A greenhouse can be a wonderful addition for any gardener, regardless of whether they are hobbyists or commercial growers. Of the many things to consider in choosing a greenhouse, the cost is always one of the most important. For the hobby gardener or home gardener, a good alternative is to invest in a hoop style greenhouse. These simple greenhouses can be assembled very easily, and have many advantages over the more expensive glass ones.
There are commercial hoop style greenhouses on the market, with the curved ribs made of galvanized steel and with prefab ends that have doors and sometimes a ventilating window already in place. However, it is easy for anyone who is at all handy to make their own. The hoops can be made of strong black pvc piping set over supports of rebar driven into the ground, and the covering simply 6 mil poly stretched in place and attached with clips. Plans can easily be found on the internet.
Whatever the choice you make, these inexpensive hoop greenhouses can give a grower an extra 3 to 4 months of growing time. Vegetables and flowers can be started from seed and the young seedlings kept in this protected environment until the weather allows transplanting outside.
Like any greenhouse, hoop greenhouses will protect plants from adverse weather conditions and different crop predators. Smaller simple ones can also be placed over a single raised bed. No more worrying about hard spring rains washing away seeds and flattening young crops or early frosts destroying your seedling plants.
As a home gardener you will be saving money, since you will have your own home grown vegetables to enjoy well into fall. Also, by specializing in certain crops like vegetables or herbs, you can actually sell them at a local farmers market long before others have them matured in their gardens.
There are many reasons why gardeners choose a hoop-style greenhouse. Most growers will recover the cost of building in a single season of planting, especially if they build their own. The framework of galvanized steel hoops or pvc piping is low maintenance, very sturdy and economical. A covering of 6 mil plastic can last for several years, and is quite easy to replace when it is necessary. The shape of the building can handle heavy winds and snow will slide off the curved sides.
Most hoop greenhouses use natural temperature regulation. The sun is the source of warmth. The sides of plastic film sides can be rolled up in summer, and the doors opened to provide cooling and ventilation. The growing season can extended further by adding layers of insulating film or even by stacking straw bales around the perimeter.
Larger hoop greenhouses have enough vertical space for taller plants to grow. By adding purlins or crossbars, it is easy to hang baskets, grow tall beans or tie up tomatoes, cucumbers and other vining plants. There are many reasons why people choose this type of greenhouse. Aside from the multiple benefits that they offer for growing, they are economical, simple to set up, and easy to maintain.
Tags: adverse weather conditions, extra 3, farmers market, frosts, hard spring, hobby gardener, home gardener, pvc piping, seedling plants, time vegetables