We tend to think of greenhouse kits as DIY systems for creating whole new greenhouses, but the modular nature of many modern greenhouses means that it’s increasingly easy to buy single-part kits for replacing damaged bits of your greenhouse. Where once you might have incurred the expense of a visit to the local glazier to replace a broken panel, now you can buy one ready-made, cut to the right size and easy to slot into place.

Greenhouse kits for replacing damaged parts are available to suit all the most popular greenhouse brands. They can save you not only a lot of trouble and expense, but also valuable time. Breakages in the greenhouse mean that you have to seal the affected area with whatever you have to hand. This may mean using wood, which isn’t always a good insulator; and even if you use high-grade plastic, the chances are that you won’t get a proper seal. This will make it difficult to control the temperature inside the greenhouse and so will place your plants at risk.

The well-organized greenhouse gardener won’t simply be ready to buy spare parts when they’re required, but will keep a few basic panels in the garden shed - or even in the greenhouse itself - in case of emergency. This makes it possible to deal with the most commonly needed urgent repairs as soon as you’re aware of them. Of course, it’s not practical to keep more complex parts, like doors, at home, but you can also purchase these as discrete items when needed. This is, naturally, much more cost effective than having to replace the whole greenhouse, and it’s much better for your plants, as it keeps the greenhouse environment as stable as possible.

Next time you need to make repairs to your greenhouse, don’t make do with home-made solutions or spend lots of money on expensive repairs - simply contact your greenhouse supplier to find the parts you need.

If you want to get maximum performance out of your greenhouse, it’s vital to ensure that your greenhouse panels are cleaned. Here are six top tips for keeping it shining and bright.

1. Choose the right cleaning products for your panels. What works on glass may not be the best choice for a plastic greenhouse covering. Some types of plastic panels can actually be dissolved by traditional cleaning fluids. Check with the manufacturer for product-specific advice.

2. Choose the right cleaning products for your plants. Some cleaning fluids leave a residue which can be toxic to delicate plants. Others leave behind chemicals which can be absorbed by plants you plan to eat. Products designed for kitchen use are the best bet if you can’t access specialty products.

3. Use the right scrubbing tool. A scouring pad can help to remove difficult dirt from glass, but should never be used on plastic, where it can cause scratching which will itself reduce the amount of light getting through the panel.

4. Clean frequently. Some of the organic dirt which can build up on greenhouse panels is very hard to remove once it’s become established, but a quick wipe once or twice a week will keep it under control. Basic cleaning should be an everyday part of your schedule when you’re caring for greenhouses properly.

5. Use an anti-algae agent. If you notice greenish misting on your panels, the chances are that you have an algae problem. Once established, algae can spread to the leaves of some plants, suffocating them. There are specialty products which can treat this far more effectively than ordinary cleaners can.

6. Don’t forget the floor! Dirt which builds up on the floor of your greenhouse can later spread to the panels, so it’s a good idea to wash down that concrete or rake through that gravel on a regular basis. This is particularly important in preventing the spread of mold.

With these tips in mind, caring for greenhouses doesn’t have to be hard work. It’s simply a matter of using the right tools for the job and doing that job in an efficient way. Proper cleaning will help to ensure healthy plants and many years of greenhouse-keeping pleasure.
 

Are you just starting to get your garden greenhouse ready for activity? Many of you have been growing through the winter and already have seeds sprouting. With the cold weather throughout much of the country though, you might just be starting to get back into the gardening spirit and wondering if it’s too late to start those seeds.

There is work to be done and no time to waste.  If you haven’t already, now is the time to get the garden greenhouse in order and start the season off right.

The greenhouse may need a little sprucing up.  This is one of those times when you need to make sure the greenhouse has a thorough cleaning.  You should also check everything in the greenhouse to make sure it is in working order.  You may have unexpected maintenance but if you go over the entire greenhouse now, those unexpected repairs will  be less likely.  This gives you more quality time in the greenhouse in the long run.  Having a working watering system and efficient greenhouse ventilation will provide you with a better chance of success in the garden greenhouse. 

