Even the simplest greenhouse can be expensive and ready made ones are seldom just what we want.
A ready made greenhouse may not fit our plot or may not provide quite enough space for what we plan to grow.
Constructing your own greenhouse from a kit may the best option for many gardeners.
So if you are working to a tight budget or dream of a custom designed greenhouse a kit may be just the thing you need.
The level of skill involved is within the range of most of us.
If you can carry out simple tasks around the home and follow basic instructions then you can probably assemble a greenhouse from a kit.
First of all you must think about what you want from your greenhouse.
How must it look? If you want an elegant design that is going to look good, then one of the redwood greenhouse kits may the thing for you.
Take a look at the Sunshine range.
These are made from solid redwood frames with polycarbonate glazing.
This type of greenhouse kit is easy to assemble because the glazing is built into the frame, so you have no cutting to do.
Cutting glass is a tricky business.
Fitting glass into a frame is even more difficult and you may have many broken panes before you succeed in getting a good fit.
Polycarbonate is also safe.
This is especially important when there are children about.
Redwood greenhouse kits are good choice.
The drawback is their cost.
They range from $1000 to $4000.
If budget is an important consideration for you take a look at aluminum framed greenhouse kits.
These range in price from $2,500 to £30,000.
At the lower end of the range you may find a design that suits your needs.
They are less elegant than the redwood greenhouse kits but Cross Country range are very well designed and will provide years of gardening service.
Priced at $1000 to $2000 there is the Hobby Gardener range of greenhouse kits.
These have "snaplass" panels made of polycarbonate.
They provide a good height that makes working in them easy and plenty of space for the plants.
Their hinged door and vent system allow the gardener to create an ideal microclimate inside the greenhouse.
In terms of features such as doors and venting aluminium and readwood kits are comparable.
They are engineered to high standards.
An aluminium frame greenhouse will never look as beautiful as a redwood one but they have the advantage that the frame needs no maintenance.
Once an aluminium greenhouse is built that is all you have to do.
from the the gardener's point of view they are trouble free.
Also good for those with limited budgets is the Juliana range of greenhouse kits.
These are made of aluminum frames and have twin wall polycarbonate glazing.
They start as low as $65 making them an ideal choice for the price conscious.
For those on a really tight budget the Little Greenhouse range of kits may be the ideal option.
These greenhouse kits are covered with four millimeter polyethylene sheeting on a PVC frame.
They are less durable than the types of greenhouse kits already discussed but they are more economical and good for the beginner.
If you are not yet sure if you want to make a big investment of time and money then a Little Greenhouse kit may be a good starting point.
Perhaps you do not intend to stay long at your present home and do not want to commit to an expensive structure.
They are even useful if you already have a more permanent greenhouse but want that extra bit of space.
This kind of greenhouse kit may be the ideal one for all kinds of reasons.
If you need to cover a large area and the appearance of the structure is not important to you then you could try a portable greenhouse.
These are made of a steel frame covered with plastic sheeting.
You can get these for as little as $300.
They look like the commercial polytunnels they are but the hobby gardener can put them to good use.
Inside you can create a tropical paradise if you use a double layer of polythene.
Polythene is always a cheap option for a greenhouse kit.
But is does not have the durability of polycarbonate or the light transmission properties.
A polythene cover will need to be changed every year or so.
Polycarbonate will last for years.
In addition twin walled polycarbonate reduces heating costs because it provides insulation and endures less heat loss to the outside environment.