HOME GREENHOUSES

Gardening is one of the fastest growing pastimes in North America, and home greenhouses allow anybody to participate, whether they have a garden or not. If you have an apartment, and want somewhere to grow kitchen herbs, a portable greenhouse is an excellent option. For dedicated gardeners, wanting to extend the growing season, backyard versions are available in a range of sizes.

PORTABLE HOME GREENHOUSES
The smallest type of greenhouse is portable, cheap, and fits on a tabletop or windowsill, allowing you to give seedlings a great early start before planting outside. They are also an excellent choice where space is a consideration, in apartments, for example, allowing the gardener to grow herbs and decorative plants. They are generally made of a clear Perspex type material, which is cheap and provides excellent insulation. The major disadvantage, apart from the limited space, is that the plastic is brittle and may discolor, over time. Despite this, they are an indispensable boon for those without a garden.

BACKYARD HOME GREENHOUSES
This greenhouse is a small freestanding type, specially designed for small backyards and gardens. The simplest type consists of a tubular set of shelves, covered with a flexible transparent plastic sheet. They have space for growing seedlings and herbs, untouched by adverse cold and weather. They are cheap, but may be unstable, especially in windy conditions. They should be securely attached to a wall, and it is safer to place heavier items on the bottom shelves.

The larger type has 3 interconnected shelving units, in a U-shape, and usually has enough room for the gardener to work inside. They are reasonably roomy and are a lot more stable than the basic type. These greenhouses are still cheap and are a good middle option, for those who need greenhouse space but do not want a fixed type. The main downside is that the material can rip and tear, and will degrade over time, needing regular replacement.

FIXED GREENHOUSES
These home greenhouses are the familiar big brother of the other type and are fixed in place, usually into a concrete base. The range of sizes, shapes and complexity of these greenhouses is limited only by space and budget. The traditional style consists of a metal frame fitted with glass panels, combining structural strength and excellent insulation.

Glass does not degrade as quickly as plastic, and these greenhouses provide a lot of space for gardeners, allowing trays of seedlings and large plants to be grown. Ventilation is via windows and heating can be installed for the winter months, with shutters and screens protecting plants from intense summer sunlight. Installing advanced drainage and irrigation systems is possible, cutting down the daily workload.

The main disadvantage is the price to buy and the construction, requiring a concrete base. Glass can be a problem, especially where small children and pets are present. To address these issues, large home greenhouses constructed with PVC frames and polycarbonate panel windows are now available. These are cheaper and easier to install than the traditional style, but are prone to damage from strong winds, and they tend to have a shorter lifespan.

CONCLUSION
Whatever your particular circumstances, there is a greenhouse available to meet your needs. Whether you are nurturing small indoor plants or developing outdoor nurseries, space and budget are the only factors limiting your choice. Careful research of online retailers, and seeking advice from local stores should help you to pursue the gardening habit without spending a fortune.

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