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.