Traditional Greenhouses

Traditional Greenhouses:
Why They’re Still a Gardener’s Best Friend

Traditional Greenhouses

What Makes a Greenhouse ‘Traditional’?

• Structure and design: Traditional greenhouses usually feature wooden or metal frames covered with glass or transparent plastic panels. They’re designed to trap heat from the sun and keep the inside warmer than the outside.
• Manual control: What sets them apart from modern high-tech greenhouses is the lack of automation. Instead of relying on computers, you manually adjust the vents, water the plants, and control the temperature.
• Hands-on experience: This not only saves money but also connects you more deeply with your garden.

Why Gardeners Still Love Traditional Greenhouses

• Year-round growing: One of the biggest perks is being able to garden all year long. Even if there’s snow on the ground, you can still grow veggies or start your spring plants early.
• Protection from nature: Traditional greenhouses act as a shield against wind, frost, pests, and even too much rain. You won’t have to worry about birds stealing your strawberries or a cold snap wiping out your basil.
• More variety: Want to try growing a tropical plant or a heat-loving pepper that doesn’t normally thrive in your area? You can do that, thanks to the consistent environment a greenhouse provides.
• Fresh food at home: Growing your own food cuts down on store runs and gives you fresh, organic produce whenever you need it.

Best Plants to Grow in a Traditional Greenhouse

• Cool-weather crops: These are perfect for fall and early spring. They don’t need high temperatures and will thrive in the mild climate of a greenhouse. Great choices include lettuce, spinach, kale, and radishes.
• Warm-season veggies: Once things heat up, go for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and zucchini. They love steady warmth and being protected from outdoor pests.
• Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, and chives are easy to grow, perfect for cooking, and don’t take up much space.
• Ornamental and tropical flowers: Orchids, begonias, hibiscus, and African violets all enjoy the greenhouse environment and bring beauty to your space.

Setting Up Your Greenhouse the Right Way

• Choose a sunny spot: South or southeast-facing locations are ideal since they get the most sunlight. Avoid areas with too much shade.
• Pick the right foundation: Gravel, compacted soil, or concrete slabs all work well. A solid base helps with drainage and keeps the greenhouse stable.
• Think about ventilation: Install roof and side vents to let hot air out, especially in the summer. You might also need shade cloths or to leave doors open on hot days. In winter, a small heater helps keep things warm for sensitive plants.
• Water wisely: A drip irrigation system offers a consistent water supply without waste. You can also collect rainwater in barrels for an eco-friendly option.
• Plan your layout: Place tall plants in the back, use hanging baskets, and add shelves for herbs and small plants. It’ll help you get the most out of your space and keep air flowing.

Keeping Things in Tip-Top Shape

• Stay clean: Wipe down surfaces, clear away dead leaves, and clean pots and tools regularly to prevent disease.
• Inspect your structure: Check for cracks in the glass and loose parts in the frame. Fix small issues before they become big problems.
• Watch the climate inside: Use a thermometer and hygrometer to check temperature and humidity. Too much moisture causes mold; too little stresses plants.
• Rotate and refresh: Rotate your crops to keep pests away and add compost or organic matter to the soil every season for healthy growth.

Common Greenhouse Headaches and How to Handle Them

• Too much heat in summer: Make sure there’s good airflow, open those vents, and use shading techniques like blinds or whitewashing the glass.
• Heat loss in winter: Use water barrels or stone floors to absorb and release heat, and insulate with bubble wrap or horticultural fleece.
• Water troubles: Raised beds and proper drainage help avoid soggy soil. Keep an eye on how much water your plants are actually getting.
• Pest and disease management: Inspect your plants often. Pull out any that look sick, and use organic sprays or natural predators like ladybugs to keep pests in check.

Traditional vs. Modern Greenhouses: What’s the Difference?

• Hands-on vs. high-tech: Traditional greenhouses are all about doing things yourself. You control everything from airflow to watering. Modern greenhouses usually have automated systems to do the work for you.
• Cost: Traditional setups are much more budget-friendly. Modern versions are more expensive due to technology and materials.
• Experience: If you love getting your hands dirty and learning as you go, a traditional greenhouse gives you that rewarding, hands-on connection.

