Questions to Ask Yourself

The San Bernardino Natural Redwood Greenhouse

Most gardeners think about whether or not a greenhouse is right for them. If you itch to garden longer than just the summer months, a greenhouse is the way to make it happen. You will have to make a commitment in money, time and space to have a greenhouse. We want you to be happy with your choice. This guide is designed to help you choose from the wide variety of greenhouses we offer.

If you still need some questions answered, give our experts a call toll free at 1-866-567-0813 and talk it over with us!

1. What size of greenhouse do I need?

To answer this question, you will need to ask yourself some more questions: What am I going to use it for? How much can I afford to pay for it? How much space do I have for a greenhouse structure? How big is my ambition to garden on a larger or extended scale? Will a bigger greenhouse space increase my gardening ambitions? Is the greenhouse expandable if I need more space later on? Do I want a taller greenhouse?

Taller greenhouses give you more head room and are easier to heat and ventilate because there is more room for the air to circulate, but that means there is also more cubic feet of air space to heat. Tall greenhouses give you more overhead area for hanging plants, climbing vines as well as over-wintering small fruit trees you may have in pots.

2. What will I use my greenhouse for?

'I want to get a head start with seedlings in the early spring and gain a few extra weeks in the fall'.

Just about any greenhouse will enable you to start seeds before it's time to plant outdoors. Springtime weather is rather volatile, alternating between wet, windy, frosty, and even sunny. Gardeners know when to set out plants for their area, and a greenhouse will enable you to start them early enough to get a good head start on the season. I will also give you more choices in variety if you start your own seeds.

In some areas the weather may be bad enough during the spring to require heat to protect your tender seedlings. Heating options are available if you anticipate that need in your area.

The Cold Weather Enthusiast

Maintaining the minimum temperatures needed for over-wintering plants will require heating the greenhouse, even if for a very short cold period. Depending on the type of plants and your lowest winter temperatures, greenhouses suitable for over-wintering can also be used to extend the seasons. The more inexpensive greenhouses like the FlowerHouse, Weatherguard, and Easy2Build are good season extenders, but are not good at holding in the heat during really cold weather.

If you are in a colder gardening zone, you should probably choose a well insulated twin walled greenhouse with a strong frame that will allow you to maintain the minumum temperatures without a lot of wasted heat cost. Some of the better choices for this would be the Juliana series, the Riga, Rion or Solexx. Also look at the beautiful Victorian and Mini Pro series.

'I want to grow an indoor garden in the winter'.

There are two approaches to a winter garden indoors. One is to simply grow the kinds of vegetables that are naturally cold hardy but will still succumb to hard frosts and freezing, like broccoli, cabbage, lettuces, spinach, parsley, snow peas, parsnips, carrots, bok choy, etc. Some of the herbs are very hardy also. With these cool-loving varieties of plants, only a little heat to protect from hard frost is needed. Sometimes you can use an insulated covering to reduce heat loss at night. A heater will be needed for the cold snaps in weather. The greenhouses listed previously will all retain heat and help maintain temperatures needed.

Inside a Juliana Greenhouse

If you are thinking of having every vegetable or flower known to man during a season usually found on the other side of the equator, you will definitely need a completely heated greenhouse system, as well as an automatic temperature regulator. We offer a selection of substantial and beautiful greenhouses that enable you to do this, as well as all the accessories to make your greenhouse almost self-sufficient.

That will leave you more time to concentrate on the fun stuff like picking fresh tomatoes and lettuce in the off-season. This is the ultimate in buying local produce. Yes, you have to pay for the electricity, but you won't have to pay the supermarket prices to import it from Argentina or spend the gas to go get it. It is a trade off that is most benificial to us and the environment.

For year round vegetable and flower growing (especially in the northern climates) consider the National Grand Hideaway.

3. What is my personal greenhouse style?

'How much do I want this greenhouse to affect how I live? Do I just want something to start seeds in early? Do I want to grow house-plants all year round? Am I going to grow food all winter? Do I want a place to take my quests to enjoy the warmth, greenery, and view while having a drink? Do I want a place to put a comfortable sitting area in, and have green plants too? What is my lifestyle and budget?'

There are quite a few ancillory uses for greenhouses. If you want to make a real impact on how you live, eat and relax, you will want to consider an investment in a greenhouse attached to your home. Not only will it make access easy, it will make it easier to heat both the home and the greenhouse. It will become another room in your living arrangments and create a healthier indoor air quality.

The Juliana Carport Lean-To Greenhouse

We recommend the National Grand Hideaway for a total affect. You can also use one of the Juliana lean-to styles attached to a doorway of your home for a convenient, easy to heat growing environment that is less expensive than a National Grand Hideaway greenhouse.

4. Is a building permit required?

Most portable greenhouses do not require a building permit. It is a good idea to check with your local building department office to be sure. Some do not require permits for glass addition greenhouses, some do. The maker of the National Grand Hideaway greenhouses work with your local county office regarding building permits. They speak the same language, which makes it easier for both them and you.

