YOUR GREEN HOUSE PLAN

That’s it: you’re hooked. The desire for your own greenhouse is proof that you’re ready to dig a little deeper. If you want to cultivate those exotic dainties, or get a head start on the growing season, or have delicious fresh produce longer than a normal outdoor garden can provide, building your own greenhouse can be fantastically satisfying. However, there are some basic considerations to take into account before you begin building, and having a green house plan that covers the critical points is vital. You don’t want to put effort and time into building something, only to discover later that it’s inefficient or even useless. Here are the big issues to sort out for your coming green house plan.





It's Real Estate, Right? Location, Location, Location…
One of the first things to consider in your green house plan is location and size. How big do you want your green house to be, and do you have the space to accommodate that? If you’re aiming for something that will allow you to have tropical plants or ones that aren’t as hardy as others, then you may only need a small amount of space. Even so, your green house plan should anticipate enough space to move around freely. Bumping into pots or having to constantly hunch so you don’t hit your head isn’t the ideal, and planning for height and space is important.

What about the space for the building itself? Your green house plan needs to incorporate enough space to work around the structure. If not, the building may become a nuisance rather than a sanctuary. Sit down and draw out your lawn or yard, then plot out where your green house will be. Will you be able to pass by it easily or does it block any entrance or exit you may want to keep open? If so, you’ll come to resent it. Placement is crucial to success here.





The Engine of Growth: Sunlight Equals Success
The next thing you’ll need to figure out in your green house plan is the amount of sunlight the building itself will receive, and the number of hours in a day the sun will be able to warm the inside of your green house. While full-day sun is optimal, morning sun is the best light to have, and if that’s all the light the building will receive, the problem isn’t a large one and you can still continue with your green house plan. If there are too many trees, or the light only hits the glass for very short intervals, then the greenhouse will be ineffective and you’ll either have to change location or remove obstacles to the sun.

Once space, size, location and sunlight have been considered in your green house plan, then you’ll move on to building materials, types of glass or plastic, and framing. From there, you’ll need to consider interior implements, such as shelving, tables, storage and misting devices or water proximity. If you have taken the time to make sure you have a good green house plan and know that your structure will be properly placed and well-heated, then everything else becomes personal choice, and a matter of taste. What’s important is that your greenhouse itself has been thought out from the very basics before working on the interior design.