An important addition to any British back garden, greenhouses are firmly established in the British way of life. It’s probably the inclement weather that drives the british gardener ‘inside’. If you are visiting this site then you are probably thinking about obtaining a new greenhouse. It is possible you don’t know the type of greenhouse you need or even how to decide on the type of greenhouse. Greenhouse design was revolutionised with the arrival of aluminium frames and the scarcity of pine. This article takes a brief look at the differences between metal and wooden greenhouses.

Wooden Greenhouses

Wooden Greenhouses are the choice for the traditionalist and the expert gardener. They are commonly made from Canadian Western Red Cedar, which is renowned for it’s exceptional long life outdoors as a result of it’s effective rot resistance. Wooden greenhouses are the traditional style of greenhouse before the aluminium greenhouses and plastic greenhouses became more popular towards the end of the last century.

A timber greenhouse will obviously blend in naturally with your garden and will become an integral feature rather than something of an eyesore which you wish to hide away. Timber is also the choice of the expert gardener and it is generally agreed that it is the best material for a greenhouse. One of the main reasons is that the red cedar greenhouses are much better at maintaining a constant temperature than aluminium ones, which obviously leads to a healthier and more natural environment. An experienced gardener will know the benefit of having things to hand and a wooden frame will allow the gardener to easily fix hooks and shelves exactly where he wants them, so those all important greenhouse accessories are to hand. The wooden frame also makes it easier to fix an extra layer of insulation of plastic bubble sheeting, such severe weather conditions prevail.

The best time to add a protective coat to a timber frame is before winter sets in. Choose a good day in the late autumn and give the frame any attention it needs. Look for any wear and tear and treat it immediately. Most good timber frames come with a ten year gaurantee, but don’t wait for 10 years before checking.

Wooden greenhouses are slightly more expensive than aluminium and plastic ones, but do offer more to the experienced gardener. Aluminium and plastic greenhouses are a better choice for the beginner before upgrading to a timber greenhouse.

Aluminium Greenhouses

A major advantage of aluminium greenhouses is that they are relatively cheap and maintenance free. They are the best choice of greenhouse if your priority is low maintenance. However, you should be aware of the advantages of other types of greenhouse. For example, with wooden greenhouses it is easy to fix extra shelves and hookes, inside and out. Aluminium is certainly easier to maintain than a wooden greenhouse, but care should be taken to keep all structural components as clean as possible to deter pests and disease.Aluminium greenhouses are certainly the most popular at the moment and part of the attractiveness is the flat pack packaging and (relatively easy) self assembly. This helps keep the cost down and aluminium is the value for money choice of greenhouse.

Before erecting an aluminium greenhouse, there are certain considerations. Firstly you should decide upon the location of the greenhouse. Somewhere easily accessible during bad weather would be good. Observe areas of your garden during sunny days to see which parts get the most sunlight. Some protection from wind would be good, but not at the expense of blocking out light. Also, be aware of any stray footballs from next door !

If you’re after a value for money and low maintenance greenhouse then aluminium is a good choice. You may lose some of the aesthetic qualities of a wooden greenhouse, but you do benefit from modern technology and design.

Aluminium and Wooden Greenhouses is a post from: Gardening Guides

Related posts:

1. Greenhouses for the Country Garden If you’ve been looking at greenhouses for your garden and...
2. Greenhouses: Ways to Use Them Have you given any thought to what benefits there are...
3. Greenhouse Gardening Greenhouse Gardening. Our only hope is to help you become...

A greenhouse has the potential to provide many benefits for the average flower-lover. However, if they are not built in the appropriate location the results can be detrimental. That said, before you build a greenhouse, it is important to consider all aspects in order to ensure you receive the best results possible.

If you are thinking of building a greenhouse, but are unsure of factors which can affect the outcome, read the information below which will inform you on everything you need to know before you start building. Consider the following factors when determining where you are going to build your greenhouse:

1. Light – Everyone knows that plants need light to grow and sunlight is even more crucial for greenhouses because there are so many different types of plants and flowers requiring light. You do not want to build your greenhouse in an area which receives no sunlight at all however you do not want to build it in an area which receives too much sun either. Not enough can be harmful to the plants and flowers, yet so can too much sun. You will want to build your greenhouse in an area which receives a minimum of 6 full hours of sunlight a day. You may also want to consider planting a tree on either side of your lighthouse which will provide some shade through the day. Overhanging trees are not a good idea and may put your greenhouse in danger due to falling branches.

2. Convenience – You will want to build your greenhouse in a convenient area which can be easily accessed, but is not in an area which may be targeted by high winds. You don’t want to have to walk a mile just to get to your greenhouse because chances are you won’t maintain it as well this way. Other things to consider when building your greenhouse are access to electricity and water. These are important in the successful functioning of your greenhouse.

