Building mini greenhouses is a great way to maximize the use of available growing space by extending the growing season and protecting your plants from the elements and predators. The question is whether to build your own from plans or buying a complete do-it-yourself kit. Taking the time to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each option will help maximize the usefulness and enjoyment of your garden.
The first consideration is if you have the time and skill to construct a building using just plans. Some people are quickly overwhelmed working with schematics and translating there into understandable and manageable tasks successfully. In this case a kit is well worth the money spent. On the other hand, plans allow the owner to adapt designs and materials to match requirements exactly. For example, in damp environments, substituting PVC tubing for copper involves simply choosing a different material. A kit doesn’t allow for these substitutions easily.
It is important to keep in mind the needs of the plants you plan to grow in your mini greenhouse when making your decision. If you are housing plants requiring pollination, than a kit with glazing, rather than plans using plastic sheeting would be a better choice. Glazing that is professionally manufactured to fit a frame supplied in a kit allows for access by pollinators and the option to close the opening when needed. Location and size requirements need to be considered as well. Building a mini greenhouse from plans gives the builder the flexibility to adapt the plan to fit space constraints. A pre-assembled kit may not fit the desired location or size requirements. Being able to make adjustments and modifications may make do-it-yourself plans the best choice.
Clearly, the most important ingredients in deciding which option to select are the skills and resources of the builder. Once basic decisions of location and use are determined, skill and time become the key factors. While plans allow for flexibility, they are useless without the time or aptitude necessary for success.
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