Having a greenhouse will give many benefits to a gardener, whether he is a mere hobbyist or an expert plant cultivator. However, there are many things to consider in having a greenhouse, not to mention the expenses that come with building greenhouses.
A good alternative is to own a hoop house type of greenhouse. These are very simple greenhouses which can be assembled very easily. There are many advantages in having a hoop house greenhouse, here are some of them:
Availability of more growing time
A hoop house greenhouse provides a gardener more time to cultivate his favorite plants. An extra 3 to 4 months can be extracted for planting more crops in the greenhouse.
Inexpensive way to cultivate
Hoop house greenhouses provide an inexpensive way to help greenhouse enthusiasts to get started into cultivating crops.
Crop protection from predators and extreme weather conditions
Hoop house greenhouses are built to protect plants from different adverse conditions which can be brought about by weather conditions and different crop predators. They provide sturdy and efficient covering for the plants against these factors.
More varieties of plants can be grown
Because hoop houses will allow longer growing seasons, more varieties of plants can be grown in the hoop houses.
Increased income and savings
One can cultivate different crops which can be equated into additional income or savings. One can actually sell fruits and vegetables which are grown in the hoop houses or can plant crops which can be consumed by the family, therefore avoiding the need to purchase these from the supermarket.
There are many reasons why gardeners have availed hoop houses for their gardens. Here are some more pertinent facts about hoop houses that should be known by other enthusiasts:
- Most growers recover the cost of building their hoop houses in a single season of planting.
- There are no permits required in building hoop houses since they are not considered as permanent structures.
- The growing seasons can be extended by using hoop houses and several other equipments. Hoop houses usually extend growing seasons by as much as 4 months, but by adding layers of insulating film and an inflation blower, one can extend the growing season more than four months.
- Hoop houses are usually made from galvanized steel. The galvanized hoops serve as the framework for the greenhouse. The material is low maintenance, very sturdy and very economical.
- Hoop houses are characterized by natural regulation of its temperature. There is no need for extra equipments which can be sources of additional costs. The hoop houses are warmed by the natural sun and are cooled by the wind. One can roll the sides up and open the hoop house doors to be able to provide ventilation to the plants inside. This is a very cost effective way of cultivating plants in a greenhouse.
- Hoop houses can be built in places where the winds are prevalent and where snow can be a problem. Hoop houses are built from sturdy frames which are designed to handle heavy winds and can withstand the harsh effects of snowing. One can position the hoop house perpendicular to the winds to maximize the ventilation for the plants. One should also remember to do some maintaining when the snow comes. Occasional brushing of the snow will be very beneficial for the hoop house.
- Hoop houses are quite tall and gardeners can use the vertical space to be able to plant more crops. Adding purlins will allow one to hang baskets, tie up tomatoes and other plants. The baskets can then be used to plant ornamental crops or other types of plants.
- One can customize his hoop house in terms of the creation of doors or windows. The traditional hoop houses have a built-in door and a couple of windows for ventilation.
- There are other functions that hoop houses can do when the planting season is over. They can serve as a chicken coop if one installs poultry netting. They can also be used to grow orchids or other ornamental plants.
- Hoop houses can be relocated easily. Relocating hoop houses can be done without disassembling the structure.
There are many reasons why people turn to hoop houses when they want to have a greenhouse. Aside from the multiple benefits that plants can get from being sheltered by hoop houses, these greenhouses are very economical and won’t dig deep into the gardeners’ pockets.
People have different interests. Some prefer sports while others enjoy painting. Another hobby for those that love plants is gardening. Equipped with the proper tools and equipment, the person can beautify the home and enjoy the compliments of neighbors.
It takes time to plant something then watch it grow. It is for this reason that people have to concentrate on watering the plants and making sure that insects or weeds do not destroy it.
A good place to do this which will protect the person from sunburn is inside a greenhouse. This place is an enclosed home that is used to grow plants in a controlled environment. The framework is composed either of wood or metal.
The panels where sunlight enters can either be made of glass or plastic. The size of the greenhouse really depends on the purpose and the frequency of use. Those who just started this as a hobby may start with a makeshift greenhouse at home.
As the collection of flowers get bigger, then building a large one is a good idea. This saves time of going back to the same contractor to make an expansion.
The ideal greenhouse is the free standing version. If there isn’t that much space, then making an attachment to the existing house can also work which is like walking to another room.
Before starting construction on the greenhouse, it is best to check if it is in compliance with building codes in the neighborhood. If there are none, this will make it easier to put it up.
The location of the greenhouse is very important since the climate changes all year round. The summer could be hot and so it will be a good idea to build it near a tree which can give it sufficient shade. If the area is muddy and wet during the rainy months, this should be placed elsewhere since too much water can drown the plants.
People often use greenhouses to grow flowers. This is changing now and many are shifting to fruits and vegetables which can be planted and harvested at anytime of the year.
Plants inside greenhouses still need water and nutrients in order to survive. This can be done manually or with an automated timer.
Techniques used in farming have also been integrated into gardening. This makes the use of soil optional. Since plants consume nutrients in liquid form, this can already be mixed in the water supply when it is released and this is known as hydroponics.
This method eliminates the need to till the soil or check for weeds which could save the hobbyist time to do other things in the greenhouse.
The greenhouse also needs artificial sunlight. Strong lamps can be purchased from the hardware store for the plants to grow in the right temperature during the evening and when it rains.
There are many companies who produce greenhouses. Should the person not find one that is good for the home, then having a customized version can work. The owner of the house and the contractor can make the proper measurements and estimates for construction to begin.
Building a greenhouse is expensive so if it not within the budget, then probably building one from scratch without the help of anyone may also work. After putting the idea on paper and buying the necessary equipment, the person can start building it.
Gardening is a hobby that some people do when there is a lot of time to spare. Having a greenhouse is like having a small workshop. It will make the task fun in making the plants grow instead of getting rid of pests in the garden.
Choosing what to grow in the greenhouse will require some research. The person can look in the web or check the tag in the local gardening shop before buying it.
Some people can even turn this hobby into a business. Since fruits and vegetables are grown in a controlled environment making it possible to harvest all year round, the person can take advantage of this and sell the harvest to nearby groceries and supermarkets.
There are a lot of things to think about before getting a greenhouse. By looking at the budget and doing some work to avoid problems with the elements, the person will have a great time growing things for business or for pleasure.
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