Heating Options for Greenhouses

/in /by

The idea for growing food in greenhouses dates back to the Roman emperor Tiberius who loved to have his weird-looking vegetables all year round. Greenhouses made always having your favorite food on the table possible.

Living in colder climates means knowing how to heat your winter greenhouse properly. Keep plants warm and cozy during the months when fields are covered in frost by exploring the several options for heating your greenhouse given below.

Passive Solar Heating 

The sun is an endless source of heat and energy, and what’s best, it’s free! So one way to heat your greenhouse during winter is to install solar panels and use renewable energy sources to create a system that will provide heat.

Another more basic and budget-friendly option is the passive solar heating method. Use black water containers that will absorb the heat during the day. The water will naturally release heat into the greenhouse at night. Be sure to line the containers on the north wall in full sun in a way that won’t shade the light from the plants. 

Hot Water Heating

Dating back to 19th-century greenhouses, hot water heating systems are an eco-friendly way to heat water even today. One way is by heating the water with a hydronic heating system that uses solar panels.

Another way is adding a coiling pipe in a composting system where the decomposing material generates heat. The water passes through the lines inside the compost heap and keeps the temperature of the soil higher than usual. 

Boiler Heating

Boilers can provide hot water through the pipes and heat the greenhouse. Boilers can run on several sources like renewable electricity, gas, solid fuel, wood, or biomass.

The initial investment in heating a greenhouse with any boiler may be a bit pricey, but you’ll cut costs in the long run.

Air and Ground Heating

The ground-to-air heating system uses the humid air from the greenhouse and passes it below the soil. The heat energy collected there is pumped back into the greenhouse at night to keep it warm. 

Ground source heat pumps are also an option but tend to be rather expensive. Another heating option is setting up air source heat pumps, which are cheaper.

Use of Hotbeds

Hotbeds are raised beds containing decomposing manure and straw, or more precisely, they’re compost heaps built from organic materials. The heat is produced from below, where the materials break down and provide natural warmth.

It is not obligatory to use straw and horse manure. You can use many compostable materials to generate heat and create the same effect. 

Electric Fan Heating

Regardless of the size of your greenhouse, electric fans help circulate the heat throughout the space. Just plug them in and go about your chores. Almost all electric fan heaters have an installed thermostat to control the temperature, but check this before leaving it unattended. 

Conservatory Craftsmen: Passive Solar Deep Winter Greenhouse 

Heating your greenhouse lets you keep your plants alive even during the cold winter. To ensure you have the right system, ask for help from our professionals at Conservatory Craftsmen. We pride ourselves on building stunning residential and commercial spaces while bringing nature inside. 

If you have questions about your winter greenhouse or need help building one, get in touch, and we’ll be happy to assist. 

 

Things to Consider When Choosing Greenhouse Window Shades

/in /by

Your choice of greenhouse window shades can affect the health of the plants you grow. You can install a modern garden irrigation system and still have low-quality yields if you’re using roof and window shades that do a poor job of insulating your greenhouse.

Whether you’re growing a vegetable and herb garden or raising non-crop plants simply because you have a green thumb, you’ll want to create an environment in your greenhouse that’s ideal for your plants. Choosing window shades for your greenhouse is one of the most important steps.

How to Shade a Greenhouse

Many plants, especially vegetables, need six to 20 hours of sunlight each day to thrive. In summer, however, the heat can be intense and potentially harmful to seedlings, moisture-loving plants or orchids.

Greenhouse roof and window treatments are necessary for the following:

  • Providing shade and protecting seedlings from the intense heat of the sun during summer.
  • Reducing the amount of sunlight that filters into certain parts of the greenhouse whenever necessary.
  • Regulating greenhouse temperature during summer and winter.
  • Ensuring proper ventilation (using window treatments that permit airflow while shading your plants).

If you want your greenhouse plants and crops to thrive, you need roof and window treatments that will enable you to do all these.

