Getting started with greenhouse gardening begins with some basic knowledge of greenhouse gardening and the tools of the trade. Here are a few basic considerations before beginning your greenhouse gardening project.

Selecting an Area for Greenhouse Gardening

Selecting the right area of your yard to begin your greenhouse gardening greatly depends on the type of gardening you prefer. If you grow mainly houseplants or greenery, a partly shady area of the yard is best. Vegetables and fruits need more sun than foliage plants. If you plan to grow a mixture of plants or are unsure of what types of plants you will grow, you can locate your greenhouse in a sunny area and utilize sunshades to protect plants when needed. If your greenhouse will have a covering that diffuses the light, you will want to put it in the sunniest location possible regardless of what you are growing. The diffused light will be welcome by both sun and shade loving plants.

You can also situate your greenhouse to face east or west instead of north or south to take advantage of more light. You will want to position your greenhouse in close proximity to utilities such as electricity and water.

Choosing a Greenhouse Materials

Selecting a type of greenhouse depends largely on your budget and the space available. Smaller, portable greenhouses are fairly inexpensive, and custom-built greenhouses that attach to your home can be quite pricey. Special greenhouses are also available that allow you to start plants in your kitchen window or basement. Greenhouse gardening can be adapted to fit any lifestyle and budget. Hobby greenhouses are available in various sizes and materials to suit the needs of every gardener.

You can also choose from a wood frame, PVC frame or an aluminum greenhouse frame. The best choice for your plants is the PVC greenhouse frame or for better strength, a white composite frame. They provide the least amount of heat loss, do not rust or rot, and reflect white light back to your plants (where some frames actually rob light from your plants). Wood is more aesthetically pleasing, but aluminum is more durable and nearly maintenance free.

The foundation for your greenhouse can be constructed of timber, steel beams, concrete block, brick, or a concrete slab. These construction materials vary greatly in price and your budget may be the main deciding factor in selecting a foundation. Some gardeners choose a concrete slab to act as a foundation and flooring in one for their greenhouse. This simplifies construction in many cases. Others opt for a more natural flooring by adding a landscaping screen to keep out weeds and accenting with a brick walkway or stone pavers. Even a simple gravel flooring is sufficient for use in a greenhouse.

There are many greenhouse covering options. Each covering has its advantages and disadvantages. Consider now much maintenance the material will require, how durable it is against wind and hail, and ideally try to get the best R factor (insulation factor) and the material that will provide the most diffuse light.

Other Greenhouse Gardening Considerations

When beginning greenhouse gardening, you will also need to consider where you will get your heat, ventilation, water, and electricity. Specialized greenhouse systems can help you provide these greenhouse gardening essentials, or you can provide them individually as you see fit.

Beginning a greenhouse gardening project is easier once you decide on the basics of your greenhouse project and gather the essential greenhouse gardening supplies. Making the right decisions now will assure that you will spend your time working in your greenhouse and avoid spending time maintaining your greenhouse structure. So get ready to grab some pots, soil and seeds and start enjoying your new greenhouse!