Grow Tomatoes Year Round In A Glass Greenhouse

Building a greenhouse can be a costly exercise with much of the expense being determined not only by the materials but also by its size, and its intended use.

A glass greenhouse will allow the greatest amount of natural light onto the plants, but also allows the most heat loss during the colder months. Insulation can be provided for a glass greenhouse by placing a 4 mm thick piece of clear plastic on the inside of the glass. Allowing an air space between the glass and plastic will slow heat loss by about 20%.

The frame of a glass greenhouse is similar to that of any greenhouse, regardless of the covering. Whether it?s wood, metal or plastic, the basics of construction are the same. They are designed to sit on a foundation with a floor installed to make working in them easier, more comfortable and to better control the climate.

With a glass greenhouse you will need to think about the months when the weather is the hottest. If the temperature gets too high, it will damage plants and seedlings. The same will occur during the coldest months, especially in a uninsulated greenhouse. You will almost certainly need insulation if you want to grow tomatoes year round for example.

A heater is designed to keep your greenhouse at a constant temperature by use of a thermostat. Electric powered heaters are the most common as heaters using propane or heating oil require proper ventilation. Conversely, venting will be required during the hottest months to avoid ?cooking? the plants in high heat.

Another factor of a glass greenhouse is it should be facing east to west so that it may accumulate the greatest amount of sun during the winter months. Also consider the prevailing direction of the wind. If it is primarily from the west, you will want to have the door facing to the east to avoid a sudden burst of cold air on the plants when you enter your glass greenhouse.

There are roof vents available that require no electricity which is beneficial for a passive glass greenhouse not located near a power supply. As heat in the greenhouse builds up, the canister of the vent causes an arm to move, opening the vent. As the temperature drops, the vent will close.

The roof style of your glass greenhouse is another consideration as it should be slanted enough to avoid snow build-up and allow for proper run off of rain.

With a properly constructed greenhouse you’ll be able to grow tomatoes year round.