Below are some examples that you can consider:

  1. Window and roof blinds- Greenhouse blinds come in different forms. One is the traditional style that uses a mechanical pulley system to open, close, coil, or unfurl a rolled panel of blinds. Another is the automated style that uses rollers mounted on tracks that are installed along the length of the glass panel on the greenhouse roof or walls. You’ll find the automated variant here at Conservatory Craftsmen.
  2. Solarium shades- These are similar to automated greenhouse blinds, but instead of narrow panels that can open or close, they use shade cloths. These are large panels of durable, anti-UV fabrics made of polyethylene and polypropylene. When not in use, the shade panels on the roof are either in a concealed roll or hanging in folds on the ceiling. You can’t open or close them once extended, however, not like with blinds. Shade cloths are a must for greenhouse crops because they can block 40% to 60% of sunlight.
  3. Wall screens- It can be labor- and time-intensive to install many panels of blinds and shades in big greenhouses. The alternative is to design a system wherein you can shade multiple windows and roof panels at once. This can be a problem, however, if you have plants with different sunlight requirements under one section. Wall screens can be a remedy here. You can set them up around plants that don’t need that much sunlight without blocking the ones that do.

Choose Modern, High-Quality Automatic Greenhouse Window Shades and Roof Treatments

It’s not too late to equip your greenhouse with reliable and cost-efficient shades and blinds; and if you’re still in the process of designing or building your greenhouse, you should include them in your plans.

Conservatory Craftsmen can help you with this. We build and design luxury greenhouses along with automatic features like blinds and shades. Explore our website to see some of our previous work.

Nurture your prized plants, garden crops, or herbs well in a functional greenhouse designed by Conservatory Craftsmen. Fill out our contact form to get a quote.

Plants with a Purpose: What to Grow for a Pretty and Healthy Garden Room

/in /by

The garden room has come a long way from its use as a simple shed for yard equipment. It has been transformed into a versatile structure that gives any home additional living space. Many homeowners have taken to using their garden rooms as a home office, lounging area, or hobby room. But this doesn’t mean it can no longer serve as an indoor garden.

Transform your garden room into a multi-purpose structure. Growing plants throughout this space effectively improves its aesthetic appeal and provides other benefits. Plants improve air quality, provide a calming backdrop, and can increase motivation and concentration.

Houseplants with Benefits

Several types of houseplants offer mental and physical health benefits. Discover which plants suit your lifestyle so you can make your garden room perfect for the type of room you want.

Lavender for Calm and Serenity

Lavender oil is widely marketed for its calming aroma. Many use it as a natural anxiety reliever for its ability to create feelings of calm and relaxation. By growing the plant in your garden room, you create a calming ambiance that is ideal for rest. Effectively transform this space into a quiet and serene nap room for you and your family.

Rosemary for Improved Concentration

You would typically see rosemary in kitchens; the plant is a popular herb for different dishes. But it is also widely used as an essential oil for its ability to improve concentration. Research indicates that the plant’s scent can strengthen memory and improve brain function. Consider planting rosemary in your garden room if it is also used as a home office or study room.

Boston Fern for Better Air Quality

Although plants generally improve air quality, some are better at it than others. The Boston fern tends to absorb the humidity in the air. While doing so, the plant also balances out the air moisture levels in the room. Growing Boston ferns in your garden room is a good way to improve air quality in this enclosed space.

Lemongrass for Insect Repellent

Lemongrass oil is often used as a natural insect repellent. It is especially effective against mosquitoes and house flies. By planting lemongrass in your garden room, you can keep pesky insects from biting you and your family. This is a low maintenance plant that lives throughout the year, making it especially useful during the summer. 

Grow Plants with a Purpose

A garden room has no set definition for what it should serve as. You have the freedom to transform this structure into whatever you need for your family and home. But don’t forget its original purpose in your desire to make the most out of the additional living space it provides you. Several plant species provide more than something pretty to look at.

Conservatory Craftsmen takes pride in our ability to help clients transform their dreams into reality. We design and build garden rooms to suit each client’s preferences. Tell us what you want from your garden room, and we will work to build it just how you’ve envisioned. Talk to our team for more details about our process.