Selecting the Best Site for your Greenhouse

Selecting the best site for your greenhouse will affect how much you will use and enjoy it. Some of us don't have much choice in placement because of the size and shape of our property and accessibility to water, eletricity or fuel. Some major factors to consider are listed here:

1. Sunlight

Ideally, your greenhouse should be situated so that its length is facing 20 degrees of due south. This is how satallite dishes are placed for best reception. This will maximize the amount of sunlight your greenhouse will receive year round and help to heat it in the winter. Remember the sun's angle is much lower in the winter months than in the summer. Studying the sun angle chart below will help you understand this concept.

Shade trees in the area of your greenhouse can be used to advantage. Deciduous trees that leaf out in the summer will provide some protection from too much summer heat and shed their leaves in the winter, allowing more sun to reach through to the greenhouse in the colder months. Be sure the trees are not too close to the greenhouse site so that falling branches and debris do not land on the greenhouse and damage it.

2. ACCESSIBILITY

A greenhouse should be within easy reach of a source of water, electricity (if you are going to use it), potting, shed supplies and equipment like plant carts and wheelbarrows, and to the garden site where you will eventually put your seedlings. If you are going to use your greenhouse during the winter months, be sure you can get to it easily during bad weather. You can also make it a destination point in your landscape by designing a path of hedge rows or flower beds along the route you use to get to it. Make it more than just the house where you start your seeds.

3. WEATHER

The Riga Onion Greenhouse

Some regions have chronic weather such as heavy snow, heavy rain, and strong winds. Heavy rains can cause a drainage problem in and around your greenhouse. To avoid any problems, make sure your greenhouse sits on high ground that is well-drained, or install a drainage system before you erect it.

If you have heavy snowfall in your area, be sure to select a greenhousethat has been tested for heavy snow load. Greenhouse makers are usually very proud of the ability of their greenhouses to withstand heavy snows and will list it as a feature worth considering. You will also need to consider the insulating ability of your greenhouse during the snow months. If you plan to use your greenhouse in the winter it is recommended that you put in electricity to heat it, use an insulating blanket over it, or both.

There are some regions that have strong, persistent winds. You will get much better performance and safety out of your greenhouse if you protect it from strong winds with a tall windbreak of either live plants or fencing. You will also want to choose a greenhouse that is built of strong, heavy materials and anchor it down well. An optimal choice for this area would be a greenhouse on a permament foundation attached to the house, such as National's Grand Hideaway greenhouse offers. It will actually enhance the usability of your greenhouse in all weather conditions to have it attached to your home. Smaller greenhouses that are tested to withstand strong winds up to 80 mph, such as the Rion, list that feature.

The curved design of the Solexx allows wind to slide over it rather than slam into it. Remember, it must be properly anchored in order to met the standard test results. Choose a greenhouse that has an anchoring system designed to meet this need, or has one available as an accessory to purchase. Consider it part of the start-up cost in your greenhouse investment.

Very persistent winds in loose soil can actually re-arrange the footing underneath a lightweight greenhouse and tweek its alignment. Another thing to consider if you live in a high wind area, is how the door to the greenhouse is attached. Entering your greenhouse can be difficult, if not downright hazardous, when the wind is blowing against the door. It's possible a hinged door could get caught

Victorian Orangie Greenhouse

in the wind and slam back on you or back against the greenhouse. You will need a door that is extra strong. Consider if a sliding door would be a better choice for your area. The Victorian series offers this feature and the door will require less clearance area.

Believe or not, some parts of the country can get too much or too strong sunlight. This is easily remedied with the use of vents, fans, shade cloths or shade sails, and doors and windows that open automatically. You can also situate your greenhouse where it will receive some summer shade from trees. One good feature to look for is the dutch syle door, which enables you to increase air flow by leaving the top section open while still keeping the pets and pests out of the greenhouse. The Riga Onion series offers dutch doors.

What is the Best Material for a Greenhouse?

Greenhouses, like flowers, come in many different styles, materials and colors.  They are made of a variety of materials to meet the requirements of the many different plant zones in the USA and abroad.  You should know what plant zone you live in as well as the expected weather patterns, such as minimum and maximum temperatures for your area over the course of the year.  When is your last frost date in the spring and the date of the first expected frost in the fall?  It will be one of the biggest factors in what type of greenhousse you choose.

The kind of material used for the FRAME include:

Aluminum: Strong, not too heavy to work with, can be painted, longest lasting of all the frames against weather.  Won't rot, rust or breakdown under UV light.

Galvanized Steel: Usually used for the base kits because it won't bend easily and is heavier than aluminum for stability.  Requires extra hardware if use for entire frame.

Wood: Is 100% natural, attractive, easy to work with and can be painted or stained.  Not as durable as the metals and casts more shadow into the greenhouse.  Redwood & Cedar are recommended for natureal resistace to the elements and insect damage.  You can prolong the life of a wood frame be sealing it.

Polycarbonate: A blend of materials make this plastic very strong, yet lightweight, easy to work with, making connections easy, is UV protected so it won't break down in strong sun, won't rust or mildew in damp climate.  This material is used in the construction of bridges.

