Greenhouse kits offer a convenient and efficient way for individuals to cultivate plants, flowers, and vegetables in controlled environments.
These kits come in various sizes, designs, and materials, catering to the diverse needs of gardeners and horticulturists.
However, like any product, greenhouse kits have their own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Understanding these pros and cons can help potential buyers make informed decisions before investing in a greenhouse kit.
Pros
Easy Assembly: One of the primary advantages of greenhouse kits is their ease of assembly. Most kits come with pre-cut materials and detailed instructions, simplifying construction. This feature mainly benefits individuals with limited DIY skills or who prefer hassle-free setups. Maze greenhouse kits, for instance, are designed to be user-friendly, allowing even novices to build their greenhouse quickly. Watch this video about assembling this kit:
Affordability: Compared to building a traditional greenhouse from scratch, greenhouse kits are often more cost-effective. These kits eliminate the need to purchase individual materials in bulk, saving time and money. Additionally, greenhouse kits typically include frames, panels, and hardware, reducing the overall cost of constructing a greenhouse.
Portability: Many greenhouse kits are designed to be portable, allowing users to relocate them as needed. This flexibility is especially beneficial for renters or individuals with limited outdoor space. Portable greenhouse kits are lightweight and can be easily disassembled and moved, making them ideal for temporary or seasonal use.
Climate Control: Greenhouse kits provide a controlled environment for plants, offering protection from harsh weather elements, such as frost, wind, and excessive sunlight. Users can regulate temperature, humidity, and ventilation with adjustable vents, windows, and shading systems to create optimal growing conditions for different plant species.
Space Optimization: Greenhouse kits maximize space utilization, allowing individuals to grow various plants in a compact area. Whether placed in a backyard, balcony, or rooftop, these kits enable gardeners to cultivate crops year-round without requiring expansive outdoor land. Vertical greenhouse kits are also available for those with limited horizontal space, further optimizing growing capacity.
Cons
Limited Size Options: While greenhouse kits offer convenience and affordability, they often come in standard sizes, limiting customization options for users with specific spatial requirements. This makes them not ideal for individuals seeking larger or custom-designed greenhouse structures.
Durability Concerns: Some greenhouse kits may lack the durability and structural integrity of traditional greenhouse constructions. Kits made from lightweight materials, such as PVC or thin aluminum frames, may be prone to damage from strong winds, heavy snow loads, or prolonged exposure to sunlight. Additionally, cheaper greenhouse kits may deteriorate quickly, requiring frequent repairs or replacements.
Temperature Control Challenges: Despite climate-controlled features, greenhouse kits may find it challenging to maintain consistent temperatures throughout the year because of their limited insulation. In extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves or cold snaps, greenhouse kits may struggle to adequately regulate internal temperatures, leading to stress or damage to plants. Supplemental heating or automatic vents may be necessary to address temperature fluctuations effectively.
Limited Structural Integrity: Greenhouse kits are often made of lighter materials, so they may need more structural integrity than professionally constructed greenhouses. DIY kits assembled by inexperienced individuals may be more susceptible to leaks, gaps, or uneven foundations, compromising the overall stability and functionality of the greenhouse.
Maintenance Requirements: Like any outdoor structure, greenhouse kits require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. This includes cleaning panels, lubricating hinges, inspecting frames for rust or corrosion, and replacing worn-out components. Failure to properly maintain a greenhouse kit can result in reduced efficiency, diminished plant growth, and costly repairs in the long run.
Choosing a Greenhouse Kit
Choosing the fitting greenhouse kit involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific requirements and preferences. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Size And Space: Determine the available space for your greenhouse and consider the size of the kit that will fit best. Think about the number of plants you want to grow and any additional space needed for storage or workspace.
Materials And Durability: Aside from considering the greenhouse design, it’s best to assess the materials used to construct the greenhouse kit. Opt for durable materials, such as aluminum or galvanized steel for frames and UV-resistant polycarbonate panels for glazing. These materials offer longevity and resistance to weathering.
Climate And Location: Consider the environment and location where the greenhouse will be installed. Choose a kit with insulation, ventilation options, and shading systems suited to your local climate. This ensures optimal growing conditions year-round.
Assembly Difficulty: Evaluate your DIY skills and the complexity of the assembly process. Some greenhouse kits are designed for easy assembly with minimal tools and experience required, while others may be more challenging. Choose a kit that matches your expertise and available time for assembly.
Budget: Determine your budget for purchasing and installing a greenhouse kit. Prices can vary significantly depending on size, materials, and features. Balance your budget with the desired quality and functionality of the kit.