Alternative Gardening Techniques for Garden Rooms

/in , , /by

Garden rooms are a versatile addition to your living space, whether it’s attached to your house or a stand-alone structure in your back yard. It can serve as a sunroom, personalized home office, studio, den, or lounging area. Not only do garden rooms create more living space and functional square footage to your residence, but it can also increase your home’s market value.

A garden room need not be a plain enclosed space with potted and hanging plants. It can be a showcase of exotic flora and an alternative gardening technique, such as hydroponics. Let’s discuss this novel method of gardening that you can apply in your garden room.

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a centuries-old technique of gardening that entails growing plants in a pH-adjusted mineral nutrient solution instead of soil. The word itself is a combination of the Greek words for water (hydro) and labor (pono). The literal meaning of hydroponics is “working water.”  This technique was used by the historic Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and other areas where there’s little or no arable land or space. For those benefits alone, hydroponics can be a worthy option for your garden room designs.

Types of Hydroponics

There are six basic types of hydroponics, and hydroponic systems are usually variations or combinations of these types. 

1. Wick System

This hydroponic method is one of the simplest. It is mainly composed of a nutrient solution drawn into the growing medium from a reservoir with a wick. Instead of soil, popular choices for the growing medium are vermiculite, perlite, pro-mix, and coconut fiber.

2. Water Culture

The water culture hydroponic system is also called the “deep water” hydroponics. This method consists of a styrofoam platform that holds the plants, which floats directly on a nutrient solution. An aquarium air pump is used to supply air to an airstone that’s submerged in the solution, which in turn gives oxygen to the plant roots.  This method is best for water-loving plants like leaf lettuce.

3. Drip Systems

In a drip system, drip emitters are used to supply the nutrient solution to plants in containers with inert media like peat, perlite, coir, or grow stones. The containers are placed on the floor with gutters to collect the solution that flows through the containers, or collected in a reservoir for reuse.

4. The Kratky Method

This type of hydroponics is similar to the water culture method but is even simpler. The Kratky method consists of growing the plants in large containers or buckets, with their supporting structure fixed to the top of the container instead of floating. As the nutrient solution is consumed, the plant roots are gradually exposed to the air, supplying them with oxygen. The nutrient solution is placed at a level where only the bottom portion of the roots are submerged.

5. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

In this technique, water is pumped from the solution reservoir and through shallow channels. Plants in pots or blocks of inert media are placed in these channels, with a drain at the end. The plant roots aren’t submerged in water but grown within a thin film of nutrient solution that flows continuously through the entire system.

6. Aeroponics

Aeroponics is the most complex and technology-dependent type of hydroponics. This method consists of freely hanging the plants in a chamber without any media. The roots are misted periodically with water and a nutrient solution by automated pressurized nozzles.

Hydroponics can be an efficient method of growing flowers, plants, herbs and vegetables in your garden room year-round. When deciding on which type of hydroponics, consider your budget and the time and effort you’re willing to put into its maintenance. Contact us to know more.

Flowering in Frost: How to Care for Orchids in Winter

/in , , , /by

People have different motivations for growing and caring for orchids. Some like to compete in prestigious contests. Others raise orchids for profit, and still others grow them in the hopes of creating a more beautiful flower via crossbreeding. Whatever the reasons, orchid enthusiasts can agree on common issues — like ensuring these blooms survive the winter.

We offer the following tips on how to help your precious orchids make it through the colder time of year.

Ration Sunlight

As available sunlight becomes scarcer during the winter months, move your orchids to a sunnier spot. A good location to make the most of sunlight when days are shortest this season is at an east-west position. Add a grow light if the orchid is a type that needs a higher light intensity, such as the cattleya, dendrobium or vanda.

You can see if the amount of light is too much for the orchid by observing the leaves; it’s too much light if they turn yellowish-green or red. If the leaves turn dark green, it’s exposed to too little. Also, feel the leaves. If they’re warmer to the touch than the ambient air, it’s overexposed to sunlight and should be moved to a darker spot.

