Today more and more homeowners are growing bedding plants, vegetable transplants and house plants in greenhouses. These greenhouses are called hobby greenhouses. They are usually small in size but can be as large as a small commercial grower’s greenhouse.

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The gardener who has a greenhouse can extend or intermingle the seasons at will. With the many types of heating and cooling systems available, temperatures can be maintained to keep you and your plants comfortable. Whether you wish to build your own greenhouse from scratch or purchase a prefabricated structure ready for assembly, there are several basics that must be met.

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A hobby greenhouse can be a simple, polyethylene-covered framework that can be put together in one afternoon for less than one hundred dollars or it can be a six thousand dollar prefabricated structure. There are two basic types of greenhouses: attached and freestanding. An attached greenhouse may be even-span, lean-to or window-mounted.  A freestanding greenhouse is usually even-span (symmetrical roof).

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No matter which size or type of greenhouse you choose, consider how much time you will have to spend in it after it is built. With automatic controls in your greenhouse and easy-care plants, maintenance can be kept to a few hours a week. Automatic controls are ideal for providing proper growing temperature, artificial light, watering, humidity, and ventilation. If you have the time to regulate the environment, you can save a great amount of money by not using automatic controls.