Thinking of Building Your Own? Here’s How to Start

1. Gather affordable materials: Repurpose old windows, reclaimed wood, or leftover construction supplies to save money.
2. Stick to simple shapes: Rectangular or A-frame greenhouses are easier to build and still give you plenty of space.
3. Use basic tools: A saw, hammer, drill, screws, and a level are usually enough to get the job done.
4. Plan your time: Depending on size and complexity, you can finish in a weekend or a few days.
5. Seal and insulate: Use caulk around windows and doors and add weather stripping to keep warmth in and drafts out.

Here are a few Options for you to enjoy

Greenhouse A:

• Adjustable Ventilation Window – The greenhouses for outdoors have good heat insulation and adequate ventilation, which can keep the green house cool in warm months. You can also prevent humidity through good ventilation. The maximum adjustment angle of the ventilation opening in our wood greenhouse is 45°. VEIKOU greenhouse is suitable for both cold and hot weather, you can enjoy your favorite gardening all year round.
• Sturdy Natural Cedar Frame – Our greenhouse is made of cedar wood, which is more stable and can be well protected from moisture. Because of the weight of the green house with triangle design and sturdy construction, there is no need for too many extra wind anchors. When wood is heated by the sun during the day, it will keep this heat at night, which will be beneficial to your energy consumption in the greenhouses, especially in winter.
• Multi-Layer Polycarbonate Panel – The green house comes with multi-layer polycarbonate panels, which can provide diffuse light, and shine light on your plants from all angles. Even on cloudy days, the inside of our polycarbonate greenhouse is very bright. Our polycarbonate panel has a 7%-25% higher thermal insulation effect than the equivalent glass, scratch resistance, and excellent impact strength. VEIKOU green houses for outside provide 4 seasons of protection for your plants.
• Easy to Assemble Design – The wooden greenhouse adopts an embedded panel installation method, which can greatly reduce installation time, and the installation manual for the greenhouse is detailed and clear. In addition, our walk-in greenhouse is equipped with high-quality accessories, such as exquisite door locks and reinforced hinges.
• Dimensions – Overall size：74″W x 143.4″D x 83.5″H. Door size:23.6″W x 68.9″H. Vent size:19.7″W x 19.7″D. The greenhouse is shipped in five boxes and may be delivered at different times. Please pay attention to this.

Greenhouse B:

• Good Ventilation Design – The greenhouses for outdoors have an adjustable roof vent and the maximum adjustment angle of the ventilation opening in our wood greenhouse is 45°, which will make the wooden greenhouse have good heat insulation and adequate ventilation, even keeping the green house cool in warm months and preventing humidity through good ventilation. VEIKOU greenhouse is suitable for both cold and hot weather, you can enjoy your favorite gardening all year round
• Sturdy Construction Frame – The 8x16ft greenhouse consists of natural cedar wood, which is more stable and sturdier, and can also effectively keep heat. When wood is heated by the sun during the day, it will keep this heat at night, which will be beneficial to your energy consumption in the greenhouses, especially in winter. Because of the weight of the green house, there is no need for too many extra wind anchors
• Multi-Layer Polycarbonate Panel – The green house comes with multi-layer polycarbonate panels, which can provide diffuse light, and shine light on your plants from all angles to make your plants grow well. Besides, our polycarbonate panel has a 7%-25% higher thermal insulation effect than the equivalent glass, scratch resistance, and excellent impact strength. The inside of our polycarbonate greenhouse is also bright even on cloudy days
• Inserted PC Panels Design – The wooden greenhouse adopts an inserted PC panel installation design, which can greatly reduce installation time. With triangle design and sturdy construction, the green house is more stable and sturdy, making it withstand various weather conditions. In addition, our walk-in greenhouse is equipped with high-quality accessories, such as exquisite door locks and reinforced hinges
• Dimensions – Overall size：96″W x 190.2″D x 90.6″H. Door size: 29.1″W x 71.4″H. Vent size: 21″W x 21.6″D. The greenhouse is shipped in 5 boxes and may be delivered at different times. Please pay attention to this. VEIKOU green houses for outside provide 4 seasons of protection for your plants