3. Setting – The actual setting of your greenhouse will greatly affect its overall performance. Many areas throughout the world receive high levels of rain during certain times of the year. This can be detrimental to operation of your greenhouse since too much rain can cause flooding inside. The best way to ensure this doesn’t happen is by building your greenhouse in a high level area that is a great deal higher than most of the other property.

Choosing the location of your greenhouse is the most important factor you will need to consider. Take your time and research all your options before you start building. A greenhouse is a large investment and you want to make sure the money you spend now will be worth it in the future.

3 Things to Consider when Building a Greenhouse is a post from: Gardening Guides

Related posts:

1. Shelves And Benches Are Helpful Greenhouse Accessories There are some greenhouse accessories that you can live without....
2. How To Grow Great Greenhouse Cucumbers People use greenhouses to grow a huge variety of plants...
3. Greenhouse Gardening Greenhouse Gardening. Our only hope is to help you become...

Greenhouses provide a warm, humid atmosphere and are home to a variety of different plants and flowers which is why they are a perfect target for insects. There are numerous types of insects which will want to live in your greenhouse and feed off of the wonderful plants and flowers which you have put so much time and effort into maintaining. The information below will provide you with tips and guidelines to follow in order to ensure you are doing everything in your power to ward off any unwanted pests.

The first step in learning how to prevent and eliminate insects from entering into your greenhouse is to understand and become familiar with the types of insects which are likely to reside there. The following is a list of the most common types of insects which you will likely find in your greenhouse:

* Aphids
* Fungus Gnats
* Flies (many forms)
* Bloodworms
* Thrips
* Caterpillars
* Mites
* Slugs and Snails

Now that you are aware of the different types of bugs and insects which may have taken up residence in your greenhouse, it’s time to learn how to prevent and/or eliminate them from remaining there.

Here are a number of things to keep in mind in order to ensure there are no bugs in your greenhouse:

1. Always keep all doors, screens and windows shut when not being used for specific purposes.
2. Inspect all new plants to ensure there are no bugs on them to begin with. Bugs have the ability to multiply quickly and can potentially cause a huge infestation in your greenhouse.
3. Make sure there is no water lying around whether it is in jugs, cups or in a puddle on the floor. Insects are attracted to wet areas.
4. Keep your greenhouse in good, clean condition. Not only do insects like water but they like to disguise themselves under areas of clutter. This also means keeping the lawn around your greenhouse mowed and neat at all times. Many pests reside in weeds, if you keep your lawn cut there will be no weeds for the insects to reside in.
5. Bright colors such as yellow and red attract insects. Try not to wear or display (other than on the flowers themselves) any bright colors which may attract unwanted insects.

These guidelines will provide you with the basic knowledge you will need to ensure there are no unwanted insects in your greenhouse. Now you can relax and enjoy all the hard work which went into creating such an amazing atmosphere.

Pest Control Tips for Maintaining Your Greenhouse is a post from: Gardening Guides

Related posts:

1. 3 Things to Consider when Building a Greenhouse A greenhouse has the potential to provide many benefits for...
2. Organic Gardening Pest Control The idea of organic gardening pest control is not a...
3. Gardening Pest Control Whether in Arizona or Hawaii, when discussing gardening, pest control...

Watering is one of the most tedious tasks with greenhouse gardening, as these types of indoor gardens require much more water. Watering your greenhouse improperly could cause you to lose your crops. This article will help you to learn ways to make your daily chore much easier while fabulously reaping the benefits.

When To Water

It’s always best to water your plants in the evening, rather than during the hot daytime hours.

Plants made up of soil-less composts, need more water because they get dry more quickly.

The best way to kill your plants is to water them simply out of routine of doing it. Make sure not to over-water them, but at the same time, assure that they have the amount of moisture that they need.

Larger and more mature plants need more water than young new plants. Take care to take the proper measures to water them accordingly. When your older plants start drooping, it may be time to take out the watering can!

The plants in your greenhouse will require less water during the dormant season of the coldest weather usually in December and January.

Keeping the floor wet in your greenhouse in the very hot summer days, will help to keep moisture in the air for your crops.

Hand-Watering

At times it may be hard to predict the amount of moisture that is in a plant pot, especially if it has a lot of peat-based compost. Try pressing your fingers gently into the top of the soil mixture inside of the pot.

Another way to guess the level of moisture is to use moisture indicators in a few select pots.

Larger plants that have been established for some time will benefit most with less forceful watering. This can be accomplished by breaking the force of the water dispersing from the watering can. Sometimes a small piece of cloth will do the trick. Small seeds definitely need to be watered with a very gentle spray. This can be done by pointing the rose of the watering can in an upward motion.

Hand-watering is still the most dominant method of greenhouse garden irrigation, even in today’s competitive markets. After frequent crop losses however, many growers are realizing that it may be time to change their traditional ways.

Overhead Spraying

Many of us prefer to have a spray mechanism when watering the greenhouse garden. It is possible to purchase several different designs of tubing that can be suspended overhead from the roof of your greenhouse. Some water spraying systems will spray in two-sided directions; others will spray water to only one side. You will have to select the type of tube design that you need and prefer.