You can also control the amount of sunlight your orchids receive without constantly moving them by using greenhouse window shades. Using shades to limit or maximize sunlight exposure for your orchids can more easily be done with the industry leading automated versions we install.

Watch the Temperature

Common types of orchids require a temperature of between 55° and 80° F to thrive. Should the temperature average 60° to 65° F, you must resort to artificial means of raising the ambient temperature. Adjust the thermostat, or you can augment it with the use of cheaper portable heaters.  Never expose the orchids to higher temperatures by placing them near fireplaces or heating vents. The heat needed by orchids must be humid, not dry.

Water them Right

Regardless of the weather or season, it’s common practice to water orchids early in the day, so they dry out by evening. To prevent your orchids suffering from cold burn, water your orchids less often in the winter. Your orchid container’s size likewise dictates how often you need to water them. A 6-inch pot requires water every seven days, while a 4-inch pot, five to six days.

The potting medium used by the orchid is also important; an orchid set on bark needs more water than an orchid set in sphagnum moss. Note that bark tends to dry out faster than sphagnum moss, but a bark-mounted orchid’s roots may be sufficiently moist.

Poke the pot with your finger about an inch into the pot; if you feel moisture, don’t add any more water. Your orchid’s potting medium should be damp, not soggy, and never bone-dry.

As a rule of thumb, it’s better for orchids to be slightly under-watered in winter as less water means less moisture in the plant cells, as excess moisture could crystallize and kill the orchid.

Worst-Case Scenario

Should something go wrong and your orchid or orchids appear to have perished, don’t assume they’re dead and send them to the compost heap– they may have life left in them and can be revived.

When this happens, let the orchid medium dry, and keep it in a humid area (you can use humidifiers), away from direct heat and sunlight.

Don’t water the orchid and wait for new sprouts to grow. Once there are new sprouts, water the orchid with plain water, then follow up with a small dose of fertilizer and elements as new roots grow. You may even notice that this winter shock your orchid experiences may trigger new buds and flowering.

Final thoughts

Ensuring your orchids survive the winter is a delicate balance. Apply the right amount of water, light, and temperature. If the worst happens and it appears that your orchid or orchids have died, don’t give up on them and treat them as if they were newly re-potted.

Reduce the light exposure, apply some fertilizer and nutrients, space watering by 10 to 12 days, and your orchid could come back from the brink and make it through the winter.

And if you’d like to tilt the odds in favor of your orchids surviving the cold, choose the more acclimated species like cymbidiums, masdevallias, miltonias, odontoglossums, oncidiums, plain-leaved paphiopedilums or sophronitis orchids.

If you found this information on orchid care during winter interesting, we have other resources you can read.

We can assist you in every aspect of building a new luxury greenhouse that suits your tastes and meets your particular needs and specifications. Our mission is to ensure homeowners like you can enjoy the splendor of greenery within or close to your home, year-round.

Should you desire a quote for building your own conservatory today, you can contact us here.

In the Mood for Gourmet, Every Day? Grow Your Own Indoor Herb Garden

/in , , , /by

Fresh foods made from locally grown ingredients are all the rage. And if you’re going to be cooking with fresh ingredients, why not grow your own herb garden to have on hand?

The rising popularity of gourmet food has increased the demand for fresh ingredients, specifically herbs. Apart from the convenience of never having to go far to find fresh ingredients for your dish, with an indoor herb garden it’s straight from ‘farm’ to table.

Raising an herb garden in the luxury of your own garden room lets you enjoy fresh scents, flavors, and taste, all year round. Below are some tips to help you start your indoor gardening project.

Invest in good lighting

Your sunroom or garden room makes the ideal environment for growing sustained and harvestable amounts of herbs. This is because intense light (or anywhere from 6-8 hours of direct light) helps herbs produce the oils that give them their distinct flavor.

East- and west-facing windows give your plants an abundant amount of bright sun for about six hours. In the winter days, south-facing windows receive most of the sun.

