Wooden Greenhouse Kits

Instead of building a wood greenhouse completely from scratch, many builders choose to purchase a kit. Kits include most or all of the hardware needed to assemble the shed, and are often designed to make a very specific shed model. Hardware like steel joints, door hinges, screws, and light panels make building the shed a whole lot easier. The greenhouse light panels can be especially difficult to find/manufacture without a greenhouse kit. Users only need to purchase the wood, protective lacquer and any other additions they would like to make.

Design

Wooden greenhouses are designed to keep humidity inside the unit to promote plant growth. Light panels on the roof and sides allow sunlight to enter so the plants can grow. Light panels on the top are usually opaque to diffuse the harsh sunlight. These panels can be made from fiberglass or plastic and sit inside the wooden structure like glass panels in a picture frame. Builders include at least one hinged or sliding door at the front of the greenhouse for access. If you plan on moving large pots or small trees in/out of the wooden greenhouse, a larger door is preferred. Clear panels can be placed in the door to allow light in and create a “French door” look.

Wooden or metal shelves/benches are recommended to increase the size of your growing space. Shelves allow users to stack plant pots over one another while still letting ample light reach the plant’s leaves. A roof vent on each side of the greenhouse is recommended to allow excess heat to escape in the summer months.

Although cedar and pine are viable wood materials to use in a wooden greenhouse, I personally recommend Redwood. While more expensive, Redwood is exceptionally resistant to the weather and, as a hardwood, is very strong. Insects, decay and weather conditions are all resisted without any special treatment. While some type of wood treatment is recommended, Redwood can effectively last a lifetime without human intervention.

Some people like to take advantage of the strength and beauty of wood by building their wood greenhouse with a shed add-on. A storage shed add-on adds to the dimension of the greenhouse and allows user to conveniently store their gardening supplies nearby.

Laying the Foundation

A proper foundation is always advised, especially when building a wooden greenhouse on dirt or grass. The foundation can be made from wood or concrete, whichever you prefer. The foundation should be sturdy and capable of supporting the weight of the greenhouse and its contents.

Conclusion

Wood greenhouses offer both functionality and beauty, but one should carefully consider whether or not it is the best choice for them. These greenhouses are permanent structures and will stand as long as your home does. While they can be moved in some cases, it takes a tremendous amount of effort to dismantle and transport them. These structures can grow some amazing greenhouse seeds when constructed properly. Building a greenhouse from scratch or from a kit allows people to create a personalized structure, and along with it comes personal pride.

Needs something a bit smaller? Visit our post on the indoor greenhouse.

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Fan Cycle Greenhouse Heaters

There are two basic types of greenhouse heaters. A fan-type heater has an internal fan which sucks air in through the back and pushes hot air out the front. These types are very efficient, as they keep the air moving and cycling. As David Oreck says, “You’ve got to move the air to clean the air”. The same is true for greenhouse heaters except that they heat air and not clean it. Larger greenhouses require a bigger heater to circulate heated air to all parts of the greenhouse. for the serious gardener, heavy duty industrial models are available which have a huge capacity. Most gardeners will do well with a smaller, lightweight consumer greenhouse heater. A workshop heater may do in a pinch, but ones designed for greenhouses are the safest for this purpose.

Lamp Heaters

A lamp greenhouse heater works in a different way than the fan heaters. These models have no moving parts, but instead use a heater lamp to warm the area. Commonly called an electric ceramic heater, these models can heat a decent sized area but are best suited to be pointed directly on a specific series of plants. Many of these are only made for indoor greenhouse use, so be sure to check the product details if you intend to put it outside. One drawback is that the lamp bulb will need occasional replacement, although they last quite a long time. A safety guard keeps wandering hands and tools from touching and breaking the bulb. It is not suggested that these heaters be used in mini greenhouses, as they are simply too small and can overheat inside. I suggest using an overhead grow lamp for smaller greenhouses. Any large structure such as a lean to greenhouse can handle a heater just fine.

