Many garden fans and self-sufficient people would like to have their own greenhouse at some point, which would shorten the harvest-free period in the winter months to just a few weeks. But for whom is a glass house worthwhile and what size is optimal? We would like to address these and other questions in more detail in the following article.
Who is a greenhouse useful for?
A greenhouse is worthwhile for garden lovers and self-sufficient people who want to grow vegetables, grow plants and overwinter regardless of weather conditions. It also offers protection from pests and can serve as a winter garden.
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What advantages does a greenhouse offer?
- Protected cultivation of vegetables, even in unstable weather conditions.
- Plants that are normally too cold in our latitudes thrive in the glasshouse.
- Ideal for growing and overwintering plants.
- Snails and many other types of vermin are rarely found in greenhouses.
- In winter, the greenhouse can be used as a place to store garden tools and furniture.
Last but not least, an attractive glass house can definitely replace the winter garden. Since the warming light can enter unhindered, you can essentially sit in the garden at pleasant temperatures and relax wonderfully with a clear view of the greenery.
Tips and considerations before purchasing
- Should only vegetables and herbs be grown or should balcony plants overwinter in the greenhouse?
- Is there a free, sunny place in the garden where the house can stand.
- Should it come from a specialist store or would you like to build it yourself? The dimensions of freely planned greenhouses can be planned flexibly, which can be an advantage.
- What type of house should it be? Initially just a cheap foil greenhouse or a free-standing glass house with a gable roof. Maybe it should be a pretty round house or a lean-to house that is connected to the residential building? These considerations also affect the price.
- Which frame construction do you want? This can be made of aluminum, steel, wood or plastic.
- The roofing depends on this, which can be made of single glass, plastic, double-skin sheets or foil.
- Should the greenhouse be heated all year round or should the ventilation be automatic?
How much space does the greenhouse need?
Glass houses are already available with a floor area of around 3 square meters, so you don't have to miss out on the luxury of a greenhouse even in a small garden. If you have enough space available, you should calculate the size of the house at least so that you can work comfortably with the garden tools in it.
If you want to grow tomatoes and cucumbers under glass for the whole family, the area of the greenhouse should not be less than three by four meters. A ridge height of two meters is optimal in this case.
If possible, plan the size of the glass house using a planting plan in which you draw all the plants that need to find space in it. If the house is also to be used as a place to relax, don't forget to have some free space for a small seat.
Tip
Most greenhouses do not require a permit. However, there are no uniform regulations across Germany. You can find the regulation that applies to your federal state in the state building regulations. The responsible building authority can provide information about this.
