Which Greenhouse Accessories do you need?

April 20th, 2006 by scott

If you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, you know the importance of choosing the right greenhouse accessories.  There are many accessories to consider from ventilation to watering and if you want to be successful you should make sure these accessories are in place before you begin using the greenhouse.

There are several questions you can ask yourself before you purchase greenhouse accessories.  These questions will help you make good choices and also ensure that you have all the things you need.

Question #1:  What type of heating system do you need? Do you have a way to easily get electricity or a gas line to your greenhouse? Keep in mind that it is dangerous to run an extension cord to an electric heater.

Question #2: There are many kinds of ventilation systems available for greenhouses.  Will you use natural cross ventilation air flow or will you be running an electric exhaust fan? Make sure you know how many CFM’s you need to adequately move the air in your greenhouse. Your plants will need a constant supply of fresh air for optimum growth.

Question #3:  You will need to water your plants; what is the best way to water and what is available? Make sure you locate your greenhouse where you will have easy access to water.

Question #4:  Will you be using grow lights?  Find out what light requirements your plants will need and plan accordingly.

Question #5:  Do you know what you will need to sanitize and clean your greenhouse?  Greenhouses can harbor disease if you don’t keep them sanitized.

Question #6: What are you looking for in garden containers?  If you want to add color to your greenhouse, some bright pots are the perfect solution. Find lightweight containers that can easily be moved outside in the summer and back into the greenhouse to winter-over in the fall.

Question #6:  Will you be growing your own seedlings?  If so make sure you have all the necessary accessories to complete the task.

Question #8:  Have you thought about composting?  This is a great way to produce rich soil for your greenhouse.

Find the answer to these and other questions by calling our toll free number, 1-800-825-1925, or visit our Greenhouse Accessories area right now! 
 

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Greenhouse Kits Are The Answer For A Green Thumb Hobbyist

April 17th, 2006 by scott

Does the thought of another long, cold winter without being able to work in the garden nearly bring you to tears?  Do you hate it when the time comes to stay in the house rather than in the garden?  Well, for all you green thumbers there is an answer; greenhouse kits.

Greenhouse kits will allow you to expand your gardening time by weeks and even months.  You can find greenhouse kits that are designed for early gardening or for year-round growing.

Greenhouse kits are affordable and give the gardener a chance to enjoy their hobby much longer every year.  Gardeners are also able to start gardening much earlier in the season and to have plants ready for spring-time planting.

You will find a remarkable array of greenhouse kits, especially if you do your shopping online at our website.  You will be able to see many different kinds of greenhouse kits and choose the one that fits your type of gardening style. 

When you shop online, we’ll deliver right to your door with all the instructions included.  If you have any questions call our toll free number, and we’ll assist you.

Even if you don’t have a lot of space you will be able to find greenhouse kits that are just the right size.  Take a look at the season extenders in our cold frame greenhouse kit section.

Use our handy calculators to determine the heating and ventilation needs you will have.  Look into lighting when you are researching greenhouse kits.  You will be surprised at all your choices.

If you are an avid gardener, be sure look at some greenhouse kits before those dark days of winter are upon us once again.

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Bloom With These Helpful Greenhouse Garden Tips

April 13th, 2006 by scott

You and your greenhouse can both bloom when you follow these easy helpful greenhouse garden tips…

Helpful greenhouse garden tip #1: 

Look online for the best choices of greenhouses, supplies, accessories and information.  Online sites are convenient and offer the garden enthusiast the chance to purchase everything needed at one time and in one place.

Helpful greenhouse garden tip #2: 

Before you purchase a greenhouse give some thought to the size and type of greenhouse you need.  Are you interested in a greenhouse that will allow you to grow flowers, plants and herbs all year or do you plan to concentrate on one season?

Helpful greenhouse garden tip #3: 

Will you need a greenhouse that can be built to accommodate heating, cooling and ventilation systems?  Many greenhouses are manufactured that can fill these needs.

Helpful greenhouse garden tip #4: 

Set up your budget and find the best greenhouse and supplies for the money.  This gardening endeavor can be expensive but you should be able to find a greenhouse and supplies that will allow you to have all the things you need while staying within a budget.