In the winter, when abundant sunlight isn’t always a possibility, invest in artificial lights. Pick the right, energy-efficient grow light for your type of herb, to keep your plants healthy. Be sure not to use a sunlamp – these are for people and can do more harm than good for the plant.

Choose the best herbs to grow

Note that not all herbs can grow well indoors. Some herbs (such as dill and cilantro) will require constant replanting after trimming, making them the least viable choice for an indoor garden.

Meanwhile, perennial herbs, such as chives, rosemary, thyme, mint, oregano, and bay laurel are some of the easiest to grow. You can buy these from young plants at your local garden center. There are also herbs that you can start from cuttings (such as mint) and then those that are best started from seed (like basil and chervil).

Before buying seeds or young plants, ask the seller if the herb you intend to buy can thrive in an indoor garden.

Decide between soil and hydroponics

The discussion of using soil vs. hydroponics is often a lengthy one, given the number of factors to consider and what the individual wants to achieve.

Hydroponic systems are the choice for many indoor plant growers, as they make more efficient use of space compared to soil. Hydroponics don’t depend on external factors. Instead, it allows you to create the nutrient mixture, humidity, temperature, and growing schedule that’s ideal for growing your herbs indoors.

Starting your very own garden comes with plenty of benefits, both to your health and your budget. An indoor herb garden is not just a healthy choice for you, but it also makes valuable use of your luxury garden room. Ask Conservatory Craftsmen about building a garden room that’s perfect for growing plants and herbs. Call us at 612-281-4985 or fill out our form today.

Glam Up Your Garden Rooms With These 5 Different Designs

/in , /by

Garden rooms are becoming an increasingly popular addition to homes. As more and more homeowners adopt the concept of indoor-outdoor living, many people want to experience the beauty of bringing the comforts of their home’s interiors right into their gardens.

Below are some of the most popular contemporary garden room designs today.

Garden pods for oddity

Spherical garden rooms will catch anybody’s attention because of its odd design. Garden pods are ideal for dining, studying and meeting up with friends and family members.

Reminiscent of a capsule, the waterproofwindow walls can be tinted to reflect glare. Add a stainless steel roof that repels heat to keep the interior of the room cool. You can also add a sliding door to keep the pod fully sealed.

The rugged beauty of the rustic design

Sync your garden room with the natural beauty of its surroundings by implementing a rustic style. Use natural elements for a cohesive rustic feel throughout your entire space. You can use wide wood planks as part of your flooring system and walls. You can also use wood beams for the room’s ceiling, an excellent reminder of the great outdoors. And finally, seal the deal with a fireplace to keep you warm whenever you decide to stay there for the night.

Work (comfortably) from home

Working from the confines of your home does not have to be boring. Boost your productivity by using your garden room as your home office. Use light paint colors that are relaxing to the eyes. Install sliding doors or windows that you can open whenever you get stressed from working.

If you’re not comfortable with having a home office, you can opt to have a stylish studio instead to keep your creative juices flowing. Use floor-to-ceiling glass around your room so you can still enjoy the view and possibly gain inspiration from your surroundings while you are working in your studio.

Workout with a view

What better way to sweat than to work out while enjoying a serene view straight from your garden? Turn your garden room into a mini gym and hype your everyday workout. Use a durable varnished flooring system that is ideal for a workout space. Ensure proper ventilation so you don’t feel too hot and uncomfortable during your sessions.

Open porch design for an almost countryside living

Adopt an open porch design that allows plenty of natural light and fresh air to enter and recreate countryside living. Lounge in your garden room during afternoons, unwind and enjoy a cup of tea or read a book.

The most important thing to consider when choosing what garden room design to go for is the kind of lifestyle you want. Make sure that the design you will choose perfectly matches what you aspire to. This will not only bring you happiness and satisfaction, but it will also make your investment worth it.

Make your dream a reality

Conservatory Craftsmen is dedicated to bringing you functional and comfortable garden rooms that capture your envisioned lifestyle. Our team of experts ensures that the garden rooms we design for you showcase refined architecture from high-quality materials. Entrust your vision to us. Contact us today so we can help you have the space you dream of.

