Photo: Gardman

Greenhouses are normally expected to be large and extravagant buildings housing hundreds of different plant species, but anyone with a little space can enjoy greenhouse gardening at home. It is quite easy to build your own greenhouse that suits your space, time and budget allowances. You can be creative not only in terms of layout and selection of plants but also in how you’d like to decorate your garden greenhouse. While some greenhouses can be neat and straightforward others can have sculptures, figurines, water features, benches or lanterns.

Getting started

Once you’ve decided what your space, time and budget allowances are. the first thing you’ll need to think about is basic greenhouse construction. Think of yourself as an artist and of your greenhouse as your empty canvas. It is important, though, to bear in mind that gardening is a patient art and that you will have to wait to see your greenhouse come into full bloom. So if you want to have your beautiful greenhouse all year round, think carefully about which plants you will be selecting. You will also need basic gardening tools, accessories and a watering or irrigation system.

Points to remember

Photo: Stock.Xchng

A garden requires a certain level of care so choose your plants based on how much time and energy you are willing and able to give to caring for them. If your time is limited it will be better to chose hardier plants over the more delicate and exotic options. Greenhouse Growing goes into detail about the temperature needs of exotic plants, and many exotic plants, though they might be beautiful, wither or die due to their fragile and heat sensitive nature.

Each plant is beautiful in its own way so it will be easy for you to select the plants that are right for you. It is easier to maintain your garden greenhouse if you have an automatic irrigation system as opposed to manual watering, but you will still need time to devote to the pruning and caring of the plants. The joy of gardening is not only that you have created a beautiful garden from nothing, but also lies in showing care and devotion to your plants.

Tags: garden, garden greenhouse, Greenhouse, irrigation system