you’re aiming to grow healthy plants, never go for the cheapest option in the market. Choosing the most inexpensive greenhouse might be tempting, considering the money you can save. However, it may lead to gardening inefficiencies and significant financial losses.
But this doesn’t mean choosing the most expensive greenhouse you can find, either. Even if you have the priciest structure in the market, it wouldn’t mean anything if you lack the means to support it. This is why monetary value should never be the determining factor when choosing a greenhouse.
Instead, go for the greenhouse best suited for your gardening needs and, of course, your budget. Here are some of the most common types you might want to know:
- Wooden Greenhouses: This type exudes a classic and traditional look that makes it visually stunning. Also, wood is a natural insulator, which can help your plants grow beautifully, especially in wintertime. However, it’s prone to rotting due to moisture and mould growth, which may cost you a lot of money and time to repair.
- Aluminum Greenhouses: Unlike a wooden greenhouse, aluminum doesn’t rot or suffer from pest infestation. However, it’s susceptible to damage brought by strong winds and extreme blizzards. So, take every precaution you can if you decide on going in this direction. Also, it’s more expensive compared to wooden greenhouses.
4. Not Using the Right Covering Material
Aside from knowing the right color, it’s also important to consider the type of material you’ll use for your greenhouse covering. Such materials will have a significant effect on the amount of light that may pass through and heat that’s retained within the structure. Some of the things you may want to know about certain materials are as follows:
- Polyethylene Plastic (PE): Polyethylene plastic is one of the most common materials used to cover greenhouses. Not only does it allow 85% of natural light to penetrate the structure, but it’s also a cheaper option. Regular PE may last up to two years with proper cleaning.
- Glass: Unlike PE, glass allows 90% when clean of light to enter the structure and reach your plants when clean. Also, it’s far more durable compared to PE; unfortunately, they’re extremely expensive.
- Polycarbonate: Similar to glass, polycarbonate materials allow 90% of natural light to enter the structure. Also, it’s a hard-wearing material that may last up to ten years and is less expensive than a glass covering.
- Fiberglass: This is another durable and flexible material that allows 75% to 90% of natural light to pass through the structure. Also, it has the longest lifespan among the given options. Fiberglass greenhouses may last up to 20 years, making them the best option for permanent structures. In addition, it has greater heat retention, which makes it the best candidate for colder regions
When choosing the right type of material, it’s best to consider your goals. Do you prefer a cheaper substitute? Are you looking for a solution fit for long-term investments and goals? Do you want the sturdiest and most flexible option? Answering these questions will help you find the best material for your greenhouse gardening needs.
5. Forgetting to Include Digital Thermometers
When building a greenhouse, it’s important to include a digital thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the structure. As you know, proper temperature is crucial for better plant growth and development. With a digital thermometer, you’ll be able to know when to adjust the temperature.
Typically, the ideal temperature inside the greenhouse should be around 24°C (75°F) to 29°C during the day and around 18°C to 21°C at night. When the winter comes, the temperature should be around 18°C to 21°C during the day and around 7°C at night.
To maintain the ideal temperature, you may use extra cloth to limit the light entering your greenhouse during summer. You might also consider utilizing additional heating elements to maintain temperature levels, especially in colder climates. Also, think about using digital thermometers that can detect relative humidity, one of the factors critical in preventing heat damage in plants.
6. Creating Improper Proper Ventilation
Improper ventilation is a common mistake most gardeners often forget when building greenhouses. Proper air circulation is crucial in growing crops and promoting healthy temperatures. Without it, your plants will contract various diseases and die. This is why it’s important to design your greenhouse so air circulates in and out of the structure effectively.
When it comes to greenhouse ventilation, you can choose between passive or active ventilation. You may even combine the two to reinforce better air circulation inside the greenhouse. However, what’s the difference between passive and active ventilation?
Passive Ventilation
This type is the cheapest way to provide better and sufficient airflow throughout your greenhouse. All you need to do is include strategic ventilation points in the structural design of your greenhouse. These points include roll-up slides, roof vents, and wall vents.
Roll-up slides and wall vents let fresh air freely enter the structure, while roof vents allow stagnant air to rise and leave the space. Also, it’s worth noting that roof vents are much more effective compared to side vents. This means that your greenhouse can survive without wall vents and roll-up slides but not without roof vents.
Active Ventilation
Yes, you guessed it right! Active ventilation doesn’t rely on Mother Nature to improve air circulation around the greenhouse. Instead, it uses giant fans to force air to flow in and out of the structure.
However, using fans can be costly, especially when it comes to their ongoing maintenance. But who cares? As long as they can provide better air circulation compared to passive ventilation, additional expenses are something you shouldn’t worry about.
Final Words
Building a greenhouse can be tricky and challenging, but it shouldn’t be in the first place. With the proper knowledge of all the mistakes you have to avoid, you’ll be able to establish a greenhouse that’ll allow you to grow plants and harvest crops bountifully.
Aside from the mistakes mentioned in this article, you may also use some tips discussed above to help build the right greenhouse for you and your gardening needs.
