Greenhouse Supplies - How to plan your own greenhouse.

• Choosing your greenhouse
• Selecting your growing style
• What you're going to grow
  
• Lighting
• Supplies
• Costs

A 10x12 greenhouse gives you plenty of space to start smaller and gradually fill it to your desired growing needs. I prefer this size because it's a good medium size for growing. There's enough room to space plants if needed for beginners to feel organized and not so overwhelmed. By planning ahead you can estimate your operational costs. Because everyone's needs are different this hub is intended to provide the information needed to figure out what method, supplies and how much money you are going to need to get started. 

If you search 10x12 greenhouses you will find a variety of styles and prices. I think it is best to buy something suited for your needs and because some areas have harsh weather you will need to purchase your greenhouse accordingly. If you are looking for this size with a cheaper price tag then Harbor Freight is the way to go! I've priced several items this company has to offer and many times it will be the same brand you can buy at another store but at a fraction of the price. Of course you can choose any greenhouse you like and you may even choose to build your own! You can click on the previous text for a great instructional hub I found by Marye Audet.

Once you've selected or built your greenhouse you need to choose your growing style. A few ways to grow:

• Raised bed
• Hydroponics
• Aeroponics

• Maximize yield with minimum space
• Less water required than traditional growing
• Less use of pesticides and herbicides due to being enclosed
• Less weeds with a uniform structure
• Composting (optional) can cut down on garbage 
• High density

• No weeds
• No insect damage
• Higher densities
• Faster growth by 20-30%
• 100% Water, Germination and Fertilization
• Less plant stress

• Minimal amount of water compared to other methods
• Water and energy conservation
• No soil 
• Limited disease transmission (each spray of mist is sterile) 
• Nutrient Uptake 
• Increased Air Exposure

Planning your garden is the key to success! Take into consideration the time of year, how long your plants need to grow before harvest and how many plants you'll be growing. You can also check out planting guides. By following these guidelines you can insure a prosperous selection.  

• Fluorescent Lighting - these lights used to be big & bulky to be of much use for growing but CFL and T5 Full Spectrum fluorescent lights have changed that. It's recommended that these lights be placed only a few feet from what you are growing.
• Incandescent - are the least expensive but also the least effective when growing. There are newer types of incandescent that are more efficient than the regular lights.
• LED - newer lighting options. They are the most efficient and coolest running grow lights.
• HID (High Intensity Discharge) - has 2 types

1. Metal Halide (MH) - is best light source if there is no natural sunlight. It's abundant in the blue spectrum which is great when growing things like leafy greens and staying compact.

2. High Pressure Sodium (HPS) - emit an orange/red glow triggers plant hormones to release. HPS are best for supplemental or secondary lighting (used along with natural sunlight) Great flowering light and economical.

You can come up with a cost estimation by planning the type of growing style you are going to use. Once you choose your style, you will need to include costs for things that apply to that particular style. For instance, if you choose the Hydroponic method you will need to list costs for the containers you are using (tools if making the containers at home), the aeration supplies like a pump and tubing, as well as the gravel you will need to surround your plant. Once you have all of these costs you can add them up and decide your budget for planting. 

I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed researching this subject! If you have any questions or suggestions you can send me a message or post it in a comment and I will check them out and see what I can do.