Views: 50 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-04-26 Origin: Site
A greenhouse is the best way to extend your growing season or grow exotic plants that otherwise wouldn’t thrive in the climate you live in. But their various types and uses vary,
points out Veronica Lorson Fowler, a master gardener based in Ames, Iowa, and author of a number of gardening books. "A hoop-type greenhouse/row cover that is temporary might be fine for those gardeners who simply want an early start on cool-season vegetables, like lettuces and other greens," she says. "A serious orchid collector will want a sturdy wood- or metal-framed greenhouse with excellent climate-control features, like venting systems, fans, and depending on the climate, a heating system with an alarm."
Home-Complete Walk-in Greenhouse at Hantechn
porayhut Pop Up Mini Greenhouse Cover at Amazon
Ohuhu Mini Greenhouse at Amazon
E-X Frames 8 ft. W x 10ft. D Greenhouse at Wayfair
Farm Plastic Supply Clear Greenhouse Plastic Sheeting at Amazon
Outsunny Lean-To Greenhouse at Wayfair
Giantex Cold Frame Greenhouse at Amazon
Outsunny Walk-In Greenhouse at Home Depot
IKEA Senapskal Greenhouse at Ikea
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Our pick for the best overall greenhouse is the Home-Complete Walk-In Greenhouse. This budget-friendly greenhouse has a sturdy steel frame and a durable PVC plastic cover that controls the greenhouse temperature and lighting, keeps out pests, and encourages plants to thrive all year long.
One of the best features about this top-rated greenhouse, which can be used indoors and outdoors, is its size and light weight (20 pounds). You'll find it small enough for most outdoor spaces such as patios, but large enough to walk comfortably into to manage your plants and move items. Also, it's easy to assemble without tools. We appreciated that the kit includes ropes and anchors.
We like that this greenhouse includes eight durable shelves, which offer plenty of space to store small and large plants, plant and seed trays, lights, and other gardening accessories and tools. Use the included zip ties to keep them standing upright.
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When most of us think "greenhouse," we tend to envision the mammoth structures dotting botanical centers. Consider the Porayhut Pop Up Mini Greenhouse Cover the anti-mammoth. Measuring just over 30 inches tall, it has room enough for one large plant or a few smaller plants. "More utilitarian and less attractive greenhouses can be tucked behind garages on that side of the house that is seldom used," points out our consulted expert, Veronica Lorson Fowler. We found it quick to set up out of the box. However, while it folds up for storage, some users may have difficulty making the product fold absolutely flat.
You always can see how your plant is doing, since the structure is entirely transparent. Should you need to administer TLC or ventilate the air, simply open the roll up transparent PE plastic cover that the manufacturer says is UV-protected and waterproof.
What We Like Heavy-duty steel frame Four shelves for easy storage No tools needed for assembly UV-resistant, antioxidant cover | What We Don't Like Not very stylish |
The Ohuhu Mini Greenhouse is our top pick for small spaces because it offers plenty of storage space and has a high-quality cover, all at a reasonable price. It measures 2.5 feet wide and just under 2 feet deep. But at almost 5.5 feet tall, you have a four-shelf skyscraper to allow space for perhaps a dozen small plants. The manufacturer says each shelf, buoyed by thick tubes, can support up to 22 pounds. Shelves include ropes, so you can affix your plants to the poles.
This greenhouse’s cover is made of durable PE plastic, with reinforced gridlines for durability. It has a zippered, resealable door, and provides ample protection against harsh weather conditions. The poles that make up the heavy-duty frame are thick enough to provide stability. But they also can be easily detached, so you can move or store the greenhouse in the off-season. We have noted that despite manufacturer claims of protection against frost, this product may not protect against extreme cold in northern climates.
What We Like Great value for the size Can cover an entire garden Easy to set up | What We Don't Like Not made for harsh weather |
A portable greenhouse can be especially helpful if you want to protect your garden or certain plants during winter months only. The Outsunny Walk In Greenhouse doesn’t offer storage shelves, like other options in this roundup. But its size and structure make it perfect for a beginner who needs a solution for a large garden area.
