Greenhouse Gardening is the Perfect Way to Beat the Elements

The British weather is up to its usual tricks wreaking havoc on gardeners across the country. What better way to bring some sort of stability into the growing season than by investing in a greenhouse But how do you go about choosing the best one for your specific needs

If youre new to greenhouse gardening, the choice of designs, sizes, finishes and glazing can appear overwhelming. Theres every style from ultra modern to traditional timber, as used in the past. But at the end of the day, they all have the same function - to provide a constant growing environment protected from extremes of weather and to enable the growing of exotic and Mediterranean plants and fruit in the warm atmosphere they require.

Whether your garden stretches as far as the eye can see, or you step out into the cosiest of nooks, a gardeners pride and joy comes in all shapes and sizes and a greenhouse to suit. Responding to the growing interest in greenhouse gardening, the Halls range is one of the most comprehensive and affordable.

Specialising in entry-level greenhouses in many sizes and all representing good value for money, you can find Halls greenhouses at most garden centres and larger gardening and DIY outlets, so its well worth taking time to have a look at them close up. Choosing your first greenhouse is a very rewarding exercise; the more you browse through brochures and internet sites, the more hints and tips youll acquire about growing techniques to apply later on.

Simply decide what your priorities are. First and foremost, consider where you can best site a greenhouse in your garden. How big is the area and are there any overhanging trees or other obstructions on your own or neighbouring plots Bear in mind you may need to check with your local planning department on any building restrictions and regulations. The ground area determines the size of the base and optimum size of greenhouse that can be accommodated. Look carefully at the internal growing area, and in particular the height available. Remember, always choose the largest greenhouse which will physically fit into the allocated area within your budget because once youre hooked and become more ambitious, youll be surprised how rapidly your needs, as well as your plants, will grow.

A sunny, sheltered spot is ideal, but its important to gauge how much sun this area of the garden gets and at what times of the day Take into consideration the extra items youll need. Temperatures under glass soar in peak summer so you would be wise to invest in greenhouse curtain shading to protect plants and vegetables. During cold spells, this has the added bonus of reducing heat loss, making it an essential accessory.

Which way does the area face Ideally, greenhouses should be sited facing west to east with the door on the east side. This is because the whole roof area will catch the suns rays as it rises in the east and travels across the greenhouse.

Are you mainly interested in growing your own vegetables and fruits, or keener on raising bedding and tender plants for your garden displays Your preference will determine, not only how much vertical growing area you require, should you wish to grow vines, tomatoes, palms and tender climbers, but also the amount of shelving and staging youll need for storing your seed trays, plus allowing you ample workspace for propagating and potting up.

Once youve drawn up your wish list, determined your budget and cleared the site, youre ready to select your greenhouse. For a functional, sturdy, safe purchase, you could opt for one of the Halls Popular range. Available in four sizes in silver aluminium or green, any of these models makes the perfect starter greenhouse with all the basic features youll need. Alternatively, the distinctive Supreme is the only greenhouse on the market to feature elegant curves giving it a very stylish look. If youre planning for the future, Halls larger Magnums, Universals and Optimums all make excellent long-term investments and will serve you well.