guest post by Anita Ginsburg

A greenhouse is going to provide your family with a constant supply of fresh produce, but building that type of structure can be a major undertaking. Well before you break ground, you will need to spend a little bit of time carefully planning out every step in this project.

Check Local Building Ordinances

Whenever you decide to build something on your property, you should always check your local laws and ordinances. Most municipalities have strict building codes, and you might need to get a permit for the greenhouse. While every city is slightly different, most require residents to get permits if they are building a permanent structure that is going to have water or power. You might also need a permit if you plan on pouring concrete or if the building is going to be close to your property line

Choose the Right Area

The location of your greenhouse is going to have a huge impact on its efficiency. For a traditional greenhouse, you want to be sure that it is going to get as much direct sunlight as possible throughout the day. If you live in a particularly cold and cloudy climate, then you might want to heat the greenhouse with geothermal energy. Geothermal heating systems are usually relatively easy to install as long as your frost line isn’t too deep.

Invest in High-Quality Materials

A greenhouse can be made from inexpensive materials, but one of those structures probably wouldn’t last for more than a few seasons. In order for your greenhouse to withstand the elements in the long term, you need to invest in high-quality building materials.

While you can use different metals, woods, or plastics to form the structure of the greenhouse, if you want your greenhouse to last, structural steel or a similar material will be best. It won’t rot like wood, and it won’t warp like many metals.

For the walls of your greenhouse, you have many options including glass, different plastics, and even fabric. Some argue that this is the most important part of the greenhouse because the material you use to cover the structure will affect how the light hits your plants. The material you choose will depend on your climate, plants, and sunlight.

Consider Your Heating and Cooling Options

Keeping your greenhouse at the perfect temperature throughout the year is going to require a little bit of work. A ventilation system is one of the most effective options for a greenhouse, and many gardeners use nothing more than a handful of vents and windows to regulate the temperature and humidity levels inside their greenhouse. You can also use fans and other electronic devices, but that will cost you extra money in the long run.

Once your greenhouse has been built, it will probably take at least a season or two before you can make the most out of it. Growing plants in a greenhouse is a unique and complicated task, and you will need to do some experimenting if you want to be as efficient as possible.

Anita Ginsburg  is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn't writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.