The most crucial aspect of planning for a greenhouse is going to come in terms of costs. The true cost of a greenhouse is going to look staggering, but that’s why it’s always important to shop around. Making economically sound decisions will help keep some of these costs down.
Overall building cost is going to be hard to pinpoint because of all the variations in size and whether you choose to go DIY, prefabricated, or a hobby kit. However, we can break down the factors that may raise or lower your costs.
Greenhouse prices will vary based on a few key factors, and the first is your structure’s size. As mentioned before, the bigger the greenhouse, the more you’re going to pay. But it will go beyond that. With a bigger greenhouse, you’ll need more plants to fill the space. When you get more plants, you’re going to be using more water for them. Your greenhouse will still need to be heated and cooled, which is going to take more to do in a large structure, so you will see higher utility bills. You’re also going to put more focus on cleaning and pest control. Basically, everything is going to be “more” with larger greenhouses.
This makes planning a must. Some designs are going to be more cost-effective than others, but you may be limited by regulations. On the other hand, you might find a cost-effective design that you love because of those regulations.
- Hidden and Overlooked Costs
As we move on, we can discuss the hidden or overlooked costs of a greenhouse. From construction to usage, there are things that need to be considered in your budget so they don’t sneak up on you later.
- Site-Prep and Foundation
Clearing the area where the greenhouse will be and setting a foundation in place will be needed (or required). This is going to take some work, and it will cost you equipment rental to get the job done along with the materials to lay the foundation. It will also cost a lot more if you need to hire a professional.
- Utilities
You likely know that you’re going to see an uptick in your utility bills. However, the first set of utility bills are going to be astounding when you see them. Having a full understanding of what you’re expecting will help you avoid that shock.
- Water: Plants need water. Some need a lot of water. Water usage will go up regardless, but it could be even more if you install a drip irrigation or spray system in your greenhouse.
- Electricity: This will be the bill that will skyrocket the most. Your greenhouse is going to need heating or cooling operations, and if you want to grow year round, then you are going to use both. There will be fans, greenhouse heaters, and potentially an automated vent system. You should also account for grow lights or regular lights, thermostats, timers, extension cords, and anything else that will draw power.
While there will be a shock in costs with these things, you can invest more at the beginning with solar panels and rain barrels. Check local regulations, but this could be a great way to save money later on.
- Plants and Soil
Plants are going to be expensive as well, especially if you buy anything from the nursery. Seeds are the more cost-effective route, but those will still take up a noticeable space in your budget. This cost will only rise if you bring in exotic plants.
If you want plants to thrive, then they are going to have their own soil needs. Compost is a great way to get nutrients to your plants, so if you already have a composting system, you can save a lot on feeding your plants.
- Cleaning Supplies
An overlooked expense is the cleaning supplies. While there should be a good cleaning once a year, you can’t forget that sometimes you will need to clean the outer windows. While it might not take a lot of money, it’s still going to cost you your time because if it isn’t done, it could cost you your entire garden.
- Pest Control
Prevention will always be cheaper than treatment, but you will still need those preventive measures. A lot of gardeners would prefer not to use toxic chemicals in their greenhouses. This might be you, and with sticky traps, insect nets, neem oil, and even companion plants, you will keep pests under control.
What is companion planting? You plant crops close to each other to help with pollination, but the best benefit is that these plants can attract the insects that feed on pests that get into your greenhouse.
- Repairs and Maintenance
This goes beyond weakened parts of your frame and glazing. You want to make sure all parts of your greenhouse are in working condition throughout the year. Fans should be clean and operational. Vents should open and close correctly, and anything else you have in the building. This also means replacing the things that are no longer working optimally. If you are not proficient at repairing mechanical items, a professional might be more expensive, but it’s better than the expense you could face later on.
- Insurance
Besides guarantees and warranties, you still want to make sure your greenhouse is protected. Sometimes, manufacturer warranties are for a limited time and for specific issues that deal with the construction of the structure. Check with your home insurance provider. This will be an added expense, but it can help you out if anything is to happen to your greenhouse.
WHERE TO PLACE YOUR GREENHOUSE
Of course, the biggest thing you want to think about is where and how you are going to place your greenhouse, because it really makes all the difference in your growing season. You want a site that gets maximum sun exposure and is away from frost pockets and the colder winds. Many gardeners will only have one site to choose from, but that’s where positioning will also give you a better advantage.
- Greenhouses Need Plenty of Light
You don’t want to place your greenhouse under trees or anything that is going to shade it. This will encourage algae buildup in the greenhouse, and you will be under all the honeydew left by insects, both of which will cause even less light to get to your plants. Not to mention, you risk falling branches that will damage the structure.
Deciduous trees can provide good, cost-effective shading to your greenhouse, especially in the summer months. They will lose their leaves in the fall, which will allow light to keep coming into the building. This is still at the risk of everything above, though, but only fair to mention them.
- Your Greenhouse Should Be Accessible
You want and should visit your greenhouse as often as you can, especially at the peak of the growing season. These visits don’t have to be for a long time. You might just be out there to water your plants, open or close vents, or just do some light pruning, but with these frequent visits, it works more to your benefit if the greenhouse is closer to your home.
- Set Your Greenhouse on Level Ground
This might be covered by your building codes, as they will have you place your greenhouse on its own foundation. However, if you can just build freely, you don’t want to put your greenhouse on a slope. It’s possible, but it doesn’t really work. You also don’t want to have your greenhouse site at the base of a slope. This is where frost pockets will be, which is where coldness seems to just hang out. The mentioned state doesn’t make for successful winter growing and becomes more of a struggle during your regular growing season.
Note: If you are placing your greenhouse directly on the ground, you need to make sure that the soil within the four walls is well-draining. Depending on where you live, this might take tilling and mixing in organic matter (compost). However, working with soil that doesn’t drain well will lead to larger problems later.
- East-and-West or North-and-South?
Do you want to grow all year long or do you just want a couple of extra months to your growing season?
If you are looking to do year-round gardening, you want to have the door of your greenhouse facing east. This will maximize the amount of light your greenhouse gets during the winter, and it will help heat your greenhouse quickly after a chilly night (cutting down on your energy costs).
If you are planning to shut your greenhouse down as the frosts come in, then you can have your door facing south. This is going to give all of your plants an equal amount of sunlight, which will help (only a little) with overheating.
So your greenhouse should be south-facing or east-facing. This will depend a lot on your growing needs, but it can fall under spacing issues. You might have to position your greenhouse facing the southeast, which still makes for a good greenhouse.
- Give Your Greenhouse Space
You want to leave at least three feet of space around all sides of your greenhouse. This might already be covered by zoning and building regulations, but it should also be done for your own peace of mind. Giving your greenhouse that space will allow for proper ventilation, and it will make it easier on you if you ever need to make repairs to the greenhouse.
- Size Your Greenhouse Properly
Remember that no matter what method and design you use for the greenhouse, it should be sized to fit your needs. As you size it, you also want to make sure that it still meets the requirements above along with any regulations that may be in place. Sometimes this will mean you get the greenhouse’s dimensions and measure it out in your yard with string and posts to get an idea of what it will look like.
With your location decided, it’s time to start construction, which means it’s time to focus on the more important elements and materials for your greenhouse.