Greenhouse C:

• 15.7×7.5×7.4 FT Hobby Greenhouse & Sunroom: Recommended foundation size: 17×8.5 FT. 6mm Twin-wall translucent PC panels(UV Protection 99.99%)
• Walk-in Greenhouse for Better Ventilation: Keep both 2 swing doors (with door hook)and 4 four-level adjustable roof vents open can let in more fresh air while managing excess moisture for the backyard greenhouse.
• Solid Material & Foundation: Heavy duty greenhouse has a rust-resistant aluminum frame (1.5mm). 4 corner posts & 2 middle posts help bury the greenhouse deep in soil or concrete for extra stability. Wind Rating: 60 mph; Snow Load Capacity:20 psf
• Built-in Rainage Rain Collection Device: Garden Greenhouse update 4 corners have drainage holes and attached pipes to collect and drain water, convenient for connecting Rain Barrels and maximizing the use of water resources
• Installation Tip：3 DIY enthusiasts can erect this winter greenhouse kit in 15 hours. Please use a box to hold screws and small accessories in case of missing.

Greenhouse D:

• Double Adjustzble Roof: Different from others, the roofs of our outdoor polycarbonate walk-in greenhouse are all with adjustable poles for better ventilation, which can create an ideal growth environment for your plants. The 8’ x 14’ greenhouse has a large space that can accommodate enough plants and gardening tools, you can directly enjoy the fun of growing plant after assembly.
• Sturty Frame & Solid Foundation: The walk-in greenhouse is made of a powder-coated aluminum frame that resists rust and oxidation. The unique ground base design helps bury it deep in the soil to add extra stability, ensuring outdoor greenhouse durability and reliability throughout the seasons to come. The interior of the greenhouse is also stability and enable the greenhouse to resist severe weather.
• Heavy-duty Greenhouse for Outdoor Winter: The frame of our heavy-duty walk-in greenhouse kit is made of premium corrosion resistant and weather resistant powder-coated thickened aluminum in grey finish, which is rust-resistant and more stable to deal with all kinds of weather. The thickened polycarbonate panels with diffuse patterns can provide more warmth for the interior of plants to prevent frost, absorb more sunlight, and allow plants to thrive.
• Lockable Swing Door: Unlike other polycarbonate greenhouses with sliding door, we upgraded the door for a swing-out lockable design which makes it easier for you to walk into the greenhouse for daily use.And ensure the safety of your items. The internally tight closure triangular structure can effectively improve the stability of the outdoor greenhouse to prevent it from falling apart under the harsh environment.
• Dimensions: The overall size of greenhouse: 97.3’W x 165.4’D x 90.5’H. The size of door: 49.7” W x 79.5” H. The interior dimension of greenhouse: 92.8”W x 160.9”D.

Wrapping It All Up

Traditional greenhouses are a fantastic way to grow plants in a simple, sustainable, and satisfying way. They give you the freedom to grow what you want, when you want, no matter the weather. Whether you’re building your own or maintaining one already in your backyard, a traditional greenhouse can be a cozy, productive space that pays off in fresh food, beautiful flowers, and the joy of gardening all year round.

Key Takeaway: A traditional greenhouse gives you year-round growing power, protection from the elements, and a chance to grow plants that otherwise wouldn’t survive in your local climate—all without needing complex systems.  Traditional Greenhouses

FAQs

Can I use a traditional greenhouse in really hot places?

Absolutely. Just make sure it has proper ventilation and some shading to keep the temperature from getting too high.

Do I need a permit to build a greenhouse?

That depends on your local laws. Small greenhouses usually don’t need one, but it’s smart to check with your local building authority just to be sure.

Can I grow fruit trees in a traditional greenhouse?

Yes, as long as you stick with dwarf varieties and give them enough space and warmth.

What’s a good way to heat a traditional greenhouse in winter?

You can use electric or gas heaters, or go the passive route with things like water barrels that store heat during the day and release it at night.

How often should I fertilize greenhouse plants?

It varies by plant, but generally, feeding every 2–4 weeks with an organic fertilizer will keep them healthy and thriving.