Want to be successful at greenhouse gardening? A little research now can save you a lot of frustration and dollars.
• Don’t buy anything until you make sure the greenhouse you want complies with the building codes where you live. (Some smaller kits may qualify as portable structures.)
• Choose your site first if you want a freestanding greenhouse. That will influence many other factors you must decide on, such as size and glazing, says Therese Lundvall of Charley’s Greenhouse & Garden. If there are trees nearby, for instance, you may want to choose polycarbonate glazing instead of much-more-breakable glass. Ideally, the site should be level and well-drained, says Mike Helle of Sunshine GardenHouse, and situated where it works best for you. (Are you willing to trek through snow to reach your greenhouse?)
• Glazing is important; tempered glass offers greatest clarity and makes a greenhouse appear bigger. TwinWall (two-layer polycarbonate) and TripleWall are tougher, and diffuse the light. TripleWall is the most efficient insulator, says Lundvall.
• Accessories are extra. A kit price usually does not include such things as benches, fans, heaters. Know what’s covered.
• Don’t forget utilities; fans are essential for air circulation, as are vents, and most greenhouses need supplemental heat and lights. Any electrical wiring must be done by a professional. You’ll also need water, preferably hot and cold. Factor these ongoing costs into your plans.
• Consider the foundation; Many kits suggest treated wood 4x4s, firmly anchored, or a concrete knee wall. Again, make sure you comply with your town’s building codes. Interior flooring should be fast-draining, such as crushed stone or brick.
• Attached or unattached? If you choose a greenhouse or solarium that’s attached to your house, the size and shape of it may be constrained by rooflines, doors, windows, chimneys, and so on, says Bob LaRouche of Glass Enclosures Unlimited.
