Greenhouse Types: How to Choose the Right One for Your Garden

The first step in building a greenhouse operation is to choose one of the greenhouse types. Every greenhouse comes in various shapes, styles, and sizes. Choosing the right one for your growing operation ensures the utmost success. In this article, we’ll cover the greenhouse types and each one’s pros and cons so you can select the ideal one for your garden.

Greenhouse Types 1: The Gable Roof Greenhouse

One of the most popular and common greenhouse structures is the gable roof. Because of its sloping, flat roofs, large amounts of sunlight peak into the enclosure to reach your plants. Many people use either glass or plastic panels for the roof, depending on your budget and growing operation. The structure provides plenty of space for plants and beyond, allowing you to move freely in the greenhouse without feeling cramped.

Greenhouse Types 2: The A-Frame

Regarded as popular as the gable roof, the A-frame is a simple, yet effective greenhouse design. It requires minimal materials to set up, saving money and time. Anyone, no matter experience level, can put these greenhouses together. The only difficult part about this greenhouse structure is that the base is wide, but the length gets narrower as it reaches the top. Meaning, if you’re tall or growing taller plants, you may have a challenging time being in the enclosure.

Greenhouse Types 3: Hoop House

The name is as fun as the structure. The hoop house is typically used for backyard greenhouse structures and is put together by a series of hoops covered by greenhouse plastic. Many growers love hoop houses because they’re easy to set up and cost- efficient. However, insulation isn’t very good, meaning you’ll have to put in extra measures to regulate temperature, which is key for plant growth. If your weather conditions tend to be harsh and erratic, it’s best to stay away from hoop houses because you will have a difficult time regulating temperature.

Greenhouse Types 4: Gothic Arch

The gothic arch is a unique greenhouse structure as it has high vault ceilings with curved walls to create a dome-like shape. The gothic arch is an open-world concept that allows for an ample amount of space and height, creating the perfect environment for just about any plant or person. While the setup time might take longer than other structures, the gothic arch pays off in the long run as it is efficient, functional, and long-lasting.

Greenhouse Types 5: Geodesic Dome

Geodesic domes are highly regarded for their strength and energy-efficient materials. Because of their unrelenting strength, these domes are very resistant to harsh weather, making them the perfect solution for those who live in harsher climates. Also, the dome shape paves the way for the dome to capture large portions of sunlight for your plants. Even though this structure takes more time and effort to create, it’s worth it with the support and efficiency it provides.

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At NickGreens, we dedicate our time and resources to helping anyone, no matter their experience level, learn about the new ways of farming. Want to learn more about innovative farming and growing methods? Listen to our Polygreens podcast to learn more about controlled environment agriculture, and subscribe to our Microgreens Facebook group to connect with others just like you!