6 Essential Factors To Consider When Choosing A Greenhouse Building

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When choosing a greenhouse for your gardening needs, there are a few critical factors to remember. Here are six essential things to consider when deciding: climate, location, size, type of glazing, ventilation, and automation. With these factors in mind, you'll be on your way to finding the perfect greenhouse for your home or business.

Location - consider its location and space requirements

Location is an essential factor to consider when selecting a greenhouse building. As an optimal location should receive direct sunlight but be sheltered from strong winds, it can be challenging to determine the perfect spot for a greenhouse. Space required for the structure is also essential – luckily, many greenhouses come in different sizes and can even be configured to fit your unique space needs. It is recommended that you decide how much space you need and then check out the available options to choose the best type of greenhouse for your purposes and location before purchasing.

Size - what size you need for your project

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a greenhouse building is size. The size of the greenhouse you need to accommodate your plants or gardening project will depend heavily on the type and number of plants you plan on cultivating, as well as any other items that need to be stored in the space, such as tools and supplies. If you’re looking for a greenhouse as a hobby, generally, it can range from double-extension greenhouses 9 ft in length up to nursery greenhouses 114 ft in length. It's important to remember to measure your garden space first before investing in any greenhouse building, so you don’t end up buying one that’s too big or too small.

Ventilation - how will you ventilate the greenhouse

When choosing a greenhouse building, ventilation is an essential factor to consider. The right ventilating system can help you achieve the ideal climate while reducing energy usage. Several types of ventilation systems exist, such as natural and mechanical exhaust, Rankine cycle systems, and energy recovery solutions. Evaluating your climate conditions and finding air movement solutions that augment desired temperature and humidity levels is essential. Regarding airflow, you should look for good cross-ventilation to create the best environment for optimized growth conditions. If the overall results are not up to standards, you may need an additional means of cooling your space during hot periods.

Heating and cooling - how will you heat and cool the greenhouse

When selecting a greenhouse building, it's essential to consider how the structure will be heated and cooled. There are various heating and cooling systems that you can use depending on your own needs, including boilers/radiators, air blowers, fans, geothermal pumps, and more. For example, if you choose a boiler/radiator system,  install pipes within your greenhouse to circulate the heat. Consider all these potential systems before making your decision so that you can determine whether they fit into the size, location, and budget of your project.

Lighting - what kind of lighting system you need

Lighting is a critical element when choosing the suitable greenhouse. Inadequate lighting can lead to poor quality or low quantities of produce, reduced respiratory activity of the plants, and failure of seed germination. Depending on your region and growing objective, you must consider various factors when selecting a suitable lighting system for your greenhouse. The type of plant you are growing should be considered, as some will require more hours of light than others; choose a system that offers enough light intensity to meet these requirements.

Furthermore, if possible, locate your greenhouse in an area that provides plenty of sunshine and ensure the roofing material designed for it creates an environment that allows maximum natural light penetration. Ultimately, the best way to ensure optimal growing conditions is by combining natural sunlight and supplemental artificial lighting.

Materials - what kind of materials will you use

When picking the materials for your greenhouse building, it is essential to consider durability, affordability, and practicality. Comparing wood, plastic, metal, and glass allows you to assess which material works best for insulation and which is the most cost-effective and durable. For example, glass panels offer excellent insulation and natural light, but they can be pretty expensive and fragile in greenhouse parts prone to wear and tear. Likewise, metal can last longer than wood but may require costly maintenance. Consider these factors carefully when choosing materials for your greenhouse building: durability, cost-effectiveness, and practicality.

Concluding thoughts

When choosing a greenhouse, it is essential to consider all the factors that will affect your plants and gardening project. Carefully select the location, size, ventilation, heating and cooling, lighting, and materials for your greenhouse to create the best environment for your plants. Considering all of these factors, you can ensure that your plants will thrive inside the greenhouse.

10 Low-Maintenance Plants for Your Home

Mother nature is a part of all of us. It became clear that we need to take a step back and go back to our roots in this day and age. And what better way to reconnect than incorporating some roots in our own homes? Plants can make any area seem cozier and put together quickly when faced with an empty corner, bookshelf, or mantel and no idea what to place there. You don't have to be an expert in Botanics to do so - there are a lot of low-maintenance plants for your home you can choose.

1. Cast Iron Plant

The cast iron plant has a well-deserved reputation as one of the toughest and lowest-maintenance plants worldwide, capable of growing and flourishing in almost any environment. There are no better plants for filling up a corner or adding drama to a space than those with long, pointed leaves (which may grow up to two feet long). Even if you have a small space at home, this succulent will surely satisfy your need for a bit of greenery. For the best results, keep your cast iron plants away from windows or in a shady spot in your house.

