1) When ordering a greenhouse kit, make “ease of assembly” a priority. Sure, you’ll want to ensure the kit has everything you can afford and desire. But, be sure to get one which is known to be simple to construct. There are many out there, so look around before purchasing. Most easy-to-assemble models will say “requires no need to hire a contractor” or something similar. Unless your technical knowledge of construction is advanced, this is important for you to remember.

2) Don’t get overwhelmed when you first open the greenhouse kit boxes. You’ll see oddly shaped bundles, aluminum bars, nuts, bolts, wire clips and glass holders. You may also see plastic pieces and manuals of instruction. Most manuals look overwhelmingly large, upon first glance. However, if you look closer you’ll likely see they are thick due to the various languages the instructions are offered in.

3) Be sure to follow the manual! While it may be tempting to try to figure out where everything goes without reading the instructions, it’s vital for proper construction to read the manual. Most manuals show drawings and written step-by-step instructions, which can make the task much easier than guessing where things go.

4) Most greenhouse kits require a proper foundation before construction. Many kits can include the base frame for an additional cost. So, be sure you have this in place before starting. Some greenhouse designs require concrete to be poured into the pipes and then leveled.

5) Don’t expect to need many tools. Most greenhouse kits require only the parts included, the base, and basic tools like a screwdriver, electric drill, level, ladder, rubber mallet, tapemeasure and knife.

Remember, if you can follow the instructions within the greenhouse kit manual you’ll be able to properly construct the kit. Be sure to work in the area in which you want to sit the greenhouse because you may not be able to move the building in pieces to the site after you’ve constructed them fully. In addition, asking someone for assistance in the project will make your job much easier and quicker. Set aside a day for the construction, just in case it takes longer than expected. As an extra tip, make sure you the kits has arrived and you have taken inventory before you plan your construction day and invite your ‘help’ over.

Get Started

Before starting to build the greenhouse, it’s important to plan out your budget. Make a list of needed materials and go to your local home improvement store or lumber yard to find out how much your supplies will cost. If you think you’ll go over budget, you can always consider building a smaller greenhouse.

Note: Compare your budget to the cost of a comparable greenhouse kit and weigh your options. A pre-fabricated greenhouse kit already has the design and planning stages done for you, plus they generally have a pretty lengthy warranty. You may decide purchasing a greenhouse kit if worth saving you the hassle of building a greenhouse kit from scratch.

Choosing A Location

Remember, choosing a great location for your greenhouse is important. Plants need a great deal of sunlight so you’ll need to pick a spot where sunlight is abundant. If your area is mostly shaded, at least choose a place with adequate morning sunlight. For those trying to fit a small greenhouse into a cityscape of tall buildings, try to find an area to the southwest or west of major structures. This will allow your plants to get a great deal of sunlight throughout the later part of the day.

When you’re building a garden supply greenhouse, be sure to also think about drainage. A good drainage system is important for a successful greenhouse. Building your greenhouse on higher ground is a great way to ensure the water will drain way from the greenhouse quickly. Be sure to avoid putting a greenhouse in the path of storm drains or other natural draining paths. After all, you don’t want your greenhouse to flood after heavy rains.

When choosing location, also think about accessibility. Your greenhouse will need water, electricity and possible gas. So ensure your chosen spot meets all three criteria.

Building a garden supply greenhouse is a great way to make certain you can garden all year long. It will take hard work and money to build your own greenhouse. But once your structure is done you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come.

Greenhouses offer protection to crops from either too much heat or too much cold. They also shield plants from dust storms or blizzards, and help to minimize the damage done by the inevitable presence of pests.

Tips for effective greenhouse management:

1. Before you choose a greenhouse, make sure to decide what you want to grow. This will help you determine if you need a season extender or an insulated greenhouse that you can grow in all year.

2. Fill your greenhouse with the sort of flowers that will survive the climate of your region.

3. Use heaters inside your greenhouse so that you can plant those things you would not be able to otherwise grow.

4. Before selecting or purchasing a greenhouse kit, consider the numerous factors that will enable you to make the best choice possible.

5. If you are unsure of where to start, use the examples of others. Look around your own neighborhood or go online to find visuals that will assist in an informed decision.

Building your greenhouse

The typical height of a greenhouse ceiling is about 8 feet. This makes it easy to construct, but still allows ample headroom for the gardener. Ready-to-build greenhouse kits are growing increasingly popular because they offer a wide range of both size and style.

