Getting Started

The world inside a hobby greenhouses is a special one, a place where seasons and climates don't matter. In a greenhouse exotic plants bloom, tropical fruits and fresh vegetables are ready to be harvested even in cooler months or if your greenhouse is heated and insulated in the dead of winter. When you enter you cut yourself off from the world,  you work in the soil and tend to your plants oblivious to the weather outside. You can now grow species you've never grown before and try new gardening techniques in a controlled environment.

In the past greenhouses were a luxury, today there are nearly 3 million hobby greenhouses in the U.S. and the number is expected to grow. The internet has some nice gardening web sites and greenhouse builder's sites and there are scores of models to choose from; you can research and build your own, use step-by-step plans, buy a kit (you still have to put it together) or have a contractor build one for you. Careful planning will ensure that your new greenhouse is suited to your needs. You must first select an appropriate site where there is plenty of  sunlight, then determine what type of greenhouse you want: the size, style, and covering.

The following web pages will act as a guide to purchasing or building a hobby greenhouse.

A nice thing about Google ads is that they provide additional info on greenhouse framing and styles. 

Planning Your Greenhouse

You must first assess your needs. How big of a greenhouse do I need? Hobby greenhouse owners suggest making it larger than you anticipate using, because once you start gardening you'll probably want to expand. In many cases the size of your property will dictate the size of the structure. Is the purpose of the greenhouse to grow foliage house plants or to grow veggies and flowers. A warm greenhouse that permits maximum light isn't necessary for foliage house plants. If your like me and use the greenhouse for both, take the sunny location and use shading (shade cloth or a large tree at mid-day will do.How elaborate of a structure do I need? If you simply want to start your garden early and are not worried about aesthetics you can use the hoop and plastic style. They are easy to assemble and portable, you can move the smaller structures to different parts of the garden as the need arises. Most folks nowadays want something that will look good in their backyards, perhaps complement their deck, gazebo or fence. These types of greenhouse would use a polycarbonate or fiberglass covering and cedar or redwood for the framing and walls. More elaborate glass enclosed structures that have cement foundations, heating and electrical systems are very expensive and not a do it your-self project. Is a building permit necessary? Are there local design ordinances? Deciding where your going to locate your green house is crucial. Unless it's a portable and  built from a kit  it's there  to stay unless your willing to go to a lot of expense and effort to move it. The first consideration is sunlight and it's critical  to locate the greenhouse where it will get at least 6 hrs of direct sun a day. The preferred exposure is southern, then southeastern, southwestern, eastern, and western. A northern exposure is too shady for a greenhouse. An east-west facing greenhouse will get 25% more light than a north-south as it presents more surface to the sun at a right angle. Take note of any trees, fences or other obstacles that may shut off light for a major portion of daylight hrs. Drainage is another key consideration in selecting a site. Find a level spot, do not locate it in a depression that will act as a catch basin for rain and snow. Also avoid a boggy area where the soil is always wet. Access to water and electricity is important, the further away the more laborious it is to run the utility lines there. Consider too, the difficulty in walking to your greenhouse in inclement weather.

Framing Styles   

The style of the greenhouse you select depends on such factors as how permanent you want the structure to be, whether it will be free standing or attached to the house, and the type of snow loads in your area. The following are the major styles of greenhouses that can be purchased: Attached, A-frame, Gothic Arch and the Span Roof (Sun Country Greenhouse). Manufacturers such as Cedar Built, Sturdi Built, Gothic Arch Greenhouses, Sunshine Garden House and B.C. Greenhouses use the following:

Attached
Also called a lean-to, this type of greenhouse is an extension of the home. There is usually direct access to the house, water and electricity are easily extended to the structure. In northern climates, an attached greenhouse should not be located under a sloping roof because of icicles and snow slides.

A-Frame
Simple to construct, the A-frame can be built in sections on the ground and then raised into place and covered. Although the shape is ideal for heavy snow loads, it provides limited head room and is difficult to ventilate.

Gothic Arch
The gothic roof line is made from laminated strips over which a permanent covering is installed. Extremely decorative, it is a challenging project, because of the layout and lamination of the arches takes time. This style is a good choice for regions with lots of rain and snow; the curved sides keep precipitation from collecting.                  

Span Roof
This freestanding style probably has the most typical and usable shape of any greenhouse. The interior layout is extremely practical, and there is easy access for a loaded wheelbarrow through a door at either end. A variation of the span roof design is the gambrel roof (barn shaped) greenhouse, however it is more difficult to build because of all the angles to cut.