Unlike our previous piece about choosing the appropriate compost bin, the decision to invest in a greenhouse is an altogether larger investment and the greenhouse you choose will be dictated largely by the parameters of space and budget. You also need to think about what you will be using the greenhouse for, as there are other factors that will also take priority in the design of your greenhouse, such as temperature control and stability.

Hot Greenhouse

Generally a hot greenhouse will maintain a minimum temperature of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while this temperature can be increased to suit your needs, this greenhouse is generally favoured by gardeners in a cold climate or with a desire to raise really tropical species. However, in moderate climes this temperature can be regulated by careful ventilation to make best use of the local sunlight.

Warm Greenhouse

A warm greenhouse, as its named would suggest, caters for a much larger variety of plants and can be used to house more tender species brought in from the garden over winter, or for raising half-hardy plants. You should be careful to plant with an eye for space though, as it can become a temptation to house many cultivars that may not require the extra attention and will thrive just as easily outdoors!

Cool Greenhouse

The cool greenhouse is the artificial answer to frost damage, ideally suited for the incubation of hardy seeds and saplings until they have a chance to germinate or form a solid root foundation. This is really a form of training wheels before its charges are ready for exterior planting.

Once you抳e decided what you抣l be growing you can look at the other deciding factors. Where size is concerned, the cost is relative so there are a variety of designs for the shape and dimensions of a greenhouse.

Types of Greenhouses

The detached 慟uonset?type is the most common design in commercial horticulture and agriculture, however their size and shape is perhaps not very suitable for the domestic garden. More commonly seen is the basic rectangular model with pitched roof although they can come in both very decorative, and very basic styles.

While the simple lean-to design isn抰 perhaps commercially viable, and therefore not a common sight at gardening warehouses, it is very practical for the hobbyist, particularly one seeking a heated space. It can be attach to the walls of any structure or even a freestanding wall on your boundary, and the replacement of glass on one side with sturdier materials will make it far more heat efficient. Similar to the lean-to, a furrow roofed greenhouse attaches to a permanent structure whilst sacrificing an interior wall. These designs are particularly suited to areas with heavy rainfall as their furrows can attach directly to the guttering of a house and with a little ingenuity can feed an irrigation system below.

Greenhouses are available as either permanent or collapsible structures that can be stored when not in use. Personally I would recommend the collapsible variety, as the materials required for detached greenhouse of any longevity make the whole project rather costly, not to mention the convenience of having a greenhouse you can erect at whatever time and location you deem fit.