Using a greenhouse for growing plants has loads of benefits and opportunities to offer that aren’t available with regular outdoor gardening. They not only serve to protect against insects, pests, and inclement weather, but provide an optimal environment (humidity and moisture) for growing fruits, vegetables, and other plants in abundance.

Plants can be grown year-round in a greenhouse, whether out of season or in and are packed with the vitamins and minerals your family needs for good health. When planning an outdoor garden, it’s beneficial to also consider using a greenhouse either alongside the garden or in place of the actual garden itself!

Below you’ll find 4 types of greenhouses to consider for growing quality plants…

1. Attached (Lean-To) Greenhouse:

These greenhouses make a great option when yard space is limited or your budget for building a greenhouse is minimal. If there is a free outdoor wall on your home, garage, or other building – consider using it to construct a lean-to greenhouse. These provide decent space for growing a variety of plants, especially when including the wall to train fruit or for ornamental climbers. Also, if the wall is made of brick, it adds for extra heat retention.

2. Window-Mounted Greenhouse:

These specialty greenhouses are mini and entirely economical. They are compact, small, and can fit outside the window of a house. They can either be attached to the window in such a way that access is possible from either side, inside or out. Whether used in place of the window itself or simply attached to the outside of the wall. Typically they contain about three or four shelves and extend only about a foot or more away from the wall. These types of greenhouses are most effective on a south or east facing wall and its temperature depends a lot on the interior temperature of the home or building it’s attached too.

3. Freestanding Greenhouse:

These greenhouses tend to be the largest and most common. They are an entirely separate structure from any other building on the property and can house a large number of plants and gardening tools. These greenhouses are more easily managed despite their size beings as smaller ones tend to fluctuate temperature more often. Many sizes can be used for these greenhouses depending on the number of plants being grown and the number of gardening tools being stored.

4. Glazed Freestanding Greenhouse:

These greenhouses are essentially the same as a freestanding greenhouse, except they’re usually made strictly of plastic sheeting. These are the least expensive of all the options, yet still, provide a large growing space for plants. The only downside of these is they tend to deteriorate more quickly and require regular upkeep throughout seasonal changes and inclement weather. However, they’re considerably lightweight and retain the necessary heat for plant growth.

Any of these options make for excellent greenhouse gardening and can provide a wealth of strong, healthy plants all year round. Build your structure using strong, dependable materials such as untreated wood or aluminum. Covering options for your greenhouse frame could be made using glass, fiberglass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or even plastic (though this may need to be replaced within three years or less).

As for where to build your greenhouse, try to find a level area with adequate drainage and maximum exposure to the sun. If possible somewhere with about 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, especially during winter. If you’re in an area without enough sun, special grow lights can be used to compensate, or orient the building east to west so the largest side gets full southern sun exposure.

Before embarking on any greenhouse journey, consider the space available, utility hookups, light exposure, and overall cost. Yet most of all, have fun! =)

Sources:

(1) http://www.diygreenhouseplans.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/lean-to-greenhouse-kits.jpg

(2) https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8f/2c/d1/8f2cd116f1f4cda0c8b03e59d379e9bc.jpg

(3) http://cdn1-www.webecoist.momtastic.com/assets/uploads/2012/03/DIY-greenhouses-hoop-house.jpg

Image: http://northernhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/Geo-Dome.jpg