Home gardening is not just reserved for people who are passionate about growing flowers, but for everyone who considers home grown plants to be the safest healthiest option.
The benefits of greenhouses far outweigh the benefits of open farming. Plants can be grown all year-round, the plants are protected from harsh weather elements and other plant-threats. This is evident in the yields that one gets from greenhouses.
Here are four types of simple greenhouse conservatory designs that you can consider for your garden.
1. Window-Mounted Greenhouse
They are also called garden windows or greenhouse windows. They are attached on either the south or east side of a house and are enclosed in glass to allow maximum penetration of sunlight. They are often a single glass panel with 2–3 shelves.
Window-mounted greenhouses are a perfect option for growing small plants and herbs for home use. With regard to the preferred material option, glass is mostly used since it is attached to the house.
Pros: They are cheap to install and are a cheap way to get fresh herbs all year round.
Cons: They are limited to only smaller plants and herbs.
2. Lean to Greenhouse
They are constructed in a way that they lean to an existing building. The ridge of the greenhouse is attached to a building on one side, preferably an existing doorway. It is basically a half greenhouse that is limited to a space of about 7–12ft. The preferred material option is glass as it is attached to the house.
Pros: They are cheap to construct and maintain.
Cons: Their sizes are limited to the size of the wall. There is also the limitation of ventilation, temperature control, and sunlight penetration. During the winter season, snow may slide into the greenhouse through the roof. Same as during rain during the rainy season.
3. Freestanding (Stand-alone) Greenhouse
These are the most common and come in different shapes and sizes. They are not attached to any building and as the name suggests they stand on their own.
With regard to the preferred material option, any material goes for freestanding greenhouses: glass, wooden, aluminum or plastic. It will all depend on your preference.
Pros: They can accommodate a large number of plants of different sizes. They are also cheap to construct and maintain.
Cons: When they are made too small it is hard to regulate the temperature as it fluctuates very easily.
4. Hoop Greenhouse
These are the cheapest and easiest to construct. They are made of PVC pipes or aluminum pipes and a plastic sheet for glazing. As the name suggests, their shape is hoop-like. Regarding the preferred material option, Polythene sheets are used.
Pros: Can accommodate many plants of different sizes. They are the easiest to construct.
Cons: They are not weather resistant neither durable.
You can take the DIY route with all these greenhouses. They still give the same output as any other commercial greenhouses. They guarantee you year-round fresh crops. However, you may also wish to get the service of an expert in building greenhouses for you.