When you start the season with a clean greenhouse you will be able to provide a healthy environment for all your plants and flowers.  You can avoid problems with pests and lessen the likelihood of disease.  Be sure to clean all the tools as well as shelves, flooring, pots, gardening benches and potting surfaces.

You may need to order a few new supplies for the greenhouse.  After you choose your greenhouse crops, you will be ready to buy the seeds and plants for the season.  You will have to calculate when to get the seeds started if you are planning to grow some plants or flowers to transplant outside when the weather warms up.  Timing is essential! Look on the back of the seed packet to see how quickly the seeds will germinate and check the expected last frost date for your area. If you get too much started too soon, you may run out of room to house your seedling transplants.

If you prefer to grow only plants or flowers that will remain in the greenhouse, think about staggering planting times.  This will give you the opportunity to have fresh vegetables available at all times and flowers blooming throughout the late spring and through the summer, too.

Prepare the greenhouse and your greenhouse plants and flowers and you will be ready to “spring” into the growing season with ease.

If you want to cut down on gardening costs, create a beautifully landscaped yard and enjoy the fun of building something for yourself, greenhouse kits are a great way to go. But how do you decide which is the right greenhouse kit for you? While simple greenhouses can be built by almost anyone, other designs are more complex. If you want a more advanced greenhouse model to allow you to garden all year, but you don’t want to be stuck with something which you find impossible to put together, what should you be looking out for?

The good news is that all greenhouse kits on the market today are easier to assemble than they used to be. As they’ve become more popular, manufacturers have aimed to make them simpler for the average garden enthusiast, rather than targeting them at DIY experts. Still, some are easier to work with than others. If you’re unsure of your skills, it’s best to stay away from designs which feature lots of small panels, as these can be trickier to put together.

Many of the most basic greenhouse kits can be assembled by just one person, but if the one you want features long supports or utilizes bulky panels (rather than wrap-over plastic sheeting), you’ll be better off having somebody else to help you hold the pieces in place as you work. Larger structures may need a team of more than two, so take this into account when you buy.

Some kits require you to screw beams together, which can be hard work for people with arthritis and similar conditions. It’s a difficult task because it has to be done all in one go - a half-assembled greenhouse can easily be damaged by the wind. If you have problems of this sort, look out for kits with simple snap-together beams which can be pushed into place with minimal effort.

If you’re somebody for whom part of the appeal of self-assembly is rising to a challenge, there are a number of easy to use greenhouse coverings available. You just put together the frame using lumber, PVC, or whatever is handy for you and then lay over the greenhouse covering. 

No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a greenhouse kit out there that’s right for you, but taking the time to make a careful decision will always pay off in the long term.

If you’ve been looking at greenhouses for your garden and you’re despairing of how expensive they seem, you’ve been looking in the wrong place. Although you may think that having a greenhouse will be a huge expense, you will be pleasantly surprised at how affordable greenhouse kits have become in recent years. To get the most out of your investment, choose a pre-fabricated greenhouse kit to save you the expense of hiring a contractor to erect your greenhouse.

Small square greenhouses can be the most practical greenhouse types if you have a small suburban garden, and they can look good enough next to small suburban houses, but what if you have a country house and you’re aiming for a more natural, old fashioned look? You’ll be pleased to hear that there are various sorts of greenhouses for your garden which do incorporate these ideas. Quonset greenhouses, for instance, can look particularly charming in your yard. Gothic greenhouses, on the other hand, have tall, arched roofs and look very elegant in the vicinity of tall trees; what’s more, because of their shape you won’t have to worry about fallen leaves building up on their roofs.

Some of the most attractive greenhouse types for the country garden have timber frames, so that they blend in beautifully with your old timber-framed outbuildings. You can stain the frames to complement the colors of the trees in your garden. Timber frames can easily be accessorised with mesh or nails so that you can train climbing plants across them, giving them a wonderful organic look.

With so many different greenhouses for your garden now available, it’s always possible to find something which suits your garden. The right greenhouse can make your country garden complete.