2. Pilea Peperomioides

The pilea, sometimes known as the "UFO plant" because of its disk-shaped leaves, is one of those low-maintenance plants that look stunning while needing little attention. However, pilea may be used in all home designs, and they're often connected with Scandinavian minimalism.

Take extra care in special conditions

If you're in the process of moving, you should take certain precautions to move your plants safely. It's best to consult some professional movers for help, read as many things as you can about what you need to know about moving houseplants, and learn about this beforehand. Your UFO plant will make your new home just as beautiful as the last one. 

3. Spider Plant

These spiky plants have a bushy appearance and long, thin leaves. They spread rapidly, and their roots go deep into the soil. As long as the pot is large enough to accommodate the spider plant's growth, it may thrive in almost any container imaginable. To care for it, spider plants demand bright, indirect light and like their soil to dry out between waterings.

4. Monstera Deliciosa

Here's another stunning monster that will look great on your Instagram feed. Large-leafed monsteras are prone to rapid growth (a new leaf is expected every week during the summer months) and are simple to recover from leaf cuttings if you make a mistake with light or watering. Place it in bright or medium-bright indirect sunlight for the most remarkable results. Water approximately once every ten days to two weeks, or as long as it takes for the soil to dry out properly.

5. Aloe Vera

As a sunburn moisturizer, aloe vera is a well-known ingredient. The colorful and attractive foliage and the soothing salve in the leaves make it a popular choice for low-maintenance plants, but you should only pluck a third of the leaves at a time to prevent the plant from going to seed (which would be a waste). The aloe vera plant, like other succulents, needs very little water and care. It needs bright but indirect sunshine, and you should water it well once a week in the summer and once every two to three weeks in the fall.

6. Jade Plant

Cultivated for its compact, thick and glossy leaves, regarded as the "lucky plant," this succulent is adored by many. This beauty is the first choice if you want to fill the void in your empty nest. If you're a novice gardener, this is an excellent option since it's a low-maintenance plant that can grow for years in the appropriate location. A west-facing window would be an ideal location for this jade plant because of its high light requirements.

7. Prayer Plant

The prayer plant, also known as maranta leuconeura, is a tropical plant that folds its leaves in prayer every nightfall. Prayer plants, which are native to the rainforest, want high humidity, but they're excellent at renewing if you make a mistake, giving you a little leeway until you discover what they prefer most. Keep prayer plants away from air conditioners and put them in areas with bright but indirect sunshine to make them happy. Also, use water that's at least room temperature or slightly warmer.

8. Pothos

When it comes to drama, pothos is the first on the stand. Their vines can grow up to 10 feet long, making them ideal for hanging. These fancy fellas are perfect for adding a luxury and comfort vibe to your guest bathroom. Apart from its fundamental genetics, each variety has a hardiness that enables it to thrive in most environments, even the artificial lighting of an office. However, avoid placing them directly in the sun if possible. Before re-watering, make sure the soil is totally dry.

9. Philadendrons

Philodendrons, like pothos, are fast-growing plants with a unique look. They are very easygoing and adaptable to most residential conditions. As a bonus, there are more than 450 recognized varieties of the heart-shaped philodendron plant. This lovely giant needs bright to medium light and watering when the soil is dry. But, keep in mind that it's not pet-friendly because of some toxic compounds in it.

However, their relocation is going to require some planning and thinking. If you are moving houses and want to take your philodendrons with you, consult professionals such as roadwaymoving.com about the best way to approach the task. That's the only way not to jeopardize the safety of your precious plant.

10. Cactus

Because these prickly succulents are often native to arid and hot settings, they are excellent at surviving for extended periods without needing to be watered. They also develop slowly and don't need much in fertilization during their lives. Cacti can be little in size, but they sure can make your house feel like home. As long as you provide them with enough sunlight, most cacti should be content in your house for many years to come.

...And Many More Low-Maintenance Plants for Your Home

Of course, this is not all. Here are some honorable mentions:

• peace lily

• African spear

• devil's ivy

There are many low-maintenance plants for your home you can choose from. Plants are lovely and should be cherished, so take your creativity to the plant shop and select your new green friend today!

How to Remove & Control Invasive Plants

The key point of landscaping is to control the way in which your property grows. Sure, untamed nature has its charm, but you simply cannot allow unrestricted growth on your property. Why? Well, because it’s dangerous for the foundations of your home, your pathways, your driveway, and because it attracts pests. Avoiding all of this takes more work than you would expect.

Now, removing and controlling invasive plants takes a lot of work. When developing a plan (and you always need a plan), you need to put a special emphasis on invasive plants. What are these invasive plants? Simply put, these are the plants that appear seemingly out of nowhere, grow more rapidly than the rest of your backyard plants, and steal nutrients from the rest of the plants on your property.

