Plastic Greenhouse

Greenhouse Controls

In order to manipulate the environment of your greenhouse there are three basic controls to be aware of: Temperature, Humidity, and Water. Luckily all of these can be maintained auto– or semi-automatically.

For temperature you’ll need a greenhouse thermostat. In fact it is debatably the most important of all greenhouse accessories. Thermostats will keep room temperature at optimal levels if installed correctly. They work in the same way as an in-house thermostat. Whether you grow in harsh weather conditions, or a natural paradise, it's still crucial to maintain constant temperatures. If the temperature ever falls below desired levels a thermostat switches on to heat the room again. You’ll find a great selection of thermostats available in gardening stores or online.

There are many kinds of thermostats on the market today and we recommend sticking with a name brand for quality and durability. For those growing everyday plants without a big budget, there are inexpensive thermostats that automatically keep the temperature between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Research the needs of your plants before deciding upon which thermostat to use. For example: A sensitive plant may need a higher-end thermostat that can narrow the temperature range.

When installing a thermostat, it should be placed near the center of a greenhouse, as close to plant height as possible. A popular way to do this is to erect a piece of wood and then mount the thermostat onto it. It's important to have the thermostat shaded from direct sunlight; also, paint the wood white to prevent it from absorbing heat. Be sure to place the plank of wood in the middle of your greenhouse where it isn’t affected by walls which can lose heat.

Typically, growers have simple plants that require set temperatures. Keeping the temperature between 70-78 degrees Fahrenheit is usually enough to keep most plants healthy. For those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on expensive thermostats, there are several on the market which keep the room at this temperature, and retail for under $20.

A humidistat is an important way to control the humidity of your greenhouse kits or growing area. If you're unsure as to whether you need to worry about the humidity take some measurements. Find out the desired humidity range for your plants, then take several readings of the humidity in your growing area--try late at night, early in the morning, noon, and evening.

There are two main types of humidistat— there are simple humidistat and then more advanced ones that control both the high and low end of the humidity. Most plants don't require such rigid care; a regular humidistat can be used to raise the humidity when it drops too low. If high humidity is also a concern, then a total humidity controller is probably in order. A humidity controller should be easy to use--no more difficult than thermostats. Most come with a dial, and an on-off switch. Turn the dial to select the desired humidity, activate the power source, and you're set--most hook up to any kind of humidity-regulating device.

Many growers use an internet vendor to get a reliable source for their humidistat. In addition to increased selection, a recommended web vendor will offer the most competitive prices possible. For humidity you’ll need a product that keeps the air between 20 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for plants to survive. For plants with special needs you can find products that will keep the humidity within a narrower range. Fortunately, there are automatic humidistats that can keep any room at comfortably humid levels.

Choosing the right bench for your greenhouse.

When people order a potting bench for their greenhouse kits they don't always consider all of their options. Potting benches should be used for transferring plants not for growing and display. For those tasks, there are many decorative styles that facilitate good growth in all plants.

Needless to say, it's important to find a quality resource for your bench needs. Many growers find a good web vendor will lead the pack in terms of both variety and competitive pricing. Browsing a recommended internet vendor is also one of the most efficient methods of finding the ideal greenhouse supplies for your projects.

The first thing to look for in a good potting area is compactness--unless you plan to do your potting outside the greenhouse. You should be using as much room as possible for growing, so a narrow bench with shelves for tools is often the best way. There are several unique style of potting stands--many find that wooden benches prove to be the most eye-appealing and sturdy.

For benches to hold your growing plants, adjustability is often a key factor. There are many different uses for adjustable benches--sprout twice as many seedlings, and then remove a shelf to make room for growth. Hanging benches can also be an excellent way to display growing plants, as well as a creative space-saver. PVC fittings can also be an inexpensive way to create your own personal potting benches and growing shelves.

PVC Fittings for Your Greenhouse

Many people opt to use specialty PVC fittings to create their own functional works. There are a range of structures which can be created using custom PVC fittings. It's important to have a resource that shows you all kinds of PVC furniture fittings and how to use them, which is why many plant growers prefer to browse a recommended web vendor.

One of the most popular PVC project is a pipe greenhouse--simple to construct, yet can extend your growing season by several months. There are websites which diagram how to make a greenhouse from PVC pipes. Know your dimensions before ordering--all specialty PVC fittings will have a variety of possible connectors. One benefit a PVC greenhouse provides is expandability--it's easy to make your greenhouse larger when the time is right. If you need to hang lights to provide extra growing support, check out inexpensive light hanging systems made from PVC pipe. PVC structures are so light, they're practically portable, and can be disassembled for easy storage.