Summer Greens: Edible Plants to Grow in Your Garden Room

/in , , , , /by

Summer is here, and with it comes the opportunity to surround yourself with gorgeous plants – an act that can boost your mood and reduce depression and obesity. You don’t have to be outdoors to do this, either; with garden rooms, you can bring the beauty of greenery inside your home.

Garden rooms are ideal for growing edible plants, as these rooms provide the right conditions and the right amount of light indoors. You can grow almost anything in a garden room, but for summer, it’s better to tend to plants that can sustain the heat.   

Leafy Green Vegetables

It can be difficult to make the perfect home-grown salad when you have the juiciest tomatoes but dried up lettuce and spinach. Luckily, there are other leafy greens that can withstand the summer heat. Plants such as Chinese spinach, rhubarb chard, Malabar spinach, and sweet potato greens can be great substitutes for lettuce, spinach, and other salad greens. These plants can grow much faster in a garden room, where climate conditions are controlled.  

Strawberries

Fresh summer strawberries are among the most popular, most nutritious and refreshing fruits in the world – and you can easily grow them in your garden room. This plant loves well-lit, warm places, and are happy to grow in jars and hanging baskets. No matter where you plant them, strawberry plants can flourish as long as they are taken care of properly.

Parsley

Parsley is a popular herb that’s used in salads, sauces, and soups. It also often used as a garnish. Rich in vitamins A and C, as well as iron, this herb tastes good and is good for you. Parsley grows best in a cool and sunny area, planted in loamy soil with good drainage. It does well when planted in a container.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are fruits that require proper planting so that they can provide a plentiful harvest throughout the summer. They aren’t the easiest plant to grow, but they are one of the most popular.

Tomato plants need strong, direct light, so make sure you place them in the sunniest part of your garden room. Make sure that you plant them deeply in a big pot that you’ve filled with good quality soil. In the heat of the summer, you will have to water your tomato plants twice a day – the goal, though, is to keep the soil moist and not too wet.  

Eggplants

Eggplants are delicious, versatile vegetables that grow well in large containers. In order for eggplants to thrive and grow properly, you need to place them somewhere with full sun and good air circulation. You also need to keep their soil evenly moist so make sure that you provide enough moisture.

These are just some edible plants that can thrive in your garden room. If you don’t have a garden room to house your indoor plants and are looking to build one, turn to Conservatory Craftsmen. We can both design and build the luxury garden room of your dreams. Simply get in touch with us by giving us a call at 612-281-4985 or 888-345-7915.

Beyond a Greenhouse: Creative Uses for a Garden Room

/in , /by

A garden room has become commonplace in backyards (or attached to homes). These stunning structures can double as a sunroom, greenhouse, personalized office, studio, or even just a quiet space to unwind.

Besides adding extra space to your home, garden rooms contribute to property value. A Forbes article revealed that adding square footage is one way to increase home value. Larger houses usually lead to higher values – something that homebuyers tend to notice.

Additionally, a HomeAdvisor report stated that room additions could raise property value. Homeowners, for instance, can expect to see a return of investment (ROI) of 49 percent for sunrooms.

If you’re going to have a garden room constructed on your property, you’ll have the opportunity to use the space for various purposes. Apart from growing plants, you can utilize the space in the following ways:

Guest Room/Airbnb

Having company over? You won’t need to worry about accommodating everyone in your house. Garden rooms can provide extra privacy and space for any guests you may have. When you set the room up as your Airbnb, you can gain your investment back and even make money on the side.

Home Spa

Fitting a rainfall shower or a home sauna in your garden room will help you relax and relieve stress after a long day at work. You can make the room your perfect sanctuary by personalizing the space. You could, for instance, use incense or oil burners and extend the spa experience by fitting in a hot tub.

Vintage Game Arcade

While the game arcades of the 80s and 90s are long gone, you can relive those eras and satisfy your nostalgia by transforming your garden room into a vintage arcade. If you want to experience a blast from the past, think about setting up arcade machines, music and dance games, and retro consoles.

