May 23

Tips On Decorating Your Garden With Accessories

Although you probably let the flowers and other plants in your garden take the main spotlight in your garden, you might be looking for ways to dress it up a little bit. There are lots of great accessories out there that are perfect for gardens, and using them correctly can make it easy to give your garden a whole new look.

For instance, you can use short, decorative fences around your garden in order to give Continue Reading »

Apr 05

Four Secret Tips For Gardening Beginners

The secret to growing plants and vegetables is plenty of sunshine. If there is not enough sunshine, your plants and vegetables simply will not grow. They also need enriched soil that drains well. Soil that holds water and doesn’t drain will eventually drown your plants. If you are not sure what kind of soil is in your area, you can send a sample off to have it tested.

You can also build raised beds for your tender plants and vegetables. Raised beds offer an ideal environment because the soil will drain well. You must make sure your raised beds Continue Reading »

Feb 15

Fun, Energy-Efficient Greenhouses for Your Climate

Greenhouses are a huge boon to the serious gardener. They can extend the growing season of your favorite vegetables and flowers while giving you a jump on next season’s starts.

What are the benefits of owning a greenhouse?

A greenhouse attached to your home can help warm it in the cooler months by providing a buffer from the elements. And if you need to fight the wintertime blues, greenhouses offer a place to enjoy the sight and smell of lush green plants.

Some greenhouse owners use it as a fun teaching tool for kids and grandkids. Kids can learn about different types of plants and how they are propagated and pollinated. They can even grow plants of their own, learning how to tend them and harvest edibles.

Greenhouses are a favorite of rare plant hobbyists too. They can be adapted to meet the environmental needs of the type of plant you specialize in, from cacti to orchids.

What type of greenhouse should I choose?

The type of greenhouse you choose depends on the climate you live in.
In cold winter climates, look for double or triple polycarbonate glazing which will increase the energy efficiency of your greenhouse by 50 to 240 over single sheet glazing. Save even more money on energy when you shop for the best rates at http://www.compareelectricityratesinhouston.com. Steer clear of metal frames. Metal is a good conductor of cold and can actually cause icicles to form inside the greenhouse. Look for wood frames instead as wood is 1400 times more efficient than aluminum and won’t shed energy through heat transfer. You can also harness the effect of thermal mass by building a base wall for your greenhouse from brick or concrete. These materials will retain heat longer, saving you money on heating.

In hot climates, preventing overheating, especially in summer, is your main concern. Look for greenhouses that provide multiple options for fans and venting panels. Painting your glazing material white during the summer helps reflect heat. There are also greenhouses made from white corrugated polycarbonate material that are designed to stay cooler in hot climates.

What else should I know?

Be sure to confirm which accessories come with your greenhouse if you’re buying a kit. Often watering systems, shelving, heaters and fans are sold separately. If you are having a greenhouse built, you may need to get a building permit.

Oct 07

Ten Tips To Keep Your Greenhouse Safe

The main reason you have a greenhouse is to keep your plants protected from any outside environmental factors that would prevent the plants from growing at their finest. Naturally, you would probably want to keep your greenhouse as safe as possible. Here are some tips on how to go about doing so:

Using a Plastic Greenhouse:
Instead of using glass, use plastic. Glass can easily shatter unless you want to pay a fortune for a really tough, strong lasting glass greenhouse.

Low Levels:
Keeping your items on low shelves will prevent injuries from falling off ladders.

Heating:
Keeping a greenhouse Continue Reading »

Oct 03

Five Advantages Of Owning A Greenhouse

Probably the most resounding advantage to owning your own greenhouse is that your capability to garden and grow will no longer be dictated by weather. You will be able to enjoy gardening year round!
From a financial standpoint, you will also increase the property value of your home. If you ever decide to sell your home, your greenhouse is a value-added fixed structure that can be conveyed. Additionally, all of the plants and blossoms that you cultivate in your greenhouse will help beautify your property and help with that Continue Reading »

Oct 02

The Main Benefits Of A Greenhouse

There are several benefits to using a greenhouse to grow plants. One of the main benefits is the ability to grow plants year round. A green house is a structure designed with some type of window area which can be made of either plastic or glass. This area is placed so sunlight can reach the plants inside. During cold weather months, the sunlight also works to help keep the inside temperature of the greenhouse warm. The more transparent panels Continue Reading »

Sep 29

Ways To Keep Your Garden Growing In The Winter

Keeping your garden growing through the winter may seem like a impossible task. However, more and more homeowners are installing personalized greenhouses and taking full advantage of modern greenhouse technologies. There are plenty of benefits to owning a greenhouse. Many of these benefits go beyond weather protection. Some benefits include the ability to specialize the types of plants you grow. It is now possible to grow tropical plants in a cold northern environment. Don’t let the winter season hinder your growing desires. Greenhouses offer total control over the growing process. There is nothing like Continue Reading »

Sep 28

Five Basic Gardening Tips To Keep Plants Healthy

Whether it’s an outside flower garden, vegetable garden or greenhouse, the key to growing healthy plants consists of five basic steps. Some believe a green thumb is needed, but realistically gardening is mostly common sense.

As any living thing, plants need water, food, shelter, sunlight and care. Obviously, plants will not survive without enough water, but too much water can be damaging. Also, plants need food to grow and bloom. Therefore, proper fertilization is necessary to promote and sustain healthy growth.Is this new to you? Catch up May 2013

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