Choosing the Right Size for Your Greenhouse

Choosing the right size for your greenhouse is perhaps one of the more difficult things for a beginning gardener or home improvement enthusiast. Simply write down the answers to these questions, and when you are finished you will have the perfect greenhouse for your needs.

• What is your purpose? Are you planning on using the greenhouse to get an early start on your gardening? Perhaps you will be using the facility to store and house some delicate plants that need special care? These are only two of the many purposes that you can use a greenhouse for, so make sure that you have a firm idea of what you want when you are considering your options.
• What space do you need? Figuring out how much space you will need goes hand in hand with determining the purpose of your greenhouse. While considering your options you need to think about things like the plants that you will be storing in your new greenhouse. For example, if you are going to be storing tall mature plants or even trees, then you will need a greenhouse that has enough headroom and shelf space to fit your needs.
• Where do you live? Another thing to consider when deciding on the size of your new greenhouse is where you live. There are multiple reasons for this, not the least of which is that you need to know the zoning and land improvement laws of where you live. For example, you do not want to pick a greenhouse that is so large (or small) that it looks awkward in comparison. Also, keep in mind that you will want to choose a greenhouse that will fit in properly with the land around it as well (i.e., trees, bushes, neighbors, etc.).
• What is your budget? Greenhouses, whether larger or small, tend to be somewhat expensive. The larger or more spacious that your potential greenhouse is going to be, then the more expensive it is likely to be. Before you begin building your greenhouse you will need to make sure that you have a firm budget in mind, and stick to it.

Keep in mind that while these are guidelines, they are exactly that—guidelines. Only you will be in a position to decide whether or not your greenhouse will have enough space or not. If you are still unsure as to what size you should use, go for something that is just a little larger than what you think you will need. That way you have a bit of elbow room if you need it.