Helpful greenhouse garden tip #5: 

If you have a mom, dad, grandpa, or grandma who loves to garden you may want to call the family together and purchase a greenhouse for them.  A greenhouse provides hours of entertainment and is a great way to support a gardening hobby.

Helpful greenhouse garden tip #6:  

Find out if you will need a permit for your greenhouse.  Some cities tax anything these days! Also make sure that your greenhouse site is well-planned and properly prepared. See our Site Preparation Guide.

Call us at 1-800-825-1925 if you need any help!

 

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Choosing a Portable Greenhouse

April 3rd, 2006 by Greenthumb

When you begin dreaming of a new greenhouse there are many aspects to consider before you can start your new hobby.  If you’ve never built a greenhouse before, or are wondering if it is really something you will enjoy, you might consider the option of purchasing a portable greenhouse.

These have become quite popular because they are easy put up, moved and some can be disassembled then reassembled.

They are also a good idea if you have a very small yard, or perhaps no yard at all.  In this case, a portable greenhouse can be placed on a deck or balcony.  This would allow you to grow plants, flowers, or herbs more of the year.  You can even grow year-round if your greenhouse covering material is double-walled and you add a heat source.

Portable greenhouses are also relatively inexpensive, ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to under $1000.

One popular choice is the Germinator greenhouse. It comes with a sturdy aluminum frame, poly covering, zippered doors, screened vents, and anchors. This is a good choice for someone with a small yard who doesn’t want a greenhouse taking up space all year. You can fold this greenhouse into a compact unit that can easily be stored in the garage or shed when not in use. Many people use this greenhouse in warmer climates to help hold off the frost or even over-winter their plants.

You can also find greenhouses or cold frames as we call them, that sit up against your house or over a garden. Our patio greenhouse has shelves that are adjustable, which adds to the numerous available growing options. You get the same double-walled polyethylene panels as in larger greenhouses which makes this a good choice for colder climates. The design allows you easy access to your plants and built-in ventilation. It truly is one of the most attractive and well-designed cold frames you will find.

There are several types and styles of portable greenhouses from which to choose.  If you are just starting out, you may want to consult some online companies that sell them, or someone who is familiar with the various types and their uses before making your purchase.  Once you have established your starter house, you will be on your way to enjoying your new and satisfying hobby. And it won’t be long before your ready to get a greenhouse with all the bells and whistles!

View our most popular portable greenhouse

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Advantages To Owning a Hobbyist Greenhouse

April 3rd, 2006 by Greenthumb

There are many types of greenhouses, each differing in style, size, and appearance.  Deciding which type will best suit your needs can be dificult, but there is a wealth of information available to help you make your decision.  This article describes one type, the Hobbyist Greenhouse, and the advantages to choosing this model.

There are several good reasons to choose a Hobbyist Greenhouse. For starters, they come with a 7-year warranty. This is a longer guarantee than many companies offer.

Second, it is designed so you will need very few tools and most pieces simply snap together.

The frame is made of high strength resin, and the walls are made of double walled polycarbonate, a material which retains heat well.  These two factors make them extra durable to everyday wear and tear.

Hobbyist Greenhouses are also built to hold up well under adverse weather conditions and climates.  This means they can withstand the different seasons in different parts of the world while lasting a long time.

They come with clearly illistrated instructions that will assist you in correct assembly and minimize frustration and confusion. 

So, with sturdy construction, straight-forward assembly, and a long guarantee, the Hobbyist Greenhouse will be a welcome addition to your yard.

For more specifics about this product, please see the FAQ’s

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The Importance Of Proper Greenhouse Ventilation Components

April 3rd, 2006 by Greenthumb

Ventalation is perhaps the single most important component to a greenhouse and it serves two main purposes.  It provides fresh air, mainly in the form of carbon dioxide to plants, and it provides cooling for the greenhouse.  Because of this, great care must be given to ensure that proper supplies are purchased to achieve optimal ventilation.

Installing an evaporative system like a misting system, fogger, or evaporative cooler can provide additional essential cooling which is especially important on a hot summer day.

