Wooden greenhouses are slightly more expensive than aluminium and plastic ones, but do offer more to experienced gardener. Aluminium and plastic greenhouses are a better choice for beginner before upgrading to a timber greenhouse.

Aluminium Greenhouses

A major advantage of aluminium greenhouses is that they are relatively cheap and maintenance free. They are best choice of greenhouse if your priority is low maintenance. However, you should be aware of advantages of other types of greenhouse. For example, with wooden greenhouses it is easy to fix extra shelves and hookes, inside and out. Aluminium is certainly easier to maintain than a wooden greenhouse, but care should be taken to keep all structural components as clean as possible to deter pests and disease.Aluminium greenhouses are certainly most popular at moment and part of attractiveness is flat pack packaging and (relatively easy) self assembly. This helps keep cost down and aluminium is value for money choice of greenhouse.

Before erecting an aluminium greenhouse, there are certain considerations. Firstly you should decide upon location of greenhouse. Somewhere easily accessible during bad weather would be good. Observe areas of your garden during sunny days to see which parts get most sunlight. Some protection from wind would be good, but not at expense of blocking out light. Also, be aware of any stray footballs from next door !

If you're after a value for money and low maintenance greenhouse then aluminium is a good choice. You may lose some of aesthetic qualities of a wooden greenhouse, but you do benefit from modern technology and design.

Heavy thatch layers (over ½ inch) hold both heat and moisture and provide fungus with a ready supply of nutrients. Thatch also impedes drainage and blocks airflow your lawn needs to thrive. Annual core aeration in spring is best way to control thatch buildup. You can also control thatch during growing season by maintaining your lawn at a 2 ½ to 3 inch height and cutting no more than ⅓ of height when you mow.

Mowing time is also a good time to check your lawn for signs of disease. “Fairy rings”, “frog-eyes”, brown patches and other irregularities may signify beginning of a problem. However, before you purchase a “remedy” it’s best to have an infected patch inspected. Dig and take samples to your extension agency or to a recognized lawn care professional.

Many strains of fungus quickly develop a resistance to best fungicides. Controlling active fungus is truly a case where “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Start your lawn disease prevention plan by planting only disease resistant grass hybrids whether beginning a new lawn or reseeding patches of an old one.