Alright, let’s talk about them freestanding greenhouses, you know, the ones standing all by their lonesome. Folks say they’re great and all, but let me tell ya, there’s some things you gotta think about before you go and get yourself one.
First off, these things, they ain’t cheap to keep warm. See, they’re out there in the open, all four sides facing the wind and the cold. That means you’re gonna be burning a whole lot more fuel or electricity, whatever you use, to keep them plants toasty in the winter. Heating costs, that’s a big one, a real big one. It’s like tryin’ ta heat a barn with a tea candle, you know?
And then there’s the getting to it part. You gotta go outside, every single time, rain or shine, snow or sleet, to get to your plants. Not like them lean-to greenhouses stuck onto the house, where you can just walk right in from the kitchen. This here, it’s a hike, especially when you’re old and your bones ache somethin’ fierce. Convenience, or lack thereof, that’s another thing to chew on.
Now, don’t get me wrong, them greenhouses do a good job of keepin’ the bugs and the bad weather off your plants. That’s true enough. And you can use ’em all year round, growin’ stuff even when the ground outside is frozen solid. That’s a good thing, no doubt about it.
- But the heat loss, that’s a killer. You gotta insulate, especially on the north side, where that cold wind just keeps on blowin’. Otherwise, you’re just throwin’ money out the window, or rather, through the greenhouse walls.
- And speaking of walls, all four of ’em are just out there, taking the brunt of whatever the weather throws at ’em. That’s why they lose heat so bad. Your house, at least it’s got some protection, you know, from the other houses around it maybe, or the trees. But the greenhouse? Nothin’. Just the wind and the cold.
Some folks, they like them freestanding greenhouses because they can put ‘em anywhere they want in the yard. That’s true, I guess. But what good is that if you can’t afford to heat the darn thing? Or if you gotta trudge through a foot of snow just to check on your tomatoes? Makes no sense to me, no sense at all.
So, you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ a greenhouse, huh? Well, think long and hard about this freestanding business. It ain’t all sunshine and roses, let me tell ya. There’s advantages to it, sure, bein’ able to put it anywhere and such, but them disadvantages, they’re somethin’ to worry about. It’s like buyin’ a fancy car that you can’t afford the gas for. Just sits there, lookin’ pretty, but doin’ you no good. Think about the costs, the extra work, the exposure to the elements. Sometimes, simpler is better, you know?
Controlled environment, that’s what they say. And it’s true, you can control the temperature and the water and all that. But controlling the cost, that’s another story. And that story, it ain’t always a happy one with these freestanding types. So, do your homework, talk to folks who got ‘em, and see if it’s really worth the trouble. Don’t just jump into it blind. That’s what I always say.
In the end, it’s your money and your plants. But if you ask me, I’d stick with somethin’ a little less…exposed. Somethin’ that ain’t gonna break the bank tryin’ to keep it warm. But that’s just me, an old woman who’s seen a thing or two in her time. You young folks, you do what you think is best.
I ain’t tellin’ ya what to do, just givin’ ya somethin’ to chew on. That’s all. A freestanding greenhouse… sounds fancy, but sometimes fancy just means more trouble than it’s worth.
Tags: [Freestanding Greenhouses, Greenhouse Disadvantages, Heating Costs, Greenhouse Efficiency, Plant Protection, Gardening, Year-Round Growing, Greenhouse Location, Energy Efficiency, Home Gardening]