An exhaust fan ventalation system often consists of a fan designed to blow hot, stale air out of the greenhouse and pull cool fresh air in.  This can be accomplished by supplying your greenhouse with intake shutters mounted on the opposite end of the building.  Many systems are able to make a complete change of air in one to three minutes.

You can use roof and side vents to supply cool air to your greenhouse.  These are especially effective during cold winter months.  This is because fresh air is supplied more gradually than with an exhaust fan system, which helps reduce temperature shock to the plants growing inside.

Circulation fans are also highly recommended while using roof or side vents because they move air throughout the structure eliminating both hot and cold spots which is useful when heating or venting.

Thermostatic controls and solar powered autovents can be used to automate your ventalataion system.  This is crucial because forgetting to ventalate even once can overheat everything inside.

There are many options to consider when deciding which ventalation supplies are necessary to have in your greenhouse.  Know the climate of your area and understand the changes that can take place and how to eliminate possible problems.  Good ventilation will always provide you a better environment for your plant growth.

Our greenhouse ventilation products

Our greenhouse cooling products

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Choosing The Right Greenhouse Supplies

April 3rd, 2006 by Greenthumb

So you’ve built your greenhouse, and you’re now successfullly growing plants, flowers, and herbs.  It’s time to figure out what else you need to enhance your greenhouse experience.  There are many types of accessories and supplies available for purchase to help you expand.  Here are a few options available to you as well as their benefits.

On sunny days, no matter the season, a greenhouse can become very hot. Our solar greenhouse vent opener is an excellent low priced accessory.  It is completely solar powered, and therefore requires no electricity. It’s also easy to install on your vent and roof.  The 12 inch piston is corrosion resistant and well constructed for opening and closing your wall vents.

Greenhouse shade cloth is available in pre-cut sizes, and is another important accessory to your greenhouse.  It comes in widths of up to 16 feet, and is made of polypropylene.  Other sizes are available, from 8′ x 10′ to 12′ x 16. It’s great for all types of greenhouses and climates and is a preferred covering material to protect your plants from excessive heat. 

Lighting is another accessory that can enhance the usability of your greenhouse. Available from 125 to 400 watts, including halides and sodium lights, adding the right lighting can greatly boost your plant growth, and ensure a year round, lush and beautiful plant environment. For more lighting specifics, please visit our Greenhouse lighting FAQ’s

There are various other accessories you can add that will help make your greenhouse more weather resistent and able to withstand harsh weather conditions.  It is important to know what options are available to help enhance plant growth.

Greenhouse Supplies

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The Advantages of an Early Bloomer Greenhouse

April 3rd, 2006 by Greenthumb

When choosing a greenhouse, first, you must decide what you want to grow: flowers, plants, or herbs.  Next,  you should figure out how big you want your greenhouse to  be, which will often depend on how much space you have for the building itself.  Consideration should also be given to the types of material you wish to use.  Finally, how much time and effort do you plan to put into actually building the structure?

Fortunetely, there are a variety of pre-fabricated kits to help you make your decisions. Different kits are designed with different needs in mind, and can often be customized to meet various specifications.

If you are like a lot of people, you may not have the time to attend to all the fine details of your construction.  If this is the case, you might consider purchasing the Early Bloomer Greenhouse.  This will benefit you for several reasons.

The Early Bloomer Greenhouse is one of our easiest to assemble and boasts many appealing features.  Perhaps one of its most noteable features is that at only $750, it’s a very affordable way to get started.

This greenhouse is also portable, so if desired, you can set it right over a section of your garden to extend your season in the fall, or to get an early start planting seeds. When your plants are safe from frost, it can be moved to any convenient 8′ x 8′ area of your yard or leave it over your garden all summer.

Air circulation with this greenhouse is great too, with a large 19′ x 30″ vent assembly also included. This helps keep fresh air circulating to your plants all year round.

Many entry level greenhouses do not have the height required to grow taller plants, or to stand comfortably inside. At 6′3′ high in the center, the Early Bloomer has that covered too. There are even two rods running the full length of the structure, allowing you additional space for hanging baskets and plants.

If you’re looking for a quality greenhouse that is easy to use and versatile, the Early Bloomer Greenhouse is the one for you.

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