If you’re thinking of bringing your love for gardening to the next level? Perhaps you’re contemplating buying a greenhouse but not quite sure whether to get one or not. In this article we will discuss the reason why you should get one, and 12 benefits associated with owning a greenhouse.
What Are Greenhouses and Why Buy One?
A greenhouse is a structure made of transparent walls and roof with the primary purpose of growing plants with regulated climatic conditions. The greenhouse may be made from glass, plastic, or polycarbonate materials. Its frames may be made from wood, aluminum, or steel. Others call it a glasshouse, hothouse, or cold frame. There are greenhouses big enough to cater to industrial production. While there are small ones for your backyard for your personal produces. [1]
The use of the greenhouse dates back as early as the Roman times for the purpose of producing vegetables all year round. This is especially true to regions with cold climates, and there are limits in the crops being produced due to unregulated temperatures.
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Why Buy a Greenhouse?
Greenhouses serve a lot of purpose, and people buy it for specified plant needs.
However, the primary reason why people buy a greenhouse is that they experience limitations with the crops they plant due to the climate. People invest in a greenhouse to plant whatever they want, whenever they want without being worried about the temperature or climate outside.
Say, for example, you want cucumber to be available all year long, but you live in Chicago. We all know cucumber cannot survive winter outdoors, so growing it in a greenhouse is your only solution. Let’s say you want to grow petunias or poinsettias, but you’re well aware they cannot thrive when exposed in too much heat, so what is the solution? A greenhouse.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Greenhouse?
With a greenhouse, the possibilities of what you can plant are endless. If you still haven’t made up your mind, here are twelve reasons that you should.
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#1 Extended Growing Season:
A greenhouse can control the climate and temperature for growing the plants you want. You won’t have to worry about swinging temperatures, rainy seasons, and winter to wither your plants.
This is beneficial for an extended growing season and year-round harvesting. Standard greenhouses can shelter heat-loving plants throughout the season. At the same time, cold-frame greenhouses are perfect to start with the seedlings to transition for outdoor planting.
#2 Protection From Different Kinds of Weather
Whether you use plastic, glass, or polycarbonate material for your greenhouse, it will protect your plants from any kind of weather. It provides shelter from unseasonal temperature swings, strong winds, rain, harsh UV from sun rays, and snow. The forces of nature are uncontrollable, and the greenhouse is the only thing that stands between your plants and its destruction from the harsh weather.
Fun fact: Did you know that too much sun exposure of plants can create free radicals that are potential hazards to these plants? As a result, this can severely damage your plants and where it can die. [2]
If your wondering if heated pads work for plants, check out this article: Why Heating Pads Aren’t Effective for Most Potted Plants
#3 Pest Prevention
It’s nice to own a garden knowing that you have a food source. But, you’re not the only one who loves eating fruits and vegetables, so as pests too. It may sound magical to hear the birds chirping in your backyard, but it’s a total disaster when they feast on your crops. There are also rabbits, moles, deer, and insects who’d love to taste your plants.
If your beloved plants are safely kept in a greenhouse, the pests will have to look for their meal from someone else’s garden. And since pest problems are minimized or eradicated, there’s no need to put pesticides on your crops. This surely can give you 100% organic fruits and vegetables, without the stress of dealing with unwanted critters.
#4 More Plant Options
Here’s one thing you’ll love about owning a greenhouse; you can plant whatever you want. You’ve been planning to produce a rare pepper? Go ahead! You wanted orchids, but worry about the climate? Place it inside your greenhouse! You’ve been aspiring to grow an exotic plant? Plant as many as you want! One of the reasons people invest in a greenhouse is the endless possibilities of plant options they can choose from. Also, you can control water usage by using drip irrigation. You can read more about it here. Drip Irrigation: Pros, Cons, and Garden Uses
#5 Portable
Another benefit of buying a greenhouse is its portability. You can transfer it anywhere you please if you haven’t still figured out the ideal spot for it. Or if you feel like you need a time-out from your gardening life, you can disassemble it and set it aside. Or if your a DIY type of person, Amazon offers a paperback book consisting of ways of constructing you own greenhouse. Click here for more information.
#6 Modified
Regardless of the size and intended purpose, you can always have a greenhouse customized. If you plan to venture into a bigger market for plants’ commercial production, you can have a greenhouse customized for your needs. You can have doors placed, windows for ventilation, solar panels, or anything you feel might help.
#7 Weed and Disease Control
An optimal and well-designed greenhouse can be beneficial to control unwanted weeds and the plants acquiring diseases. The enclosed space can restrict the ins and outs of the elements and protect the crops from disease exposure.
#8 Increased Crop Production
If you’re serious about increasing crop production for intensive agriculture, or for a self-sustainable household, or plan to sell it on your weekly farmer’s market, owning a greenhouse can help you. Since you have more control of the plant’s climate and won’t have to worry about pests feasting on your crops, you can grow more plants with a steady supply.
#9 Maximize Profits
Speaking of increased crop production, this also equates to maximizing your profits. If you’re in the agriculture industry, you already know how a greenhouse works and how it maximizes your profit. If you’re a hobbyist and you think you have enough crops to sell, why not? Not only will you have your own supply, but you’ll also realize the savings you incurred since you won’t have to buy from the supermarket anymore. You can save so much for growing your own food!
If your wondering if your efforts are worth it, click here: Is Gardening Worth All The Effort?
#10 Self-sustainability
Since you can now grow any crop you like, you can grow your own food and be self-sustainable. You cannot say that your house is self-sustainable with the solar panels and water source, but you can at least source any fruit and vegetable you like from your greenhouse garden. You can also have potential savings if you cook what you grow.
#11 Relaxation and Stress Relief
It’s undeniable that seeing your plants grow healthily relieves your stress. A greenhouse is a great place where you can enjoy the plants, breathe fresh air, have a cup of tea, and relax. Gardening is proven to reduce stress levels at any time of the year.
#12 Make a Statement
A greenhouse in your backyard can make a statement for your relatives and guests coming over. It’s a conversation starter for fellow plant lovers, and you can exchange ideas on the dos and don’ts of a greenhouse. A greenhouse will surely make a statement with its beauty.
Are Greenhouses Affordable?
Yes, greenhouses are affordable, plus in the long run, the potential savings are significant. You can purchase a 4-tier mini greenhouse for as low as $47 or have one customized at a reasonably affordable price. Click here for Amazon pricing.
Can You Build a Greenhouse Yourself?
Yes, you can build a greenhouse on your own, though it may need advanced carpentry skills. The essential step in DIY greenhouse making is planning the frame. You’re going to need a few tools, frame material (wood, steel, or PVC), and choose you can either use plastic, glass, or polycarbonate to cover the greenhouse. Think of it as building a treehouse, except that it needs more precision upon construction.
Do Greenhouses Need Maintenance?
A greenhouse needs minimal maintenance. It is essential to have annual or routine cleaning to ward off and prevent unwanted pests and diseases. It is advisable to conduct a greenhouse clean up by the end of the fall season. This includes removing crops, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
Are They Worth It?
With the thought that you can grow any plant you like, any time of the year, this is enough to say that a greenhouse is worth it. They’re not that expensive, to begin with, plus it has low-cost maintenance.
Imagine the time and effort you save without the need to transfer pots from time to time because you’re afraid your plants have too much sun exposure. The thought that you can grow your own vegetable supply makes a greenhouse worth it.
Conclusion
So regardless of your gardening style, where you live, the climate you’re experiencing, there will be no limits in your gardening goals. As long as you study the conditions of how a plant can survive, there is no limit on what you can do.
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