Growing your  produce is becoming an increasingly popular hobby, providing a person and their family with fresh fruits and vegetables from their backyard. Sometimes the weather can be harsh and ruin months worth of hard work in a matter of seconds. That is why it’s important to protect and cover your plants by enclosing them in an adequately sized greenhouse. Here are the top 5 ways to build a greenhouse for sustainability, making sure your plant haven is as eco-friendly as possible.

1. Location, location, location! When determining a spot for your new greenhouse, make sure to utilize the area with the most sunlight. Placement along an east-west orientation with the longest side facing south will maximize available sunlight (Hendricks). Once a greenhouse is constructed, it is not as easy as it looks to move to a new spot, so make sure you choose your sunny spot wisely!
2. Turn the old, into new! Any old or broken items from your home could  be repurposed in the green house. Old wood, broken doors or railings, various building materials and their odds and ends could be recycled into a “new” floor for the greenhouse. Even old glass could be reused, making makeshift “stained glass” panels.
3. Bigger isn’t always better. Don’t go overboard with the size of your greenhouse. Yes, you want to have the ability to move around without knocking over plants or stepping on a tomato, but too big could be a waste of money. Work out a comfortable space for you and go from there.
4. Keep the windows and doors closed tight! Insulation is a very important factor in building a greenhouse. It helps to not burn up unnecessary energy and also keeps your plants and their best.
5. Keep your energy clean! It’s recommended to try and use as little energy/power as possible when working in a greenhouse, but sometimes it is necessary. If it’s needed in your case, solar panels may be perfect for you. This will provide the energy needed without the waste.

These tips will help make your new greenhouse last and stay friendly to the environment, the way a greenhouse should!

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