The delicious smell of tomatoes, warm temperatures early in the year, and a special place to care for small seedlings: many gardeners say that this is only possible in a greenhouse or conservatory. But is that true? Is a greenhouse always necessary and what should you consider when purchasing one? Are there alternatives for a small garden or small budget? We are happy to take you into the wonderful world of the greenhouse.
Why a greenhouse in the garden?
We already mentioned it: there are incredibly many advantages to having a greenhouse in the garden. For many gardeners, it is therefore an indispensable addition to the garden or allotment.
You can extend the seasons. You can start earlier in the spring and also in the fall, the season can continue a bit longer due to the protected environment. So, tomatoes can ripen longer in the greenhouse, but in the spring you can also start sowing a bit earlier.
Certain types can be better grown in a greenhouse: think for example of eggplants, bell peppers, melons and tomatoes. These Mediterranean vegetables need a warm and dry climate to grow beautiful and sturdy fruits. During a beautiful summer, it is certainly possible in our areas to grow these fruits in the open air. However, if it is a sad and rainy summer, a greenhouse is not a luxury.
The plants are protected against more extreme weather conditions: a hailstorm therefore no longer poses a risk to the juicy tomatoes. You can also keep birds and cats at a distance by installing a screen door, for example.
It is the perfect storage place for non-hardy plants. Do you have some exotic plants that cannot withstand our winter temperatures? Then you can let them overwinter perfectly in the greenhouse. In case of very severe frost, a fleece cloth can also be an extra aid.
A greenhouse is the perfect place to start plants, think of dahlias for example.
Purchasing the greenhouse
The decision has been made, a greenhouse is coming to the garden. But how do you decide which greenhouse to get? After all, there are incredibly many possibilities and aspects to consider. First and foremost, the size of the garden determines the size of the greenhouse. A greenhouse is very nice, but not if it takes up most of the garden, leaving you unable to plant anything else or having difficulty walking around to, for example, wash the windows.Also, consider the purpose of the greenhouse: do you want to create a peaceful sitting area or really one to grow tomatoes in the open ground? Be sure to check out the second-hand market. Often, you can pick up an older greenhouse, which still serves perfectly, for a bargain.
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