Portable Greenhouse

Portable greenhouses sometimes incorporate a zipper design. This means that they can be joined together by employing a unique interlocking zipper-system. The system creates an extension to the greenhouse; a sort of annex to allow even more gardening. Portable greenhouses can be a great start or a needed addition, depending on where you are in your greenhouse experience.

Getting your greenhouse up and running is the first step in greenhouse management.

10 Helpful Things to Consider Before You Build a Greenhouse

There are some important things you should keep in mind when it comes to building a greenhouse. In addition to deciding on the type of building you want to use, there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind when you create your starter or ideal greenhouse:

1. Make sure that the greenhouse is as high as it can be. A greenhouse that is higher provides more volume to help buffer the outside temperatures. If you increase the height of your greenhouse by just two feet, you can increase the volume by around twenty percent. The surface area, which is the part of the greenhouse that makes you vulnerable to heating loss, will only go up by around eight percent. A tall greenhouse offers very few direct shadows, keeping frame members further from your precious plants.

2. You will also want to insure that you have adequate drainage for your greenhouse gardening. One way to do this is to utilize gravel to help raise the floor of your greenhouse above the surrounding terrain. This will help the water table lower quickly after it rains, and will keep the floor of your greenhouse much drier overall.

3. An irrigation system can be a huge time saver for your greenhouse. There are nozzles and drippers available for just about any kind of crop, and choosing the right one for your greenhouse is a huge time saver.

4. Be certain that you have sufficient electrical service to your greenhouse. If you have too little voltage, you might be in a pinch once you begin gardening. As your greenhouse grows and you add more equipment, you will need that extra electricity.

5. Be ready to monitor levels of pH, EC and moisture. Using meters that will monitor these conditions can give you some indication of the changing needs of your plants. These monitors are relatively inexpensive, and give you a much more accurate reading than just a visual inspection.

6. Make provisions to keep out pests. Use things like insect screens, tight vents and tight doors to keep the little critters out of your greenhouse.

7. Use solid-state temp controllers. You will want to choose electronic thermostats over mechanical ones, as they will give you much more precise control.

8. Plan to expand. Create an overall plan for your greenhouse that covers the next several years. Make sure your existing structures and facilities will allow you to have expansion.

9. Use quality equipment to save time and energy. Labor is your number one production cost when greenhouse gardening, so using things like container-fillers, carts and conveyors can really speed up your processes.

10. Use a quality air circulation system, which is important for leaf moisture removal, carbon dioxide enhancement, and uniform temperatures.

With a little care and planning, building a greenhouse can be a rewarding experience for years to come.

How to Build a Greenhouse
1. Sketch out your building plans in detail. Use graph paper to scale if possible. In your design, be sure to include any electrical outlets or gas and water lines that are needed.

2. Decide where to construct your masterpiece. Choose an area that gets full sun and is relatively flat, unless you have time and money to spend on excavating.

3. Prepare a shopping list and shop wisely. It may take you a few weeks to gather your building supplies if you are a frugal shopper, so plan accordingly.

4. Prepare the foundation. If your design calls for a concrete, gravel, or brick floor, prepare the foundation and set the posts for your greenhouse (a combination of a gravel walkway and a gravel base is recommended). Be sure to anchor your structure appropriately, especially if you live in a windy area. Don’t forget to bring your electricity, gas and water lines into the greenhouse.

5. Next, install the framework for your greenhouse walls and roof.

6. Installing the heating system is next. You can choose from a solar-powered, gas, electric or oil heater for your greenhouse.

7. Circulating fans, if desired, are installed after the heating system is in place.

8. After wiring, heating and cooling systems, and framework is in place, you can install the covering of choice in the greenhouse frame. Options include, plastic, poly-vinyl sheeting, fiberglass, Solexx, or glass. See greenhouse paneling comparison chart.

9. Install your water source and any automated systems you desire.

10. Arrange benches, supplies, and plants inside the greenhouse.

Building your own greenhouse is a rewarding experience. Designing and building your own structure ensures that you get exactly what you need and want. It involves extra effort, but the end result is a custom designed and built greenhouse that enhances your gardening experience with all the features you desire.

These 10 easy steps provide the basics for building the greenhouse of your dreams. You provide the details, hard work, and vision to complete the project.