Setting up a greenhouse

Sooner or later, almost every ambitious hobby gardener faces the decision to set up a greenhouse. Not only frost-sensitive plants benefit from a plastic or glass cover, but starting new plants in a greenhouse also works better and earlier.

This raises the question for many whether a heating system is absolutely necessary, or if a protected location will suffice. But one thing is certain: a greenhouse is essential.

Whether you choose a kit or decide to build your greenhouse completely yourself, good planning will help you avoid unnecessary trouble. Your greenhouse should be well protected and able to capture many hours of sunlight early in the year. If possible, it should also be easy to provide it with water and electricity.

If you don't want to plant your plants directly into the soil, you might want to consider laying a foundation for your greenhouse. This will help keep voles, snails, and other pests away. However, you should be aware that once you install a foundation, your greenhouse will be permanent in that location, and you won't be able to move it.

Most garden owners primarily want to use their greenhouse to start seedlings early in the year and to overwinter exotic plants. For this reason, it's not essential for them to plant directly into the soil. Instead, they furnish their greenhouse with tables on which pots and plant containers are placed.

However, a good alternative can also be setting up a raised bed. This way, you can harvest hearty lettuce and other vegetables even in winter, largely independent of the weather.

If you want to operate a greenhouse year-round, you should consider installing a heating system. However, it is equally important to protect your plants from wind and cold, regardless of whether you plan to heat the greenhouse. For this, well-insulating windows are essential. Double or triple-wall polycarbonate panels are particularly lightweight, but they age faster than glass.

Especially in summer, the greenhouse should be well-ventilated and, if necessary, equipped with shading to prevent overheating.