How to Choose the Right Type of Greenhouse for Your Garden?

If you have a greenhouse built in your garden, you can enjoy the possibility of growing plants from anywhere in the world. However, most people do not realize that greenhouses are more than just a structure made of wood, metal, or glass.

So before you decide to get one for your garden, you should learn about the different considerations and types of greenhouses to make an informed decision. South West Greenhouses can provide you a lot more information about greenhouses to help you decide the right one.

Details to Consider

Before you start planning which type of greenhouse you want in your garden, you should think about what you need from it first. That way, you can save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run by ensuring that it turns out the way you thought it would. These are some of the factors that you should consider before choosing a greenhouse for your garden.

Types of Plants

The first step to consider while purchasing a greenhouse is to decide which type of plants you want to grow in it. Plants from various geographic locations have different needs such as humidity, temperature, soil, and others.

A greenhouse helps in maintaining these factors by insulating the inside environment and preventing the outside conditions from interfering with your plants. The amount of insulation you need will depend on the types of plants you are growing.

For example, if you wish to plant orchids in your greenhouse, you would have to maintain an optimal temperature and humidity throughout the year. That means your greenhouse should offer superior insulation not provided by some greenhouses like the crop-top style.

Ventilation of Your Greenhouse

Overheating is a common problem for greenhouses, which can affect your plants. Therefore, you must ensure that you can get the optimal ventilation to avoid overheating issues. The greenhouse design you choose should have proper vents in the structure or a provision to place exhaust fans for summer.

Ventilation is also essential to allow bees to come into your greenhouse. Bees help in pollination, which is essential for your plants. You can try pollinating manually, but it is best if you let nature take care of it. Bees can get trapped in greenhouses if they do not have adequate ventilation and prevent proper pollination.

Clarity of the Panels

The type of plants you wish to grow in your greenhouse will affect your choice of panels. Clear panels can provide unobstructed sunlight and heat, which is ideal for seeds and starters. On the other hand, some plants thrive better in greenhouses with opaque panels because they can get the diffused light from every angle.

It allows them to have more efficient photosynthesis, and they do not have to deal with hot sunlight on one side. Premium quality greenhouse panels are treated with UV protection, which can increase your plant life.

Types of Greenhouses

Once you have considered all of these factors, you can choose a greenhouse that suits your garden and needs. There are different types of greenhouses that you can install in your garden.

Multi-Span Greenhouse

Multi-span or multipurpose greenhouses are ideal for large areas with extreme climates. These greenhouses have a high roofed structure and are known to be sturdy. They are also energy efficient and retain a lot of heat. They are usually found in commercial establishments, but you can also have one if you have a large vacant area.

Crop Top Greenhouse

A crop top greenhouse usually has a glass or plastic roof without any walls. These greenhouses are budget-friendly because you can use a plastic sheet or shade cloth to create the walls. It can protect your plants from snow, rain, or excessive sunlight. But as you may have guessed, these greenhouses do not perform well in strong windy conditions.

Hoop Greenhouse

Hoop greenhouses are also budget-friendly as they are made with semicircle hoops with plastic or polycarbonate sheets on top. The round shape prevents snow or rainwater from collecting on the roof. These are sturdier than crop top greenhouses but may not withstand stormy conditions.

Dwarf Wall Greenhouse

Dwarf wall greenhouses are built on top of a low brick wall, which makes them more stable and efficient. These greenhouses last longer than other types because they can withstand extreme weather conditions.

They are also built taller, which gives you additional headroom and makes them ideal for tall or hanging plants. The 2 feet high brick wall helps in retaining heat and makes them more efficient than other greenhouses.

A-frame Greenhouses

A-frame greenhouses are popular due to their attractive triangular design. They can be made with glass or cheaper polycarbonate panels. But the downside is that you get less inside space to grow plants or take care of them due to the design.

Post and Rafter Greenhouse

Post and Rafter is the oldest and most popular design for greenhouses. They are usually made with wood, metal, and glass and have a solid structure to withstand harsh weather conditions. Despite their large size, they do not look bulky or awkward in the garden.

There are several other types of greenhouses that you can consider depending on your needs. Choosing one for your garden can be quite straightforward, but you must take time to reflect on what your plans will need. That way, you will not have to worry about making too many changes to your gardening plans in the future.