Pros And Cons Of Owning A Greenhouse
February 19, 2021
There are countless reasons owning a greenhouse is a great idea. If you own one, you may turn your gardening hobby into a passion. Whether you have countless hours to spend or just several minutes a day, a greenhouse is perfect for anybody who loves plants and gardening.
Unfortunately, owning a greenhouse has pros and cons. Although it enables you to enjoy gardening throughout the year, the costs associated with pest management and maintenance can be expensive. If you want to know whether or not having a greenhouse is worth it, below are some of the good and bad of owning one:
Pros Of Owning A Greenhouse
- Optimum Environment
No matter what type of plants you want to grow, if you’re a long-time gardener, you’ll know that plants love environments that are humid and warm. With this in mind, owning a greenhouse from companies like South West Greenhouses can help you achieve an optimum environment that improves the growth of your plants. The primary purpose of greenhouses is to secure a reasonable amount of water and heat vapor so that humidity and warmth are maintained in the greenhouse.
- Weather Protection
When you’re using a greenhouse, you’ll get protection from harsh weather conditions. Such a structure shields the plants from the effects of high-temperature swings. In fact, strong winds or extreme sun rays can cause harm to your delicate plants once left unprotected. Under the greenhouse’s translucent cover, sunlight is diffused, while ventilation flows throughout.
- All-In-One Gardening Sanctuary
If you own a greenhouse, you can always have a spot for everything that involves gardening. You don’t have to create a garden shed. In addition to that, you can’t only plant flowers alongside vegetables, but you’ll also have a place to store all your gardening supplies, tools, accessories, and equipment. This can save more space on your property and keep your gardening tools organised at the same time.
- Prevent Pests
A greenhouse is advantageous in terms of protecting your plants from insects and animals. Because a greenhouse is an enclosed structure, predators and pests, such as birds, deer, and moles won’t cause damage to your plants. It also lessens the need for chemicals or toxic pesticides that ward off any unwanted critters.
- Can Be Used For A Variety Of Plants
One of the pros of owning a greenhouse is that it can be used for various things. Depending on your gardening preferences or practices, you can grow organic vegetables, bulb plants, flowers, exotic plants, house plants, and all kinds of seedlings. You may also change what you grow in your greenhouse every year or consider growing a combination of plants. With a greenhouse, you have the freedom to pick what you want to use it for.
- Aesthetic Appeal
Greenhouses often have positive aesthetic elements attached to them. They can elevate your property’s overall look. A greenhouse may even be a quiet and safe haven for you to sit and relax in. Whether you want to boost your mood or spend your free time in a quiet place, a greenhouse can have a positive effect on you. This is especially true if you’re searching for a relaxing spot on a winter day.
- All-Season Garden
Most gardeners often face a common problem which is not being able to plant particular seeds because they’re not suitable for the current season.
One of the best things about having a greenhouse on your property is that you don’t have to worry about that kind of problem. Because you can control the temperature inside a greenhouse, you can easily grow any type of seasonal plant you want. The only thing that you should do is to prepare enough space for them so that you can grow your plants beautifully.
- Reduced Production Risks
Because you don’t need to worry about pests with greenhouses, you can be assured that there are only a few to no production risks. It means that you can grow your crops or plants properly without worrying about anything that could affect the production. So, if you have a target amount for plant production or you want to maximise your gardens, you can easily meet your requirements with greenhouses. Just make sure that your greenhouse is big enough to accommodate all the kinds of plants you want to grow.
Cons Of Owning A Greenhouse
You need to consider a proper site for your greenhouse as it must be placed where it gets full sun, especially during winter. The east side of your property should get maximum sunlight.
- Deciduous trees can shade your greenhouse plants from extreme sunlight during the warm season, and they also enable more sun to reach plants in winter once they shed their leaves. You’ll also require sources for water and electricity, which can increase your maintenance costs.
- Water Requirement
A greenhouse is also known to be the net water users as closed systems don’t get any rain. Hence, a water supply is necessary to meet the plants’ needs. Depending on your budget, the prices of water systems may range from cheap to expensive.
- Pollination Problems
Several greenhouse plants like tomatoes have to be pollinated before they could bear fruit. Generally, greenhouse fans circulate air and keep the foliage dry, but they don’t produce enough wind for pollination. If you don’t have much free time, manually tapping your plants to release the pollen grains can be a problem. Luckily, you may use pollinating tools to speed up the tasks.
- Ventilation And Temperature Management
Made to hold in warmth during winter, a greenhouse can be a heat trap during hot days. If the temperature exceeds healthy levels, plants might get cooked to death. In a cold season, plants may freeze to death if the temperatures drop very low. This balance of temperature requires ventilating and heating systems, which are the costliest operating costs for greenhouses.
Bottom Line
Whether planting is your profession or pastime, a greenhouse is a highly beneficial gardening solution. It offers an ideal environment for longer growing seasons, efficient growth, and more. If you’re not sure whether you want to own one, make sure to weigh the above pros and cons for you to make a wise decision.