The backyard Greenhouse

GREENHOUSES AND LATH HOUSES
In a climate where killing cold is a reality of winter, a green house broadens the scope of gardening, making it possible to  overwinter tender perennials —and even tropical plants—and to get a head start in spring with seedlings and cuttings.

If designed to do so, a greenhouse can also double as a conservatory The heated greenhouse shown opposite, top, is furnished with a table and chairs in summer. Most of the plants are taken outside when the weather warms, so there is plenty of room to sit, and the family has a glassed-in space with a broad view of the garden.

There are three kinds of greenhouses: cold, cool, and warm. A cold greenhouse is heated only
by the sun. Though unsuitable for tropical plants, it provides protection for plants that are
borderline hardy and it extends the growing season in spring and autumn. A cool greenhouse is heated, keeping the ambient temperature above 45°F—warm enough to overwinter frost-tender plants. A "hothouse", used for growing tropicals, must he kept above 55°P at all times.

"The Garden Greenhouse...", continued from page 1 6-15-2010

A local nursery or landscaping contractor may know of natural ways to keep a greenhouse warm in your area. The unheated green house shown below manages to keep the temperatures inside above freezing throughout the winter The greenhouse is located on the south side of the property to catch as much sun as possible. A long mirror mounted inside on the north-facing wail catches the sun and reflects it back, and the cement  floor absorbs the heat. In winter, a dozen water-filled buckets covered with black plastic are positioned around the inside. The water heats up during die day and radiates that warmth at night.

Accessories available for greenhouses include heaters, ranging from small electric units to large natural gas heaters; thermostatically controlled fans to circulate the air, keeping the temperature even throughout the space and helping prevent mildew and condensation; vents, including automatic models that open and close on their own as the temperature inside fluctuates; water-misting systems; benches and shelves, also known as staging; and lights.

Depending on your budget, you can have anything from a basic, unheated green house, either freestanding or attached to the house, for relatively little money, or a state-of-the-art marvel outfitted with all the bells and whistles of modern computer technology

A. (above) Because this greenhouse was built as an extension of the house, heat is shared between the two spaces on energy. A shade cloth the green house in summer.

B. Akin to a small greenhouse and easy to build, a cold frame is an in expensive way of extending the growing season in spring and autumn and of protecting container plants from winter winds.