Hobby Room

Certain hobbies, such as sewing, painting, wood carving, and reading books, need less space. If you’re passionate about a hobby that doesn’t eat up a lot of space, consider turning your garden room into a hobby room.

Workout Room

You don’t need to leave your house just to get the exercise your body needs. With your very own gym, you can work out at your own pace. When setting up an exercise room, choose a few pieces of equipment and leave space for floor work. You can also add large mirrors so you can watch your form while you work out.

You have the option of transforming a garden room into a guest room, home spa, vintage game arcade, hobby room, or workout room. When you’re looking for a contractor that can build the most amazing garden room, turn to Conservatory Craftsmen. Designing and constructing a room that makes you ecstatic is our goal. Count on our team to build a durable and elegant structure that enhances the surrounding landscape of your property.

You deserve a luxury garden room that matches your preferences and personality. Reach out to us today to discuss your project and ideas.

A Guide to Keeping Your Greenhouse Toasty During Winter

/in , , /by

The polar vortex this year left many Americans shivering in temperatures as low as minus 28 degrees. It was so cold that even the postal service in states like Minnesota suspended their services. If we humans are struggling to actively keep ourselves warm during winter, what about our crops?

Whether you’re protecting your plants with a simple greenhouse or luxury greenhouse, you have to take extra steps to keep them toasty. Even winter crops need warmth to grow. Here’s how you can keep your plants and crops comfortable.

Install a Greenhouse Heater

Greenhouse heaters are a surefire way to keep your crops warm during the winter. However, you have to consider the energy source and positioning. Heaters come in gas, oil, electric, or coal variants. Your choice depends on which resource is abundant in your area.

If you live somewhere in Wyoming or West Virginia, opt for coal. Live in Texas or California? Oil or gas is your best bet. If you’re afraid of exhaust from gas, coal, and oil heaters, get an electric one.

Position your thermostat at plant-level so it can get accurate readings. Like the one you have at home, keep your greenhouse thermostat away from direct sunlight to prevent its sensor from going haywire.

Reinforce Your Windows

Your greenhouse windows let sunlight in, while protecting your crops from the elements. But is it enough?  Check the glass for cracks and seal them with putty immediately. If you want to double down on heating, literally do so by double glazing them.

Double glazing means having two layers of glass in one window. This technique reduces heat loss in your greenhouse. If you’re on a budget, replace your panes with multi-wall polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a plastic material that comes in two, three, and five-wall variants. Apart from being affordable, they’re durable, and they diffuse sunlight evenly. No more worrying about hotspots.

Classic Composting

Composting has been practiced for over 2,000 years now. You probably now that it’s a way to introduce nutrients to your plants. But its process also creates heat that insulates your crops. You can buy compost from your local gardening store and spread it on top of your soil.

You can also create your own compost pile in your backyard. Although you can add to a compost pile in the winter – freezing temperatures prevent it from breaking down into ‘soil’, so plan way ahead. Compost can be made from a mix of dead leaves, flowers, sawdust, newspapers, banana peels, and more. Don’t add any dairy or meat because they will rot and attract pests.

You also need a bottomless bin to store them in while keeping them on the grass. Pile them in the bin and add water for moisture. It will take around four to five weeks before the compost breaks down into a soil-like consistency that you can then incorporate into your crops. Feel free to throw in more scraps into the pile so you will have a steady supply.

Keeping your greenhouse warm can be physically and financially tough. You’ll spend a fair amount of cash on acquiring new equipment like a heater and double glazing. You’ll also be in the harsh cold while maintaining your greenhouse and compost. However, all those efforts will be worth it once you get a bountiful harvest.

Get Your Dream Greenhouse

The best way to protect your garden is by keeping them in a greenhouse. Conservatory Craftsmen offers beautiful glass rooms for your plants with their luxury greenhouses. We build using the latest technology and the finest materials.

Get your dream greenhouse with us today.