Preparing your Greenhouse Site

All of the greenhouses that the Greenhouse Catalog offers require very little site preparation. For best results, you simply need to level the area where you want to place the greenhouse. No permanent foundation is required because all of the greenhouses we offer have a base of some sort included. Depending on your plans for your greenhouse, the following hints can help you to create an ideal set up.

Selecting a Location

Your greenhouse should be placed in an area where it can get plenty of sunlight. Ideally, the longest part of the greenhouse should be oriented toward the south. If you are concerned about your greenhouse becoming hot during warm weather, it can be placed in an area that will receive partial shade in the afternoon. Try to keep the greenhouse away from any hazards, such as tree branches that could potentially fall. Also, consider a location close to a water and electricity source if possible.

Building a Foundation

Many people think that putting in a concrete or brick foundation is the best flooring option for a greenhouse. To the contrary, these floorings can actually cause problems within a greenhouse by harboring mold and disease. Also, these foundations require more work and are often costly. By sticking with a simpler flooring option, you will also be able to easily move your greenhouse to a new location if necessary. If you still opt to build a permanent foundation, consider building the greenhouse first and then laying the foundation to match the greenhouse footprint. Greenhouses often vary slightly in dimensions and they may not fit as expected on the foundation.

Choosing a Flooring

The best bet for flooring is a combination of 1/2" or 3/4" gravel and flooring designed specifically for greenhouses. The pea gravel will allow for good drainage, while the flooring will help to block out weeds. Both of these can easily be sanitized with a mild bleach solution in case of disease.

Anchoring Your Greenhouse

A tie-down kit is an indispensable accessory for any greenhouse. Typically, these are lengthy anchors that are driven into the ground and connected to the greenhouse. Generally, two anchors are recommended for every four-foot section of greenhouse, although you may opt to add more if you live in an extremely windy area. Anchoring systems vary slightly between different greenhouses, so be sure to ask us what we recommend for your particular greenhouse. Tie down augers are effective in most situations, but proper conditions are required to prevent failure. Improperly tightened or loose anchors, high winds, loose or sandy soil, waterlogged or flooded soil, or extremely rocky soil can contribute to anchors pulling out of the ground. You will need to determine the best means to anchor the kit for your unique situation. If you have concerns about your conditions, a concrete perimeter, concrete slab, or corner holes are good alternatives to anchoring into soil.