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Octagonal Greenhouse
More and more gardeners are looking to add a greenhouse to their property to extend their growing season. Greenhouses can pay for themselves in increased plant and flower production by allowing you the space and environment to grow plants from seed, rather than purchasing seedling plants from suppliers. They also allow you to expand your growing season so you can enjoy the low cost benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables for a longer time period, even up to year round. The key is finding the right greenhouse to fit your needs.
Greenhouses come in many shapes and sizes. One of the most interesting is the octagonal greenhouse. Octagonal greenhouses are offered by a variety of suppliers. They are the most aesthetically pleasing greenhouse design. They provide an old world, Victorian appearance and are not only functional, but double as a dramatic landscape feature. There is no need to tuck an octagonal greenhouse away on the back of your property where no one can see it – it can and will be the star of the show.
However, the flair of the octagon greenhouse comes with a price. The circular shape of the octagonal greenhouse contains a design problem. Unlike rectangular greenhouses, air circulation is a problem in octagonal greenhouses. All the angles and corners tend to trap pockets of air and cause hot spots. You can combat this by adding additional ventilation in the sides or roof of the octagonal greenhouse. You can also add a mechanical fan system to push air into the hot spots created by the design. These additional costs can add up quickly.
That can be a real problem because octagon greenhouse kits are more expensive than rectangular freestanding or lean-to kits. Because of all the angles, you have more pieces required for the support systems and panels. Since the manufacturer has to make more pieces, and do more cutting, the costs are correspondingly higher. Furthermore, in octagonal greenhouses, you tend to have dead space in corners because your shelving and planting tables are rectangular. They don’t fit the curves of the octagon shape. Your only other option is to purchase curved shelving and planting benches which, again, cost more than their rectangular brothers.
Greenhouses are a great addition to your property if you are looking to extend your growing season. An octagonal greenhouse combines functionality and beauty to provide a dramatic focal point. It is, however, not the most practical option. You will end up spending quite a bit more per square foot of growing space if you select an octagon design. If you have the financial flexibility to do so, go for it! But for the best bang for your buck, go with one of the more traditional rectangular designs.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about greenhouse gardening and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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