Greenhouses are for “frustrated gardeners”—people in cold climates who want to garden year-round, those who want to grow vegetables in the winter, and those who want to grow plants with special culture requirements, says Janice L. Hale, editor of Hobby Greenhouse magazine. Greenhouses are the answer because you can manipulate the temperature, humidity, light and soil.
A minimal size for a greenhouse is six by eight feet, but Hale recommends going as large as your budget will bear. She thinks 12 by 14 feet would work for most people. “It’s amazing how quickly you can fill up a greenhouse with plants.”
Aluminum is the most common framing material. Wood and steel are other possibilities, with redwood being the most attractive and durable. Greenhouses can be glazed with polyethylene film, rigid plastics, such as acrylic or polycarbonate or glass. A polycarbonate glazing is a good choice because you can get double or triple wall panels that help to provide excellent insulation.
Temperature is controlled by heaters and fans, humidity with a humidifier and misters, and light through the use of shade cloths of various densities. All this enables the gardener to control the climate and maintain a year-round garden.
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Greenhouses provide gardeners with the opportunity to plant year-round.
