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Gardening The Wooden Greenhouse Way

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Wooden greenhouse is generally built from plans, as a complete greenhouse is often far too heavy to ship economically. Builders can select their own woods, some examples including cedar and pine, from which to craft the greenhouse. Builders have the option of building the wooden greenhouse exactly from the plans or creating their own unique model. The wood must be finished with a waterproof coating so it can withstand the rigors of the weather. Once complete, these greenhouses are  a permanent addition to your home that can be used to grow healthy plants for years to come.

Wooden Greenhouse Kits

Wooden Greenhouse

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

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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