With that in mind and without further ado, here’s how you can spot, remove, and control invasive plants on your property.

Identify Invasive Plants

The first thing you need to do is identify invasive plants on your property. This can be done through a visual assessment – you go to your backyard and try to spot them. Then, you use your device to go online and check the list of local invasive plants. Here, you can find plants like:

• Autumn olive

• Kudzu

• Wild grape

• Multiflora rose

• Asian privet

Of course, this list greatly varies according to your location, local climate, and local plant life. A huge part here lies in your ability to recognize the plant from the list. Once again, you should craft your strategy according to this.

One more thing to keep in mind is that invasive plants don’t have to exist in the nearest vicinity in order to make it to your own garden. Pests and birds carry the seeds, so as long as they’re present anywhere in your area, there’s a chance that they will find their way to your property. One more thing to keep in mind, if there are invasive plants on nearby properties, they are certain to appear on your property, as well.

Proceed With Removal

Anyone who has any experience knows of the regenerative ability of plant life. With invasive plants, this regenerative ability is even more prominent for a number of reasons. First of all, they can sprout virtually anywhere, especially near the remains of pruned or cut-down trees and shrubs. This is why you need to remove large tree roots from the lawn altogether once you’ve already cut down the trees. In other words, removed plants need to be removed in their entirety.

Hire a professional 

Ideally, you would hire a professional landscaper to help you deal with this problem. A professional knows how to do this thoroughly and systematically. They also have professional tools which facilitate the process and reduce the likelihood that someone will get injured.

One thing that you always need to look out for is the process of removing these plants without harming the rest of your property’s growth. This can be incredibly difficult because a lot of these invasive plants develop a semi-parasitic bond with the rest of your garden. They become intertwined, almost leaching on some plants that you see as essential for your garden. What you want to do is kill these invasive plants without damaging the rest of your garden.

In a lot of scenarios, the use of herbicides will be used. It’s incredibly hard to use herbicides safely and effectively at the same time.

Be strategic about it 

There are a lot of things you need to consider when getting rid of invasive species. For instance, you need to choose the best time of year to do so. Ideally, you would target a plant before it starts seeding. If you decide to go for herbicide, you might have to go with a specific time of the year in order to get the best effect. Just remember that each species and each area have its own ideal time.

Most importantly, you need to understand that this is a process that may take years. After eradicating them in one corner of your backyard, the plants are bound to sprout someplace else.

Replace Them

Now, while it is true that these invasive plants are usually undesirable, they do fill in the place. The more space they occupy, the emptier your garden will look once you’ve finally gotten rid of them.

Moreover, some other invasive plants may see this gap as an amazing opportunity for growth. After all, there’s all this space and all these unused nutrients. To make matters worse, if this is done unprofessionally and you fail to remove the entirety of the invasive plants, parts of it remain in the ground and may act as some sort of compost. Needless to say, this will facilitate the growth of the next invasive plant.

The best way to act in this scenario is to be proactive and plant your own replacement. There are some plants that act in a similar way to these invasive plants but are also far more aesthetic (or at least more to your own liking). By replacing this undesirable plant with a plant of your choice, you’re actually making a world of difference.

Just make sure that you understand what you’re actually trying to accomplish here. When growing an organic garden, it’s for the best to make nature work for you (instead of against you), but you also need to ensure that you do your preparation right. Composting, mulching, aerating, and irrigating the area will make your garden far more efficient, regardless of what you plant.

In Conclusion

Nature is neither for you nor against you – it just is. There are some rules and plants that exploit these rules more efficiently than others. Understanding these rules can help you turn the tables and make the garden you want with as little effort as possible. This will increase the aesthetics of your property, boost its resale value, and give you a sense of personal accomplishment. All of this put together is definitely worth the effort.

Safe Indoor Plants

Considering nearly 70 percent of American households have a pet, it’s fair to assume many homeowners are also pet owners. This means when it comes to putting the finishing touches on our homes we have to keep our pups, cats, and other pets top of mind. This can include everything from flooring that can withstand scratching, cabinet hardware that can take the gnawing, and even the indoor plants we keep —  after all, we’ve long turned to greenery to spruce up our space, but how often are we really considering whether it’s pet-safe?

With March marking Pet Poison Prevention Month — and with plants among the top 10 most reported pet toxins, according to the ASPCA — the time is now to reconsider how to help our plants and pets live in harmony. Consider this your gut check that, as homeowners, we needn’t subject our pets to toxins to create a feel-good oasis. We just need to opt for pet-safe plant alternatives. 
To help, Honest Paws curated an ultimate guide to pet-friendly plants and compiled some of them into the infographic here. Scroll through the pet-friendly finishing touches, as well as the health benefits of incorporating both pets and plants into your abode.