How to choose a Greenhouse Kit
Greenhouse Kits for Plant Enthusiasts
My spouse and I own a gardening company in Michigan., Just Weed It, LLC. Catchy name, eh? My partner is a Master Gardener, and loves to garden. I'm more behind the scenes. I do the boring stuff like HR , customer service, marketing etc.
Over the years we have seen an increase in customers wanting to start a small greenhouse. So I researched the subject, so that we could help them, to choose the right kit for their needs. If you are considering buying a greenhouse kit, and don't know where to start, you've come to the right place. You can take advantage of our research!
First Off...Will you be growing fruits, vegetables, flowers other ornamental plants or a combination? The size of your greenhouse will rely on the info, so figure that out first. Here's a great article, that I found on the best things to grow in a greenhouse.
As I'm sure you know, most greenhouses are made up of plastic or glass materials. The greenhouse heats up the plants by acting like a blanket for them. The warmed air is retained by the walls and the roof of the green house. The plastic or glass used in greenhouse construction is specifically made to trap the energy into the greenhouse. The greenhouse prevents convection and thus prevents the heated air from escaping outside.
There are several requirements in effective plant cultivation in greenhouses as compared to plant cultivation outdoors. Special care is needed to be able to prevent pests and diseases from infesting the plants. The greenhouse’s temperature should also be monitored so as to give the plants the optimum conducive environment for their growth. These are all things you need to consider, when starting out. You'll need the right supplies. (Email me and I'll send you a free copy of the supplies needed)
But back to choosing the greenhouse! There are a lot of greenhouse kits available out there for people who would want to put up their own greenhouses for commercial plant cultivation or as a plain hobby. Perhaps you didn't even think about the fact that you could grow some awesome peppers and tomatoes, and sell them at your farmer's market or at a roadside stand? Or perhaps you'd like fresh smelling flowers in your home daily?
OK for whatever your reason to start a greenhouse here are some of the available kits that are on the market:
Indoor Greenhouse
Not everyone has a backyard to set up a green house. If you don't, you CAN have one in your home of apartment. In fact you can make your own with a few supplies and a bit of time to spare. If you have kiddos, I'm sure they'd like to help making them. We found a great site that has 15 DIY indoor greenhouses. For those of us, who don't have the time or energy, check out these indoor greenhouses under fifty bucks!
PVC Frame
These are greenhouses which provide economy for people who would want to engage in simple plant cultivation. The kits often come with structures which are protected from ultra-violet rays. They also include bench setup and an exhaust fan. They are made with a PVC frame, and a covering made up of plastic. They provide optimum environments for plant cultivation. If you are a beginner, I recommend starting with one of these. They are a lot of fun, and easy to set up. For under a hundred bucks you can get a nice little set-up. Click here to see my favorite PVC Greenhouse.
Portable
These are very inexpensive greenhouse kits which are very easy to assemble and disassemble. They are recommended for seasonal gardening because one can easily put them up and store them away when they are no longer needed. If you are in a colder climate you should consider a portable greenhouse. There are a lot of choices in portable greenhouses. But some aren't as easy as to assemble as the manufacturer states. But the Eagle Peak is simple. It's like a pop-up. You can put it up all by yourself. Best part is that you don't even need tools! They are offering a $10 off coupon their Eagle Peak too!
Palram
Palram brand greenhouse kits are very popular for those who are getting a little more serious about their greenhouse hobby. They are well made and offer a (5) year warranty. They start at about four hundred bucks. Check out their Hybrid Hobby Greenhouse. It has everything you need to have a great little greenhouse. Well....not so little it has 48 sq feet of growing space! That's a lot of tomatoes! It has excellent reviews.
Poly Bicarbonate
These greenhouse kits have Poly Bicarbonate” panels. They have the clarity that is offered by glass, without the worries of glass. They look really cool in your backyard. You'll look like a pro! Of course they are more expensive....start at a grand and go up from there. We like the Rion Grand Gardener, which starts around seventeen hundred dollars. It has a sleek design, and virtually unbreakable 4 mm thick twin-wall polycarbonate roof panels which are 100% UV protected and high impact resistant
Sunshine Brand
These are greenhouse kits which are framed by fantastic redwood. They have polycarbonate insulations for covering the plants. Another good thing about the sunshine greenhouse kits is that they provide a lot of space because they have very tall frames (usually 10 feet tall). They are also very easy to install because the insulated polycarbonate insulations are already built into the frame. Their prices range from a thousand dollars to around four thousand. If you are interested you can take a look at their website.
Cross Country
These are high quality greenhouses which have several modified options available. They are framed with aluminum which provides sturdy support for the greenhouse. They also come with doors with screened windows and an automatic ventilation system. They are priced from $2,500 to $30,000 dollars. They can be quite expensive but the price speaks of their quality. Unless you are an avid gardener, with years of experience, you probably shouldn't consider one of these! Here is a link to what they have to offer. Cross Country.
In closing there are many kinds of greenhouses for different kinds of enthusiasts out there. One must be keen in choosing the kit that suits his needs and preferences. Moreover, he must be able to know which greenhouse will provide the optimum environment for the growth of the plants which he will be cultivating.