Reviews And Recommendations: Research customer reviews and seek recommendations from other gardeners with greenhouse kits experience. Reading about others’ experiences can provide valuable insights into different kits’ quality, performance, and durability.
Warranty And Support: Check the warranty coverage and customer support the manufacturer offers. A reliable warranty ensures protection against defects or issues with the kit, while responsive customer support can assist with any questions or concerns during assembly or use.
Final Thoughts
Greenhouse kits offer numerous benefits, including ease of assembly, affordability, portability, climate control, and space optimization.
However, potential drawbacks—such as limited size options, durability concerns, temperature control challenges, structural integrity issues, and maintenance requirements—should also be considered before purchasing a greenhouse kit.
Ultimately, investing in a greenhouse kit should be based on individual preferences, budget constraints, and specific gardening needs.
As I walk around residential areas one thing I have started to see more and more is artificial grass.
I have even seen builders put artificial grass on the nature strips in front of their show houses. (Can you still call them nature strips with artificial grass?)
Here are my thoughts on how they compare for use in the home:
Real Grass
Artificial Grass
Installation
To get a good lawn requires good soil preparation whether you are going to use seed or turf. It will initially require heavy watering.
Artificial grass should be laid on a level well compacted gravel bed. Following the laying of the mat a filler of rubber granules is added and brushed in.
Cost
Low for seed to high for turf
High
First use
Can be a few weeks for turf to months for seed
Immediately
Water Use
10-20L/m2 per week in summer without rain
Zero
Maint’nce
Weekly mowing in summer and regular edging
Regular weedkill and monthly raking to keep up appearance
Repair
Easy and low cost
Difficult and expensive, particularly if it becomes uneven.
Suitability for sport
Ok for garden putting greens
Good for sports such as tennis as it’s resistant to wear
Enviro Effects
Helps absorb CO2
Saves water
Look
Seasonal and weather changes also watering dependant
Always green
Feel
Soft and cool on feet Neutral to pleasant smell
Soft but Hot in direct sunlight, static can build up, and has rubbery smell*
Effect on the House
Will help keep the house cool
No effect
Allergies
Can affect hay fever sufferers, especially when mowing
No effect
* spraying with a weak solution of fabric softener will help with static and smell
As for me….. well my children have grown up and I don’t like mowing lawns so we haven’t got any lawn, just a native garden.
If you haven’t heard of the expression ‘Guerrilla Gardening’ is gardening on land you don’t own.
So why would you spend your time on this when you have got lots of other jobs in your new house?
Well in my case I lived on a corner block and had over 20m of colorbond fence at the side of the house.
Between this fence and the footpath there was this triangular piece of open space about 200mm wide at one and 5m wide at the other end.
The fence looked boring and within one week of it going up it got hit by graffiti.
The challenge was to prevent further graffitti and improve the look of the house from the side, without spending too much money.
I went for a fairly simple plan
Prickly native shrubs at the back.
An area of aganpanthus in the widest area
Native grasses and pig face at the front.
Although the shrubs were typically only 300mm high when they went it is interesting that no more graffitti occurred when people could see the area was being cared for.
What you can see in the photograph is after five years of growth. This has occurred in spite of minimal watering for the first year and nothing afterwards over a period of prolonged drought.
As for the mosaic its Che Guevara, probably the most famous Guerilla……………But I have changed the image you normally see on T shirts etc, to put a daisy on his hat and flowers around the bottom.
During the building process there can be a lot of materials that would go to waste if you don’t speak to the builder and make sure they are left on site.
Here are some of the materials we have saved and reused to save us considerable time and money.
Bricks being used as path edge
Broken bricks and roof tiles were used to form the foundations of most of the paths around our property. A topping of Tuscan chippings has formed some great rustic paths.
Some complete roof tiles were saved, to be used in case of any future damage.
Sand was spread over an area that had been dug over to help break up the clay.
Complete bricks were used as path edging and Scoria from the drainage pipe surrounds was used to infill the area between paving slabs. (see photo )
Timber was used for formwork for additional concrete paths.
Large rocks from the excavation were used as garden features.
Small rocks were used to edge rustic paths and walls etc.
One piece of broken drainage pipe was used to make a washing basket stand near the washing hoist. Another was used to form a small bridge as a garden feature.
There’s no better feeling than growing your own vegetables.
It’s not only fun and healthy, its super rewarding.
When thinking of starting your own little veggie garden, sometimes getting it started can be the hardest part.
While choosing things to grow, it’s important to grow produce that is easy to grow rather than your favourite produce, save this till next year.