This 11.5-foot-tall greenhouse has a traditional walk-in tunnel structure with a roll-up entrance and windows for ventilation. The transparent PE plastic cover protects plants and allows enough sunlight to pass through. One thing to note is that this greenhouse is not rated for snow or high winds, and is recommended in milder climates with little or no snow.
To find the best greenhouses for specific needs and uses, we researched dozens of options in all sizes, ranking them based on material, structural stability, and overall value.
There are many types of greenhouses available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The best greenhouse for you will depend on your specific needs and situation. Some factors to consider when choosing a greenhouse include:
Size: The size of your greenhouse will depend on the amount of space you have available and how many plants you plan to grow.
Materials: Greenhouses can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, polycarbonate, and polyethylene. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks.
Climate: Your local climate will affect the type of greenhouse you choose. If you live in a colder climate, you may want a greenhouse that can be heated, while if you live in a hot and humid climate, you may want a greenhouse with good ventilation.
Budget: Greenhouses can vary greatly in price, so it's important to consider your budget when making your selection.
Purpose: The purpose of your greenhouse will also influence your choice. Are you growing plants for personal use or for sale? Will you be using the greenhouse year-round or just during certain seasons?
Some popular greenhouse options include:
Glass greenhouses: These are classic greenhouses that offer excellent light transmission and are aesthetically pleasing. However, they can be expensive and fragile.
Polycarbonate greenhouses: These greenhouses are lightweight, durable, and offer good insulation. They are a good choice for colder climates.
Polyethylene greenhouses: These are affordable and easy to set up, but they don't offer as much insulation as other materials.
Hoop houses: These are simple, low-cost structures that can be easily assembled and disassembled. They are a good choice for seasonal use or for those on a tight budget.
Ultimately, the best greenhouse for you will depend on your specific needs and situation. It's important to do your research and consider all factors before making a purchase.
One of the main benefits of greenhouses is they extend your yearly growing season, allowing you to have plants when they can’t be grown outdoors. This allows you to start seeds for your vegetable or flower gardens earlier in the spring and perhaps keep plants alive and producing longer into the fall. However, you can grow virtually anything in a greenhouse, from vegetables and herbs to your favorite houseplants and flowers. It’s just a matter of maintaining a proper temperature and humidity to help them thrive.
It’s important to maintain an appropriate temperature and humidity level within your greenhouse, and there are a few ways to do this. A thermometer is a must to monitor the temperature, which should stay around 80 to 85 degrees. When it gets too hot, it’s important to open vents and turn on any fans to help cool the space. You also can prop the door open or use a shade cloth to maintain the temperature.
Good ventilation also helps control humidity levels. You should take care to properly water plants to prevent the space from getting too humid. Bugs can infest your greenhouse, so stay on top of pest control, inspecting new plants for bugs before you bring them in. It’s also important to wash the greenhouse's interior and exterior panels at least once a year to keep them clean. If too much grime accumulates, it can prevent sunlight from reaching your plants.
When installing your greenhouse, choose a level spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Keep the structure away from any trees that would cast shade over it, and make sure the location is easily accessible since you probably visit it every day.
If you plan to use your greenhouse year-round, it’s best to have the ridge of the structure run east-west, as this maximizes light in winter. However, if you’re only going to use the greenhouse in spring and summer, align the ridge north-south, which gives it an equal amount of sun on each side and reduces the risk of overheating on hot days.
Which method you choose depends largely on your budget and personal preferences. The Royal Horticulture Society (RHS), Britain's leading gardening charity, recommends electric sources, even though they are costly, because they offer close control over the temperature and do not use combustion products, which can harm plants.1 Electric options include a fan heater, or a ground-source heat pump. Less expensive options include gas and oil systems such as boilers. But you must ensure proper ventilation, or your plants could be harmed. Other possibilities are solar panels, hot beds, and heated propagators.