Additional Features To Look for

Automatic On/Off: A thermostat controller eliminates the need to turn the heater on or off when needed, and also helps to save power. The built in thermostat tells the heater when to turn on or off. As temperatures warm up during the day, the system will shut itself off. As night approaches, the heater will work to keep your greenhouse seeds warm.

Temperature Indicator: A temperature indicator tells users when the system has reached proper temperature. It also informs you when the heater is trying to reach proper temperature.

Safety Tip-Over Switch: Essential for both outdoor and indoor environments, a tip-over switch turns the heater off when it has accidentally fallen over. This prevents fires which may occur when flammable objects come in contact with the heater for extended periods of time. This is especially important for heaters placed in a wooden greenhouse, which can be flammable.

Manual Temperature Control: This simply allows users to set their own temperature settings, overriding the heater “autopilot” mode.

Carry Handle: Pretty self-explanatory, but a carry handle can be quite helpful with heater models bordering lightweight and heavy.

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Table Top Indoor Greenhouse

Small yet effective, table top greenhouses are a great way to start seedlings and get them ready for transplant into the garden. Just like a full sized greenhouse, humidity gathers underneath the cover, providing the heat and moisture necessary to keep greenhouse seeds alive. With the cover in place, the soil is kept moist at all times. The greenhouse should be kept near a window to receive proper sunlight. The indoor green house base typically has individual seed pockets in which soil is placed. One seed per pocket makes it easy to transplant the section into your garden. Peat pads can also be placed inside. Another helpful tip is to use a seedling warmer underneath the greenhouse (see picture). These mats are placed underneath the seed plot to keep the roots warm. Warmth is essential especially if your home gets cold at night.

Special Features

The most basic indoor greenhouse is composed of a soil base container and a clear plastic top. However, there are models that have additional features that can help gardeners get the most out of their system.

The greenhouse pictured to the right has what is called an automatic watering system. The container underneath the greenhouse holds water which seeps up into the soil through fiberglass tubes. The fiberglass tubes regulate the amount of moisture in the soil, keeping the plants watered. Simply refill the water container whenever it gets low. Gardeners who go on trips or are very busy can appreciate this low maintenance feature.

Greenhouse Gardening Light

When growing plants indoors, it can be difficult to give plants the sunlight they need, especially if you live in an area with frequent overcast. A greenhouse grow light can be placed over your plants to give them full, lush light even in a room without windows such as a garage or basement. These lights are very efficient, providing a wide range of light frequencies needed for healthy growth of any kind of gardening plants, including veggies, fruits,flowers and herbs. Their power is rated in lumens, the standard output rating for these lights. I do not recommend using a greenhouse hater with these units for fear of melting the plastic or burning the plants.

Enhanced Soil / Compost

Advanced gardeners frequently employ a composting tumbler to create nutrient rich soil for their greenhouse gardening.

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When and if you are ready to upgrade to a full-sized growing environment, try using a compact lean to greenhouse.

A wooden greenhouse is the most beautiful of the full-sized models.

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Design
The innovative design of a lean to greenhouse can be seen just by looking at it. The structure is made of rigid materials oriented in a triangular and square pattern for a sturdy frame. The tallest side sits

A Medium Sized Lean To

up against your house and forms the fourth wall. Large, walk-in varieties can accommodate shelving systems to place plant pots and troughs on. The door can be sealed during and after tending to keep the internal climate optimal. The walk-in varieties can range from a few feet wide to large 8’ x 12’ units and larger. Choosing a size depends on how much gardening you plan on doing. Perform a walk through of a sample greenhouse at a home improvement store to get a feel for what you’ll need. Chances are you’ll like your lean-to so much that you will quickly run out of room. If you can afford it, you can get a greenhouse bigger than what you expect to need to accommodate your changing needs.