Growing produce that is simple, gives you the confidence to begin taking on bigger challenges, and before long your whole yards will be a little veggie garden.
Growing crops that require little maintenance and have a short harvest time is a great way to start.
Location
Pick a part of your garden that is sheltered but sunny.
Exceptions to this rule include salad leaves and some herbs.
Soil
The quality of your soil is another important factor for your grow, chances are if things are already growing there, your produce will to.
First step is to prepare the soil, this is done by removing weeds and turning over the soil, loosening things up.
Only grow what you have space for, don’t grow plants too closely together, so follow the recommendation on the seed packets.
Potatoes
Potatoes are one of my favourites to grow.
Plant them in the ground or even in a box.
Wait until the first leaves begin to show, then you cover these with soil.
This helps them grow faster for the next few weeks, then its harvest time.
Depending on what time of year you plant your potatoes, between planting and harvesting is roughly 3 – 4 months.
Beetroot
Beetroot is another simple vegetable to grow as and can be planted by simply twisting it into the soil like a drill.
Beetroot leaves can be harvested after 6 weeks or so (leaves are great for salads) and the bulb harvested after 3 months.
Cucumbers
Cucumber seeds are simple to sow, and are best placed roughly 2cm under the soil.
Cucumbers enjoy the sun like the rest of us, and prefer warm temperatures.
Providing they are watered regularly, and have plenty of sun, they grow like crazy.
Cucumbers crawl along the ground or you can use a trellis.
Cucumber vines grow up to 2.4m so if you have a small garden it’s important to let them grow.
When crammed they produce a smaller more bitter yield, so give them plenty of room to breathe.
Spinach
Spinach is similar to growing Lettuce, something we should all be able to master.
Its best planted in well-drained soil as it encourages root growth.
It’s a plant that can grow year-round as its not deterred by the cold.
When you plant your spinach seeds, you will need to go through and thin where you planted a few weeks later.
Just be sure to remove any area where you see clusters appears.
After you have done this your spinach will be ready to harvest in 6-8 weeks.
Tristan is a writer from Sydney Gardeners, his passion for writing stemmed from his experience in the gardening industry. Writing first hand from years of practical knowledge.
Once the house is completed it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about the foundations.
This is particularly the case if your house is Built on Clay as there is a risk of ‘Slab Heave’.
This is the result of moisture getting into the clay under the slab causing the clay to swell pushing the slab upwards.
Protection Against Soil Heave
In South Australia there is a requirement for a 1m path around the building if there is a risk of ‘Soil Heave’,
That is good practice whichever state you live in.
The diagram below shows a suitable detail to protect the ground under your slab.
The key issues are:
Paving falls away from external walls for at least 1m with a minimum fall of 1:20 (50mm of fall in 1m)
Where the water will not continue to flow away from the edge of the path an Aggi Drain in a trench backfilled with granular material should be provided.
Although the requirement for an aggi drain is not as critical where the ground slopes away from the slab, it is nevertheless good practice to have one.
Got Problems?
Generally there aren’t easy fixes for foundation problems, and the cures aren’t DIY jobs
You really need to get an expert involved like Geotech Built
A lot of people forget all about outside electrical work. . . but it can make a big difference to how much easier it makes things.
I have listed some of the electrical things you might like to think about.
Weatherproof Lights
Light at the front door. ( A good security feature Time switch control is best)
Light to illuminate the driveway. (Sensor or time switch)
Light at the back door.
Lights on the deck/alfresco dining/patio/barby/pool deck/garden
Light for the washing line.
For lights at the side and round the back of the house I generally find bunker fittings work well. They are inexpensive, not as harsh as floodlights, and can be fitted with a low energy bulb.
Weatherproof Outlets
Back door (double socket)
Deck/al-fresco dining/patio/barby/area (at least one double socket)
Driveway (single socket or have a convenient double at the front of the garage)
Pressure pump for water tank (single switched outlet should be OK)
For Low Voltage Garden lights (double socket in a weatherproof box which can also house the transformers)
Shed or separate garage.
Underneath the front eaves. (Only if you are going to want to put up Christmas Lights, one double at least)
Other
Door Bell/ Security system
15 Amp socket for spa/pool
15 Amp switched Outlet(s) for future split system air conditioning outdoor unit.
15 Amp switched Outlet(s) for Heat Pump
Conduits under driveway/ paths for future garden lights, and fountains.
TV aerial point in the Alfresco dining area for a grand final or Melbourne Cup Barby.
What’s the best outside electrical fitting in your house?