With all of the specialty PVC fittings available, anyone can take on their dream project using custom PVC fittings. There are several great items you can build from PVC, not the least of which are greenhouses and cold frames. You can even build greenhouse accessories for potting or growing plants. Once you've finished making your greenhouse from PVC materials, it's time to build the insides. PVC fittings can be used to create your own personal potting benches and growing shelves. PVC hanging shelves and potting benches look great and can hold a lot of weight. There's no limit to the designs you can make, and they can easily collapse or expand, should your growing needs ever change. Don't forget to look into pipe snap clamps--they can be the easiest way to attach a covering to your greenhouse.

Finding a good source for custom PVC fittings is simple; just look for the six main PVC parts--besides the tubing, that is. Most growers prefer to use the Internet when they want to maximize their convenience and savings. A recommended web vendor should have a wide selection of PVC accessories.

Choosing a Greenhouse

If you are a garden novice and want to pursue greenhouse gardening then it is best to start with a small but expandable greenhouse kit. If you want to start very small, around eight or less plants, then a cold frame is a good choice. They are especially beneficial for cold-weather growers as they are fantastic at temperature regulation. You can purchase or build your own cold frame with PVC pipe fittings.

There are many fine brand names which make small easy-to-assemble greenhouse kits. Cape Cod is one of them. Cape Cod provides a lifetime of quality service, as does Juliana. To find the perfect growing house for your needs, find a web resource that lets you browse through many products by several different brands.

If you do have some greenhouse gardening experience don’t snub greenhouse kits. They make year-round, professional gardening simple. Sunshine brand greenhouses have the added benefit of redwood to add both regulated heat and aesthetic pleasure to your backyard greenhouse.

Be sure to research the best greenhouses for your area’s weather. Those who want to use a greenhouse in an area that gets a lot of snow needs to consider several things. First, a slanted roof will be necessary to keep snow from collecting. You might also want to buy snow-proof deer repellent since cold stretches tend to attract unwanted animals to greenhouses. For just, plain cold-weather, a cold frame greenhouse is definitely the way to go--cold frames trap heat from the sun, and keep the cold air out, making it easier to regulate temperature. During sudden freezes, it can often help to cover your cold frame with sacks of straw or leaves. By planning ahead and researching your climate you’ll soon know what will work best for you.

Other considerations before purchasing a greenhouse are: How many plants do you want to grow? What are their specific needs? Taking the time to figure this out will save you confusion and make your greenhouse experience all the more enjoyable.

Greenhouse Gardening as a Hobby

For people who would like to do more gardening but live in a short growing season area, a hobby greenhouse is the answer. A hobby greenhouse is not large enough to produce vegetables or flowers on a commercial basis. It will, however, give you a place for a tomato plant or two and some fresh greens even if you live in the northern regions.

Greenhouse enthusiasts even have their own association, called the Hobby Greenhouse Association, which publishes a quarterly magazine. The organization also sponsers events and helps individuals connect to get help with the aspect of gardening that they are interested in, whether it's growing cacti or saving seeds.

Check out the Hobby Greenhouse Association and connect with others who share your greenhouse gardening passion.

If you are in the market for a hobby greenhouse, there are several types on the market. The smallest type is not large enough to walk into and must be accessed from the outside. It resembles an old-fashioned phone booth made all of glass and outfitted with shelves. This type is designed to fit as many plants as possible in as small a place as possible. The shelves are made of glass to allow as much light as possible to reach plants on the lower shelves. Another inexpensive version of this sort of hobby greenhouse is shelving covered with a zippered tent of clear plastic. This sort of arrangement is great for the small-scale hobby gardener wanting a place to keep her flowers or houseplant starts.

There are a variety of designs of hobby greenhouse that are large enough to walk into but made entirely of clear glass or plastic. They are often about the same size as a small storage building. Some independent builders have started making these to sell locally. Among national brands, one of the nicest is called the "Solar Prism." It is called this because of it's unique construction. This hobby greenhouse is made of a single piece of durable clear plastic which is designed to work like tiny prisms side by side. They trap the rays of the sun and shoot them back into the greenhouse at all angles. For this reason, these little greenhouses are said to glow when the weather is cloudy.

Better hobby greenhouses are equipped with automatic sensors that open vents which allow ventilation and keep the interior temperatures from getting too high. These are a great labor saver, but can get expensive. Another benefit sometimes found in nicer greenhouses is a built in irrigation or misting system. Members of the Hobby Greenhouse Association, or HGA, have invented many interesting designs of greenhouses.

If gardening is your hobby, greenhouse growing will interest you. With a greenhouse, you can have the earliest tomatoes and salad greens all year. You can also start seedlings for the main garden early in the spring when outdoor temperatures would kill them. A hobby greenhouse can be a good investment.

About the author:

By Brigitte Smith