Choosing a Greenhouse Foundation
When building a greenhouse, the foundation where the structure will sit should be considered carefully as it can affect the growth, health and maintenance of your plants.
Concrete is the most certain choice. It is solid and can hold the weight of a heavier greenhouse structure. Concrete absorbs moisture every time you water your plants or clean the floor. This is important when regulating the humidity inside. Concrete acts as a thermal mass, it can absorb, store, and release heat slowly overtime, helping your heating system in regulating the temperature of your greenhouse. But there are drawbacks. Concrete is only good if you want a permanent structure. If you want to move your greenhouse to get sunlight as seasons change, this will not do. Concrete requires a little maintenance since it is porous and can attract weed, bacteria, and fungi to take hold and grow. Plus, expansion may be a little harder if your existing greenhouse is cemented on the ground.
Soil or dirt foundation for your greenhouse is a good choice if you want to grow your plants right off the ground. Just make sure that you provide proper drainage so that your soil is fertile for your plants and vegetables to grow. Drainage is important to draw excess water out and keep the soil from turning into mud. Soil is a good moisture absorber too, helping you regulate humidity inside the greenhouse. If you live in a colder climate and choose soil as foundation, insulate the border of your greenhouse with thick insulation materials at least two feet deep. This keeps the cold air, pests, and rodents out.
If you going to choose wood as your foundation, limit your options to decay-resistant cypress, redwood, and cedar. The site should be first leveled and layered with gravel and sand for drainage before laying down your choice of wood.
Synthetic materials are lightweight, easy to install, easy to replace, and readily available in the market. This is best suited as flooring for portable and small greenhouses. However, PVC and plastics do not absorb water so it needs to be cleaned and dried regularly. They can also break or crack, especially if exposed to excessive weight overtime.
The choice of greenhouse foundation is still up to you and everything boils down to your requirement and need. Always remember, therefore, to consider the pros and cons of each before deciding which foundation to use.
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