By the way, if you’re having trouble finding a place for a full sized greenhouse, consider getting a mini greenhouse. They are very flexible and can even be used indoors.

The lean to greenhouse is a semi-permanent structure once set up, so it may be difficult to move once in place. If you later decide that you need a bigger one, there are expansion lean to greenhouse kits available to increase the size of your greenhouse. Leave some extra space on the side of your house just in case. Inside, shelving can be installed to organize plants and make the most use out of the available space. If your greenhouse kit does not come with shelving, I would recommend purchasing these at the same time you get the greenhouse. This will ensure a smooth assembly.

Lean-to Versus Stand Alone
Some creative individuals have remodeled their homes to include a door that leads directly out to the lean-to. This kind of convenience just isn’t possible with a stand-alone greenhouse. Out in the open, it is directly exposed to powerful sunlight, wind and rain. Up against a house, a lean-to is protected and insulated by your home.

Features To Consider:

Small And Practical

Assembly: Depending on the size of the greenhouse, more than one person may be required for assembly. You will find that the larger units are more complicated to set up. I would highly suggest getting lean to greenhouse kits that offer “easy set-up” There are several reasons for this. Most importantly, these kits offer quick set up to get you gardening as fast as possible. Also, an easy to assemble kit allows people who are not technically experienced to enjoy green housing.

Materials: A greenhouse made out of metal is going to last longer and be more sturdy than one made of plastic. Plastic can degrade and discolor in the sun over time. Also, plastic’s natural lightweight nature makes it more prone to tip-over in the wind. Aluminum is the perfect material for a lean-to because it is not only lightweight and strong, but it resists rust. Steel is an excellent material as well, but care must be taken not to scratch the paint coating, or rust can easily form in rain or humidity. The wall panels of the greenhouse will most likely be made of semi-opaque polycarbonate.

Stakes / Wall Mounts: Even the heaviest of greenhouses can be prone to leaning or tipping over time. Make sure the kit comes with stakes and/or wall mounts to securely fasten it into place.

Heat Vent: A heat vent lets hot air escape out the top of the greenhouse. In hot weather, excessive heat buildup can damage plants. An adjustable vent allows users to control heat levels as needed.

Can Be Placed Against Any Sturdy Wall

Automatic Watering System: If you don’t have the time to constantly tend to your plants, consider installing an auto-watering system that attaches to your hose. A pump opens and closes at set intervals to keep the pots moist.

Greenhouse Heater: Cold nights can be damaging to plants, especially in freezing conditions. If your nights are particularly harsh, consider placing a greenhouse heater inside during these times. This prevents you from having to bring the pots inside.

Gardening With A Greenhouse
So, what makes a lean to greenhouse so special as compared to planting in the bare ground? The secret is the protective qualities it provides to plants. A lean-to holds in moisture to keep plants properly watered. Plants in bare dirt are constantly prone to drying out. The walls act as an insulator to keep warmth inside. UV light blocking polycarbonate wall panels keep the “bad light” out and the good light in to prevent scorched, dried-out leaves. Seasonal plants can be grown off-season because of the ideal conditions inside.

Check out Vegetable Garden Planting for great tips on gardening.

greenhouses, lean to greenhouse, gardening, plants, outdoor

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The Greenhouse Environment

Greenhouse Sprouts

Whatever your needs, there is a greenhouse for you. Once inside, the greenhouse seeds with experience the perfect growing environment.
So, what types of greenhouse seeds can be put inside? Just about any seed can be grown in a greenhouse, including luscious fruit, hearty vegetables and prize-winning flowers. And the best thing is they can be grown all-year round. Pots, troughs, and hanging planters can be put inside the room. Feel free to plant multiple types of seeds inside, paying attention to the required climate of each. Different plants will have varying needs and plants of similar requirements can be grown together. Depending on the size of the house, you can supplement your meals with fruits and vegetables by growing them yourself. It’s a cost saving way to turn a small packet of seeds into something valuable. Some examples of garden seeds you can grow are lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes.

