As a hobby greenhouse owner, most people tell me how they’d like a hobby greenhouse to start seeds for flowers and vegetables.
That always leads to a conversation about what it takes to germinate seeds – lots of light, a constant bottom heat of about 70 degrees and misting to keep new plants moist. I advise new gardeners to be careful about starting plants too early. The reward of being careful is a whole bunch of plants ready to be transplanted into the garden in the spring. It’s a challenge, but many folks really enjoy the process and have wonderful success.
Other people tell me they want to build a greenhouse to grow orchids and houseplants year-round, or use the greenhouse’s protection to extend the growing season of vegetables. Some people grow veggies during the winter months.
I have another reason for our little greenhouse: We over-winter tropical plants rather than buy new hibiscus, angel trumpets and the like every spring. All of our tropical plants are maintained in large containers that we arrange around the garden, deck and patio for our outside seasons. Rather than planting, potting and replanting, we keep these tropical plants in their containers, where we can move them in and out easily. With containers, however, more maintenance is required – watering and fertilizing.
Back to greenhouses: There are two types – free-standing and attached to your house or garage. You need transparent glazing to let in the sun. There are three types – thin plastic that comes on a roll and only lasts a few years, but is inexpensive; glass, which is expensive and difficult to install, but lasts forever with care; and the new polycarbonate glazing that is found in newer lightweight eyeglasses.
Most new hobby greenhouses are glazed with a double-walled polycarbonate, with air spaces between for better heat insulation. There’s also the old standby known as the cold frame, a window frame covering some plants in a hole, but let’s not get too technical.
Greenhouses are fun. I really enjoy just stepping into ours. As a gardener, I enjoy stepping into anybody’s greenhouse. The warmth and smell of living plants just lifts my spirit. Maybe you feel the same way.
My parents were in the commercial greenhouse business and I grew up learning the business venture. I could have moved home and taken over the business with my brother, but by that time I had my own hobby greenhouse and that scratched my itch.
If you’re thinking about building your own hobby greenhouse, there are a few basic requirements. First, is a town code permit needed? Do you have water and electricity? What type of heat and ventilation will you use? Is there ample light in the winter months? If it’s an extension of your home to share with plants, you may need to consult an architect or a company that specializes in constructing sun rooms.
If you plan on a standalone structure, there are several options. Buy a kit, from a catalogue or online that is delivered to you or have a greenhouse company build it for you. I designed and built my own. Not having a computer at the time, I used the public library and read as much as I could about the subject. I contacted the Penn State Extension educator who had knowledge of greenhouses and visited Delaware Valley College, where I spoke to the horticulture professor about new materials and current trends.
As I began construction, I entered the Dauphin County Master Gardener program, where I was required to give a presentation. With photos, I showed the concrete block foundation, 2 x 6 construction with full insulation of the north half, and a fully glazed southern exposure. I built in thermal efficiency such as a stone pit as a heat sink/source, a brick floor, green-painted back block wall and an unvented propane gas heater.
If you’re thinking about pursuing this adventure – and make no mistake, it’s an adventure – a good place to start would be to attend a meeting of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Hobby Greenhouse Association, www.hobbygreenhouse.org. You will meet people like me who will be happy to share their success stories, and their biggest mistakes, to keep you from making the same ones.
If you’re interested, contact me at thermalhouse@comcast.net or 717-566-3415. I’ll be happy to get your feet planted on the right path.
Jay Stanton, a Hummelstown gardener, is founder of the Susquehanna Hosta Society, and a member of the Hobby Greenhouse Association.
