How To Put The Green Back Into The Greenhouse

small greenhouse

Getting your hands dirty and providing your own food or other products sounds as the epitome of sustainable and green movement. Alas, greenhouses are not as green as we believe them to be. Remember the greenhouse effect? The same principle which provides shelter from the elements and animal life is the one responsible for the additional energy you need to cool the greenhouse down or to heat it up, depending on your geographical position and the time of the year.

However, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing you can do about it. Depending on whether you already have a greenhouse or you are only planning on building one, you can adapt to be as green as possible from the foundations up. Of course, adaptations and building green cost money, but it is also an investment as your labor will prove effective and profitable in the long run.

We have compiled a few Eco-friendly tips you can use to transform your greenhouse.

Energy efficient

To make your greenhouse energy efficient there are two main goals. First one is to use as little energy as possible for the daily needs of the greenhouse and the second one is to save as much energy as possible. So the goal is the same.

If you are only planning to set up your greenhouse, you might want to consider different materials. For a more temporary solution rolls of Polyethylene plastic and PVC pipes could be enough, while acrylic, vinyl or regular glass might be used for the classic sort of greenhouse, as long as the panes are doubled.

In the case your construction is sturdy, with foundations and a sound frame, you might even install a window opener. It is a sort of gap which you can open in summer to cool the greenhouse and close up again to prevent heat from escaping. Some window openers are automatic so they open and close depending on temperature. There are even models that use solar energy to operate.

However, if you have already set up your greenhouse you can insulate it depending on its structure. Regardless of the materials used in its construction, you still need to seal all the cracks and get rid of any draft. Bubble wrap is the favorite product of professionals and novices alike, as it is relatively cheap and easy to use.

Winter Is Here

As the temperatures change swiftly at night, your greenhouse will probably need extra protection, especially in winter. If you can spend more, try putting up aluminum or polythene curtains. They are especially useful if you have a glass greenhouse, as the glass is a relatively poor insulation material if you don’t have double panes. Then again, you can opt for a cheaper alternative and cover your plants with fabric and blankets as well as snuggle their pots if they aren’t rooted into the ground.

For some additional heating problems, you might want to put up thermal foil to insulate your northern wall. As it receives the least amount of light but still allows heat to escape, insulating that wall will prove a sound choice.

A small solar panel can also be a smart investment as you can store energy and use it for the greenhouse, for example, you can use it to power tools or heating.

Water consumption

Expect energy use, water consumption is also a big environmental problem. Your plants need regular watering and also you need water for cleaning. The watering part is, of course, the problematic one. Use too little and your plants won’t prosper, use too much and you might harm your plants and waste a valuable resource water is. However, there is a simple and handy way to control the amount of water used, by placing a hose adapter on your hose. It will be much easier to switch between different uses while watering and less water will be wasted.

Another useful tip is collecting rainwater. Of course, this can be done easily if your greenhouse has a steady roof and isn’t made of plastic. It is very important to clean the pipes through which the rain runs and to seal the collector. In this way, you will keep the rain collected free of different mosses, grime, and insects. An additional water source can’t hurt, right?

Green On Green

As you garden and provide food for yourself, you are already on your way to be environmentally friendly. But being green is more a challenge than an achievement, so greening up your greenhouse will make your carbon footprint even smaller. Insulate your greenhouse thoroughly and save energy you would normally use to make it warmer or colder, depending on weather conditions. A few smart tools can also drastically decrease your water consumption. Only a few tricks are all you need to make your greenhouse as green as possible.