Historically greenhouses have been made from glass; however, with new technologies polycarbonate has become a popular alternative. Polycarbonate is available in single, double and triple layers, the single layer is relatively inexpensive but has a tendency to blow away in high winds, double and triple polycarbonate sheets can be expensive, these are also more likely to become scratched, however, polycarbonate greenhouses are an excellent choice in place of glass.

To fully utilise a greenhouse it needs to be easy to move around in, staging or benching should be at a comfortable working height, with the back being easy to reach. The position of the greenhouse needs to be somewhere easy to get to and which receives the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day and not shaded by overhanging trees.

Greenhouses will need to be heated during the winter months. There are many different heating options available from garden centres. A supply of electricity in the greenhouse will not only enable electric heaters to be used but can also provide the power for automatic ventilation and soil warming. Butane gas or paraffin heaters are excellent alternative form s of heating if there is no electricity supply; however, paraffin heaters can produce a lot of condensation and unless the wick is kept trimmed will smoke. Paraffin heaters should always be refilled outside of the greenhouse as any spilt paraffin will contaminate the soil and the fumes can be very harmful. The greenhouse should be kept at approximately 46 degrees Fahrenheit to grow plants during the winter, tropical plants will need a higher temperature.

Plants for greenhouse gardening will also require ventilation. Ready built greenhouses can with opening vents in the roof to release heat, there are also automatically controlled vents which can be fitted, the advantage of these is that the gardener does not have to be ‘on site’ all day to open and close vents as the temperature alters.

Shading will be needed when the sun is very strong otherwise leaves and fruit be scorched. Shading can be provided by covering the inside or the outside of the greenhouse or the south side of the greenhouse which has the most sun by cloths, netting or roller blinds which can be easily taken on and off or rolled up on dull days. White ‘paint on’ shading can be used on the outside of the greenhouse; however, this method of shading will reduce the light inside the greenhouse throughout the growing season.

One of the key factors in greenhouse gardening is maintaining hygiene, otherwise the plants and soils will become contaminated and disease in the greenhouse usually means unsuccessful and inedible crops.