Year Round Growing

Yearly weather cycles can still be taken advantage of to grow your crops. During the spring, you can plant seeds both inside and outside your greenhouse to double your capacity. When winter rolls around, harvest your crops and switch over to your greenhouse to continue growing spring foods. If you own an outdoor unit, the greenhouse seeds will probably require a heater to keep the inside warm in the cold. Specially designed greenhouse heaters are available and are quite cost effective. Before purchasing a greenhouse, check the product info to see if your unit comes with a greenhouse heater. Heaters on automatic timers are a great way to enjoy worry-free plant care. With all the growing you’ll be doing, you can even start saving seeds from veggies and use them for the next crop. That way, you will never have to buy seeds again! Herb seeds grow very quickly and can be used on dishes at home. It’s a great alternative to processed foods.

Added Features

Walk In Greenhouse

During the hot season, take care to avoid over heating the inside. If your greenhouse has a side that faces the sun a lot, consider putting up a roller shade on that side. While it is important to let ample light in to feed the plants, too much can over heat the inside. If you have a busy schedule and can’t find the time to water properly, consider an automatic watering system. The great thing about an automatic system is that it comes on at set intervals to keep the plants watered perfectly. Use a bit of trial-and-error to come up with the best watering intervals. Most systems attach to your gardening hose and are regulated by a water pump. Pressure is left on the hose so the system can operate. Distribute a watering line to each pot for the best coverage. Except for plants like cacti, the dirt should be kept moist and not be allowed to dry out. Older, more developed plants are less susceptible to short periods of drought, but small seedlings can perish within a day without proper moisture. A greenhouse helps regulate moisture by providing a humid environment. A greenhouse seed has a clear advantage over a seed grown with less protection.

Choosing A Spot

As a prospective first time greenhouse owner, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to determine how much space is available in your outdoor space. If you have a spot of level and solid land, measure the length and width to determine what size greenhouse you can accommodate. I would advise against using grass or dirt as the final location, as these areas can become soft and pliable when wet. The weight of the greenhouse could result in it sinking or sloping to one side. Use a spot with concrete or brick, preferably. As discussed earlier, you will need to decide if you will need a heater of watering system. Unless you are comfortable with covering up your plants at night, a patio heater is advised. Auto watering systems can give you an advantage and keep the plants healthy. These items don’t have to be purchased with the unit, either. You can shop around for the best deal and install it in the greenhouse. I would also consider installing a light of some sort so you can see at night.

Materials

Greenhouse Heater

Material choice in the greenhouse construction is a combination of your needs and preference. Wood works great if kept clean and free of excessive moisture. If you live in a rainy area, it may cause a wooden greenhouse to rot or discolor. Wood is also heavier and not as easy to move as a plastic or aluminum greenhouse. Plastic units are lightweight and quick to setup. They often come in a manageable box and require some setup on your part. The plastic is often combined with a nylon mesh material for the walls and roof. While not as sturdy as a metal frame, the plastic structures are great for people who want to own a full sized unit and save money. Aluminum is a great option because it is strong, lightweight and does not rust. If you can afford an aluminum model, I would suggest it. With any greenhouse, try to secure all four corners into the ground. Unexpected wind can easily shift or topple a lightweight unit.

Conclusion

To make the most out of garden seeds and get your money’s worth, be sure to read all instructions that accompany the unit. Gardening all year round is an exciting endeavor and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Get the family involved and you will have delicious, healthy crops grown in no time from simple garden seed. Different sizes of greenhouses are available, each serving a different need. If you find you only want to grow a handful of herbs & spices, consider a smaller countertop unit.

Are you new to vegetable gardening?  Then visit www.vegetable-gardening-made-easier.com for instructions, videos, pictures and ideas for creating your own vegetable garden.

New gardeners can check out this page for helpful advice:  Beginner’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening

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