Improvising

Although it is possible to buy specially designed systems with reservoirs, you can improvise to save money. This way works wonderfully. Find a lengthy piece of plastic gutter and use it as a reservoir by inserting one end of the capillary mat. Capillary mats allow the plants to be watered from the base of the container, where the capillary action of the compost takes place. Just sit your plants on top of the mat. The gutter should be always filled with water. You can do this by hand-watering it or by creating a drip system with the simple use of water bags.

Simple drip water system kits can be purchased with minimal cost for those that would prefer this method. These kits include usually about six drip valves that can be synchronized. Some kits even have adjustable water and fertilizer flow.

You can also pick up a combination of mist-like sprayers and adjustable dripper kits.

It is often best to have automatic watering systems that can do the job when the owner or part-time hobbyist is away at work or away even for short periods of time. Timers or automatic sensors can be applied to help as well with this task.

Allow me to share this quotation:

The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing something better than they have ever done before. Vita Sackville-West

For more great gardening tips and gardening free stuff, please visit http://www.ez-gardening-tips.com

Free to Publish, but may not be edited in any way and resource link must remain.

Watering The Greenhouse is a post from: Gardening Guides

Related posts:

1. Indoor Gardening Watering Systems Indoor gardening watering systems determine how much water you give...
2. What You Need In Your Greenhouse A greenhouse may help a person to shorten the growing...
3. Greenhouse Gardening Greenhouse Gardening. Our only hope is to help you become...

Many gardeners seem to shut down operations in the winter entirely and start completely anew each season. With proper overwintering techniques, which are made much easier with the use of a greenhouse, many plants can be preserved only to be more vigorous beautiful producers the next season. In addition to perennial flowers and ornamentals most berries including Black, Blue and Raspberries can be grown for more than one season as can most herbs including Basil, Chives and Parsley. Several vegetables are also perennials including Asparagus, Garlic, Shallots, Sweet Beets, Sweet Potato and many Peppers.

There are some distinct advantages to using a greenhouse for overwintering. In many areas rodents can be a significant source of damage to plants during the winter months when other food is scarce. Another major cause of damage and loss of plants during winter is caused by freezing and fluctuations in soil temperature, and this is an even bigger problem for plants in containers. Plants out in the open also often sustain tissue burn from the moisture loss caused by cold dry air. Proper overwintering in a greenhouse makes it much easier to protect against these and other winter hazards to plants.

It is possible to keep many plants from one year to the next. They will not continue to bloom profusely and grow over winter as they did during the summer, but in many cases they will have better production than they did in year one and will give the gardener a great head start on the next season.

Depending upon the climate, late August (Hardness zones 3-6) to late September (Hardness zones 7-8) is generally the window for beginning the overwintering process. In most areas it is practically impossible to keep plants thriving and producing outside past October. The low sun and shorter days tend to induce ’semi-dormancy’, a period of reduced functioning in the plants. For this reason the beginning of the overwintering program will start by gradually tapering off watering and fertilization in October. In the winter the soil should not become bone dry or dusty, but should be watered only occasionally during the plant’s dormancy.

It is best to hold off on moving plants into the greenhouse until just before the first freeze of winter sets in. Moving the plants inside too early will slow down the hardening off process and may result in undesirable out of season growth.

Once plants are in the greenhouse temperature control is very important to overwintering success. Temperatures of 45°-55°F are ideal. The higher the temperatures above this range, the more likely the plants will produce weak growth out of season which can make them susceptible to various infestations. Greenhouse temperatures can generally be controlled using ventilation during the day to keep the greenhouse from overheating. In very cold climates a heat source may be necessary to keep the temperature close to the ideal range, particularly at night.

Most plants will benefit from some pruning back in mid-March in preparation for the vigorous growth during the new season. This is also a good time to consider transplanting plants that grew a lot during the past summer into the garden or larger containers. Plants adjust best to gradual change. At this time, the greenhouse can be allowed to reach slightly warmer temperatures (65°F days, 55°F nights). Resume fertilizing with balanced blend mixed ½-strength. When all danger of frost is past, the plants can be moved outside again for the summer, and the greenhouse temperatures can be raised for plants that will remain in the greenhouse or for germination of new plants for the growing season.

For successful overwintering in the greenhouse keep these tips in mind:

Begin overwintering by reducing water and fertilizer in late August to late October, depending on Hardness Zone. Take care not to allow soil or air to become overly dry. Wait until just before the first freezing weather of the season to move plants into the greenhouse.

During the winter dormant period maintain greenhouse temperatures as close to 45°-55°F as possible.

Prune plants back in mid-March in preparation for the new growing season.

After pruning, increase greenhouse temperature to 65°F days, 55°F nights and resume fertilizing with balanced blend mixed ½-strength.