Cold Frame Greenhouses - Some Basic Information

10/20/2010

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Cold frame greenhouses are heated only by the sun, and cooled by opening top vents or placing shade cloths to protect the plants inside. These greenhouses are not only great during the growing season, but they might help you harden off plants to get a jump start on spring or even extend the growing season into the fall. They are the simplest type of greenhouse.

Choosing Cold Frame Greenhouses

First, you must realize that cold frame greenhouses can be found in many different sizes, so you must figure out exactly what your growing needs are. It is possible to purchase one, but in case you are feeling really adventurous you can build your own – even out of old windows, plastic, and PVC or wood!

Want to take a stab at that? It is possible to see a blueprint for a PVC framed greenhouse right here: http://www.pvcplans.com/coldframe.htm Since this happens to be PVC, you will find it will remain durable for many years to come!

If you live in an area with high winds or rains, you need to make sure you choose a cold frame greenhouse that will withstand the area. Make sure your fittings and hinges are rust resistant. Choose plastic or glass that is more durable to withstand the pressure. You want to be sure it can protect your precious plants!

Kits for Cold Frame Greenhouses

Cold frame greenhouse kits are also offered for the do-it-yourselfer who prefers to save money by doing the labor himself. If you choose a cold frame greenhouse kit, you also reserve the right to strengthen any portions of the cold frame greenhouse that you feel will be susceptible to adverse weather conditions. You are able to trade out fittings, hinges, and latches for rust-resistant or stronger materials at your local hardware store.

Feeling ambitious? You can even construct your greenhouse to fit over your existing garden plants! This will extend the growing season for those in the ground.

Cold frame greenhouse gardening can be more effective than container gardening when you do this. You will not have limited root growth, and the plants can soak up the sun’s rays. Love lettuce? That’s just one of the many plants that could quite possibly grow all winter with the help of a greenhouse around them!

Cold frame greenhouses are the perfect addition to any gardener’s tool shed, and can effectively increase your gardening productivity and the length of your growing season.
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Greenhouse Ventilation Systems - Things to Know

10/15/2010

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Greenhouse ventilation systems can be simple or complex, pricey or free. Choosing the perfect greenhouse ventilation system for your hobby greenhouse is often a matter of personal choice and budget restraints, but going green is always a good idea in the greenhouse.

Going Natural: Greenhouse Ventilation Systems that Use Wind

Wind-powered ventilation systems are by far the most common types of ventilation systems in non-commercial greenhouses. Natural ventilation is made possible by placing vents in the greenhouse in a strategic, staggered manner to promote circulation of air throughout the greenhouse whenever the wind blows.

You do not want to place the vents directly opposite every other, as the wind would come in one side and right out the other. Instead, the vents need to be staggered. You are able to also add a Chimney Ventilation system, which allows the hot air to rise and be pulled out, creating a vacuum that draws in cooler air and keeps it near the ground.

You are able to also get great ventilation in your greenhouse by utilizing either hinged or Louvered systems. With the Louvered, you get more control, because you can adjust them to get the flow you desire. Hinged allows air to escape, while preventing huge gusts of wind from flying through.

Getting a Little Help from Modern Science with Powered Greenhouse Ventilation Systems

Fan-powered  are also common. They aren’t very eco-friendly, however, and can run up your electric bill. To be ‘greener’, merely combine these with a natural system, and only use the fans when you absolutely need them.

If you have a larger budget for your greenhouse ventilation system, it is possible to invest in a solar powered fan system. The savings you'll enjoy on your electric bill will add up over time and eventually offset the initial outlay.

It is possible to further spruce up your natural greenhouse ventilation system by using automatic vents. These connect to a thermostat, and automatically open when the inside temperature reaches a certain point. Once a predetermined cooler temp is reached, the vents close again.

Going green with your greenhouse ventilation is a terrific way to not only save money but improve the quality of everything in your greenhouse. Whichever system you choose, you are able to be confident that you will be producing healthy, happy crops!
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How to Choose the Best Greenhouse Site

08/31/2010

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Before construction begins on your greenhouse, you must plan out where you would have the most success with it. Placement is key, so plan this out very carefully so you don't face problems in the long run which you might not have faced otherwise.

Choosing the Proper Spot for Your Greenhouse

When deciding where to position your greenhouse, the following factors must be given consideration: sunlight, drainage, land slopes, and visual aspects of the landscape.

You want to find a plot on a fairly level bit of land, with great sun exposure, and no trees to block it. Also, watch out for tree roots - they can ruin your greenhouse's foundation!

How to Position Your Greenhouse For Success

You'll want to ensure that your greenhouse receives plenty of unrestricted sunshine. This requires choosing a site that is free from the obstruction of other structures, trees, large shrubs, and hills.

If you live in the colder Northern regions, you'll want to position your greenhouse on the southern part of your property to ensure maximum sunlight exposure, even in colder months. If you live in a Southern region, you can position your greenhouse to provide additional shade if you prefer to grow crops that thrive in partial sunlight rather than full sunlight. Otherwise, a southern exposure is best.

If you are constructing a greenhouse as part of an existing structure, you may be severely limited in placement options. In this case, drainage and exposure to sunlight are the most important factors. You don’t want to position your greenhouse addition in a way that causes water to drain into your home's foundation. Nor do you want to position your greenhouse so that it only gets limited sunlight or is blocked by large trees or your home itself.

Another factor you'll need to consider when positioning your greenhouse is the location of your utilities. You'll need access to water hookups, and may need electrical outlets as well if you plan to run a fan, lighting, cooling or heating system.

A poorly placed greenhouse can quickly become a thorn in any gardener’s side. Choosing a site and positioning your greenhouse well can help you produce more impressive crops and enjoy your greenhouse gardening hobby for years to come. Consider the lay of the land, drainage potential, location of your utilities, and sunlight exposure for the best results.
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Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners - 4 Tips You Can Use

08/26/2010

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Useful greenhouse gardening tips for beginners can be hard to come by. Many tips include obvious facts like plants need sunlight, water, and soil to survive. Instead of giving you a first grade science lesson, we thought it would be more practical to give you some greenhouse gardening tips that even a newbie greenhouse gardener can put to use.

Beginner's Greenhouse Gardeing Tips - 4 Great Ones

1. You don’t need to purchase a ton of supplies to get started. A few pots, some soil, and some seeds or plants are enough to get you started. You can add more and better supplies later on, after you develop a deeper passion for greenhouse gardening and find your gardening groove. Buying everything at once can actually dampen your enthusiasm, whereas spreading out your purchases can give you something to look forward to and stoke your enthusiasm.

2. With greenhouse gardening, your growing options are only inhibited by your imagination. Want to grow hybrid tomatoes? Tropical orchids? Day lillies? It can all be yours. Any type of crop is good to go in a greenhouse environment.

3. Compost - a greenhouse gardener's best friend. It's free. You create it yourself from waste. And it is so nutrient rich your plants grow and flourish like crazy!

4. Watering - yes, too much can be a bad thing. While it is essential for plant's and all living things to survive - too much can kill them. Use well drained soil - you don't want root-rot. Many times, unless it is scorching hot, you can water every other day.

Greenhouse gardening hobbies are great, and can provide many hours of enjoyment and pleasure. You reap many rewards too - by knowing you are taking part in the cycle of life. You will be rewarded by bounties of beautiful blooms and fresh fruits and vegetables for the dinner table. And, you'll be able to teach your family a legacy that has been around since the dawn of time: how we care for the earth, and it provides for us in return!
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