The greenhouse is an essential element when you want to grow plants out of season, or when you have to protect some of the frost. But it can also serve as an excuse to have a small tropical garden in the middle of the solar, especially if we complement it with a temperature regulator and a humidifier.
For all these reasons, deciding on one is not always an easy task. And it is that there are many types and it will depend on what you want to use it for whether you choose one or the other. If you are not clear about your decision, then we will explain how to choose a greenhouse.
According to your needs
Greenhouses look great anywhere. There is a wide variety of models, so the decision to buy one will really be determined, above all, by your needs:
Growing plants throughout the year
If you love to sow and also want to do it in any season, a mini greenhouse will be very useful. Now, if you also want the seedlings to grow at ease during, at least, the first season, a tunnel greenhouse with a minimum height of about 2 meters will be better for you.
It is important that you bear in mind that the greenhouse model that you should choose for this purpose must have windows, or some opening so that the air can be renewed.
Protection of delicate plants in winter
Sometimes all you need is a place where exotic plants, or those that have recently sprouted, can overwinter without having to worry about frost. Although one idea is to have them at home, this is not very good since in homes there is usually not enough light or humidity for them to be well.
Therefore, We recommend keeping them in a PVC shelf-type garden greenhouse if the weather is mild, or in a small polycarbonate greenhouse.. In the latter case, if moderate frosts are registered in your area, it will be necessary to install a heating system, such as a temperature regulator.
According to space
You cannot install a 5 meter greenhouse in a considerably smaller space. And, even if you are a plant lover, in the end the available space will determine which model to choose, and therefore, how many plants you will be able to have in it.
Patios, terraces or balconies
On these sites the ideal is to get a small greenhouse, such as a low rectangular one, an attached one or a shelf type. The more shelves you have, the more pots you can have. They are very interesting since they do not take up much space, and you always have the option of disassembling them and putting them away when the frosts have passed.
But they are also functional in spring and summer. In fact, in those stations they will serve as a support for plants. Now, think about removing the plastic so that your crops do not have problems due to excess temperature.
Gardens and orchards
For gardens and orchards there is more to choose from, but of course it will still be important to consider the space available. Even so, here the use that is going to be given becomes more relevant. For example:
- Advance or extend the growing season: traditional greenhouses made with polycarbonate, or tunnel greenhouses with a galvanized steel frame and plastic cover that have a certain height, allow seeds to be sown and plants multiplied by cuttings even if it is not the most suitable season.
- Production and maintenance of plants all year round: for this purpose, polycarbonate greenhouses are chosen, with windows, and some doors.
- Plant protection in winter: they are placed in a low-rise tunnel greenhouse with a canvas cover.
According to the materials
Now it's time to talk about the materials with which the greenhouses are made, both the structure and the walls (if they have).
Modular
The structure can be made of wood, galvanized steel or PVC. The wood The most commonly used is red cedar or pine. Both are treated to withstand weather conditions, and are very durable. However, it is highly recommended to treat them with wood oil once a year or every two years to preserve their properties.
El Galvanised steel It is a material widely used in medium and large greenhouses. It withstands rain, sun and frost considerably well, and does not require any maintenance.
Finally, the PVC is light. Widely used to make small greenhouses and mini-greenhouses. It is resistant, but in climates where the degree of insolation is very high (as in the Mediterranean region) its useful life does not usually exceed 5 years.
Paredes
Greenhouse walls are made of polyethylene, polycarbonate or glass. All these materials are very resistant and durable, although they have important differences in terms of their useful life. In fact, while polyethylene only lasts about 3 years, the glass provided that it is cared well can remain intact forever.
As for polycarbonate, it lasts an average of 10 years. But to really work as an insulator it is recommended that it have a minimum thickness of 4 millimeters.
And nothing more. We hope that with these tips you can choose the type of greenhouse that is useful for you.