The choices in materials for the COVERING include:

Glass:  Is crystal clear, easy to clean, allows optimum light penetration.  Can be replaced if damaged.  Heavy, requires strong frame to hold it.  Not unbreakable.

Polycarbonate:  Comes in nearly clear, light opaquesness or completely opaque.  Opaque coverings 'diffuse' the light that enters the greenhouse, causing the light particles to break apart and scatter, which helps prevent sunburn and sun-scorch on leaves.  It also pushes the light into more area (square inches) inside, so more of the plant can benefit from maximum sunlight to develop gren leaves.  How much you want to diffuse the sunlight is determined by what you want to grow as well as how much strong sunlight your area receives.  Resistant to damage by hail, flying balls, etc.  Easier to install than glass and has more R value choices and better insulating than glass.

Polyethylene film:  Very lightweight, inexpensive to replace.

Each of these materials has an "R" value, which is the commercial unit used to measure the effectiveness of its thermal insulating ability.  A larger number represents a higher insulating value and therefore a greater heating and cooling efficiency.  The following chart shows the differences in R values for the various greenhouse coverings.  Some slight variation in R value may occur with some brand name products.

GREENHOUSE COVERING INSULATION (R) VALUES

4 mil polyethylene                                        0.83

6 mil  "              ........................................ 0.87

6 mil poly ethylente double layer (inflated)        1.43

3 mm single layer glass                                  0.95

2 layers of glass (insulated)                            2.00

4 mm twinwall polycarbonate                          1.43

6 mm twinwall    "                                         1.54

8 mm twinwall    "                                         1.61

10 mm    "         "                                         1.89

16 mm 5 wall     "                                          3.03

Fiberglass                                                                 0.83

 

FOUNDATIONS

You will need to compare the usage and portability desired with the weather factors where you live to decide what kind of foundations you will need.  If you want to be able to move your greenhouse from one spot to another, all you will need is a flat surface area to set in over.  If the wind is going to blow hard, you will need to anchor it down.  Look for a greenhouse that comes with a base kit included like the Rion Prestige and Greenline, or has one as an option to purchase like the Easy Start.

You can create your own foundation for any greenhouse to get a more permanent and level area to put it.  Some commonly used materials for foundations include:

• Pressure treated timbers like railroad ties or landscape timbers
• Concrete poured slab
• Concrete block base wall

FLOORING

It will make your greenhouse experience much more pleasant if you have the proper floor under foot.  You should put down something in the isles where you will be walking that will be absorbent and level if you have not laid a concrete slab.  Choose a material of your choice for its ease of installing, availability, price and looks. If you want to keep the weeds from growing up underfoot, lay down a weed cloth underneath some gravel, brick, sand, etc.  You won't have to worry too much about the flooring of a greenhouse you will be moving around during the season.  Laying down the weed cloth and covering it, is easier if you do it before you erect your foundation or framework.  You can work on it while you wait for your greenhouse to arrive.

ACCESSORIES

• benches
• hanging rods
• misting systems
• shading
• heaters
• fans, intake & exhaust
• automatic vent openers
• base vents
• min/max thermometers and humidity meters
• in home weather monitor
• electricity & water sources
• automatic waterers
• hydroponics
• anchoring kits
• insulation blankets
• extra roof vents & extra windows
• thermostat controls
• extra doors
• expansion kits
• benificial insects
• coir for starter mixes
• books on greenhouse growing

You may not need all of the accessories available in the world of Greenhouse Gardening, but it's good to know what is available if you want to try some of them in the future.  Some greenhouses come with a package that includes some of the essentials of greenhouse growing.  You can find out more about each of the accessories listed by visiting our web site 4Seasongreenhouses.com.

 

Rule of the Green Thumb

"If you buy a greenhouse based solely on your current gardening expectations, it will be too small within one year!"

The Excitement of Owning a Greenhouse

Mini Pro 8' x 10'

Your greenhouse can meet all of these needs plus give you the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from growing plants or adding to the beauty of your home, garden and landscape.

A greenhouse lets you create an environment you control for optimal lighting and humidity levels which allows you to store bulbs and plants for the winter and makes a great place to propagate new plants.

First, you will need to decide which greenhouse will best suit your needs. We know this is not as easy as it sounds. We are here to help you make the right choice for your individual needs and plans. Buying a greenhouse is a big investment for most people, so it's important to get it right. Once it is built, it is very difficult to change the plan. Think about what you need in a greenhouse today, as well as what the future needs will be. Almost every greenhouse grower wishes for more space than they have now, so be sure you get a size you will be happy with in the long run.

Greenhouse gardening has become so popular that the same materials a professional nursery would use are now available for the home greenhouse. You may see some new words while making your choice. Polycarbonate is a man made material that is being use in the construction of bridges because of its strength and flexibility. It is used for the glazing material and in some models, the frames.

Our buying guide and greenhouse reviews will help you make the right choice for you.

Polycarbonate