You may be asking yourself, with so many hobby greenhouse kits to choose from, how do I select a greenhouse kit? At the Greenhouse Catalog, we want you to get the most out of your investment. Owning a greenhouse is a rewarding experience that will enhance your life with color and serenity. With so many greenhouses to select from on the market today, finding the right greenhouse may seem like a daunting task. At the Greenhouse Catalog, we have nearly 20 years of experience in helping customers find the greenhouse of their dreams. We believe that the greenhouse you purchase should bring you many years of pleasure. This article will highlight the important features to look for in a greenhouse and help you select the greenhouse kit for your plants and your lifestyle.
1. Find a greenhouse that works
Performance is the most important factor to consider when purchasing a greenhouse. Your greenhouse should make growing your favorite plants as easy as possible and give you outstanding results. Whether you’re looking to simply start some plants in the spring or if you want to heat your greenhouse for year-round growing, you should carefully select a greenhouse that will perform well in your situation.
With so many choices in greenhouses today it can be difficult to find the greenhouse that is truly ideal for your personal needs. The tips below will point out the most important features to look for when selecting a greenhouse. When you understand what makes a greenhouse perform well, you can be sure that you will get the results you expect.
2. Select a greenhouse that provides the right amount of light for your plants
Everyone knows that sunlight is important for plant growth. It may surprise you to know, however, that natural sunlight is not the best light for plants. In fact, direct light may even damage plants. The same harsh rays that cause sunburns in people also can burn your favorite foliage. Studies show that diffused light, the same light provided by Solexx greenhouse panels, is the best light for growing. Growth rates increase 20 to 30 percent under diffused light when compared to plants grown under more direct light.
Diffused light reaches your plants from all angles and produces fewer shade spots. That means plants don’t have to strain to reach towards available light. As a result, the plants develop healthy, compact growth in your greenhouse.
Light diffusion of greenhouse coverings differs greatly. Glass and most single-walled greenhouse covering materials provide minimal, if any, diffusion. Polycarbonate greenhouse covering provides more diffusion than glass, but far less than Solexx. Solexx greenhouse panels provide the best diffused light available. Even on a cloudy day, a Solexx greenhouse is bright inside. Unlike other greenhouse covering materials, Solexx greenhouse covering reflects the light throughout the entire greenhouse structure.
Too much light causes excessive heat in the greenhouse. As a consequence, plants waste energy through transpiration, much like sweating. This stresses plants and reduces photosynthetic rates. More plants actually die in a greenhouse from overheating than from the cold.
You wouldn’t send your children or grandchildren outside to play without sunscreen, and you wouldn’t lock them inside a hot car. Treat your plants with the same care and give them the healthiest start you can. Using Solexx greenhouse panels is the best way to protect your plants.
3. Select a greenhouse that will extend the growing season
A good greenhouse should allow you to grow throughout the entire year. In order to do this, select a greenhouse that is well-insulated and has adequate ventilation. The greenhouse covering should hold heat in your greenhouse, naturally keeping it warm when cold weather hits and allowing you to heat your greenhouse inexpensively if desired. In warmer months, it's important to keep your greenhouse cool. A greenhouse design that allows you to add exhaust fans, additional base vents and solar powered louvers is important to prevent your greenhouse from overheating in the spring and summer months. Light diffusion also keeps temperatures down. Solexx greenhouses are excellent in the cold and in the heat, allowing you to enjoy your favorite hobby all year.
4. Select a greenhouse that is adaptable
Greenhouse gardening is addictive! As your greenhouse hobby develops, it is likely that your needs will change as you discover the many ways that you can fully utilize your greenhouse. A good greenhouse should offer versatility and be customizable to fit your own desires as well as your climate. Whether it is adding extra accessories to enhance productivity in your greenhouse or adding an extension kit to give you even more growing space, when you select a greenhouse make sure you can customize it easily. With the right greenhouse, you can grow everything from succulents to tropicals and herbs to flowers – in the same greenhouse!
5. Select a greenhouse for strength and durabillity
A good greenhouse should be able to stand up to daily living and harsh weather without any problems. Falling tree branches, rocks thrown from lawn mowers and stray baseballs can all be hazards to greenhouses. Severe weather such as wind, snow and hail can also pose a challenge to greenhouses with poor construction.
Look for greenhouses with low-maintenance frames. Ideally, you should have something that is easy to clean, such as the strong composite frame found on Solexx greenhouses. This ensures that you can wipe out any disease or pests that enter your greenhouse.
The greenhouse paneling should be equally durable. It should be scratch-resistant and also offer excellent impact strength. If you live in an area with lots of snow or other harsh weather, it’s important that the greenhouse covering be strong enough to support the extra weight.
6. Select a greenhouse with good ultra-violet protection
Your greenhouse should be hassle-free. That means that you shouldn’t waste your time recovering the greenhouse time after time. Greenhouses have to stand up to the harsh direct sun, so they should be designed to last. For maximum life expectancy, the greenhouse framework and glazing should be UV-treated. Look for greenhouse that are UV-certified. Also check warranty periods and find out how much it would cost to buy replacement parts.
7. Select a greenhouse with room to grow
Your perfect greenhouse should fit both your available space and your plants. When choosing a greenhouse kit, keep in mind that no matter what size greenhouse you buy now, you will likely fill it up within a year. You will want to make sure that you start out with plenty of growing room.
The size of the greenhouse you need is dependent upon the available growing space as well. With Solexx greenhouses, built-in bench frames allow you to get the maximum use of your space. Hanging rods are another important feature, allowing you room to winter over all of your beautiful hanging baskets.
8. Select a greenhouse that is easy to maintain
Cleaning and maintaining your greenhouse should be simple. Look for greenhouse materials, that do not scratch, mold or mildew, or water etch. Also, remember that some greenhouse coverings have a UV coating on the outside and you have to be careful not to damage the outer coating. Find out what is involved in upkeep of the greenhouse. You want to have your greenhouse for many years, so make sure it will keep looking good and working good for years to come. |
