Creating a winter garden in the house with your own hands. Home greenhouse: how to equip your own hands Making and caring for a winter garden

If you have decided to create a winter garden in a private house, then we congratulate you! Whether you live in a village or a big city, you will fill your life with joyful and pleasant moments. Fill your winter garden with exotic plants, make it an additional living room - at any time of the year you will be in harmony with nature. Whether you're hiring builders or building your own winter garden, we've got some good tips for you.

Natural stone walls add cosiness to the winter garden

Winter garden glazing

The key point in creating a winter garden is, of course, glazing. Glass must be insulated. When designing a roof, its slope plays an important role. Calculate how the sun's rays fall in winter: the roof should be at right angles to them. Then in the winter you will be able to collect all solar heat, and in summer - to hide from the scorching sun. All year round, your garden will be maintained at an optimal, comfortable temperature.

Add a couple of fresh accents with furniture

Durability

Despite the fact that we are talking First of all, about the southern regions with mild winters, nevertheless, pay attention to a very important point: cheap materials are not even considered here! Glass and moving mechanisms must be of the highest quality if you want to spend time in your conservatory all year round. Regarding the choice of materials, we recommend contacting our partners: oknafdo.ru.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast or read a wonderful book in this conservatory

Why not celebrate the New Year in the winter garden?

Decoration of the winter garden

Of course, the winter garden can be used to store plants in the winter. You can also make a greenhouse out of it, where you can grow your own vegetables all year round. However, let's consider the option where the interior of the winter garden resembles a living room where you can gather with the whole family, enjoy nature and fresh air at any time of the year and in any weather. In the first place - comfort and coziness! Use a convenient upholstered furniture or beautiful rattan garden furniture. Set up a comfortable table and don't forget the lamps. Thus, sockets will also come in handy for you.
Plants, without a doubt, make up the soul of the winter garden. Fill the room with greenery. The very embodiment of comfort, round full flowering plants, your winter garden will become an oasis where you can fill up with strength for new achievements!

Do you think that the vine is an exclusively summer plant? By no means!

Wonderful idea: dining in the winter garden

Glazed terrace as a winter garden

If you already have a wonderful veranda or terrace where you like to spend time in good weather, then why not glaze it? A small family does not need a large winter garden, a glazed veranda is enough - a calm corner with fresh air, where you can spend winter evenings.

Winter garden with protection from the scorching sun

We publish for you photos of completely different, but, without a doubt, the best winter gardens and greenhouses.

Classic elegance in dark brown

House with attached glass porch

Lounge style winter garden

Greenhouse - green oasis

Large winter garden in colonial style

Little space? No problem!

Even the smallest greenhouse is not only a place of relaxation where you can enjoy the beauty of nature, but also the pride of any owner who is more or less interested in gardening and plant breeding. In view of this, every gardener, whether amateur or professional, dreams of his own, albeit a small greenhouse, which will allow him to do his favorite thing all year round and delight himself and his loved ones with a home oasis. The idea of ​​​​arranging a greenhouse in an apartment seems especially relevant on a hot summer day, when sitting all day in dusty office spaces, you dream of a breath of fresh air and a place where you can enjoy not only the smell of freshness, but also the brightness of lush greenery. In the cold season, in the middle lane, this desire becomes practically impossible, and in this regard, we suggest that you start arranging your own home greenhouse in your backyard, in a suburban or just private household, and even in an apartment. How? Read on.

Greenhouse at home: a dream that can become a reality

AT modern world, in conditions of mass extermination and pollution of wildlife, a home greenhouse is one of the last chances to enjoy the beauty and wonderful smell of fresh greenery. In this regard, the cherished dream of many owners-lovers of wildlife is the arrangement of a greenhouse in a private house, apartment or, if the territory allows, residents of countryside areas have the opportunity to organize a corner of wildlife on the territory of a suburban area, that is, to equip it in the form of a separate room next to with the house.

The greenhouse of the house is a separate glazed room, specially equipped for the maintenance of evergreen exotic plants that need to provide them with specialized climatic conditions. Plants cultivated in greenhouses are so whimsical that even in summer, when the temperature regime for them is close to optimal, exotic flowers and shrubs are not able to withstand, let alone grow successfully in the unnatural northern climate, de natural conditions are far from favorable for them. In this regard, premises are specially equipped for them, where favorable conditions are created for their growth and reproduction, namely, a high level of illumination, abundant humidity and high temperature. environment. They are called greenhouses.

greenhouse photo

Differences between greenhouses and greenhouses

A greenhouse is a room designed for year-round cultivation of evergreen southern plants that do not grow in the middle zone. Such plants include citrus fruits, southern palms, orchids and ficuses, which conquered the inhabitants of cold latitudes with their exotic romance. Since these plants are extremely demanding on microclimatic parameters, this necessitates precise compliance with both humidity and temperature parameters. Based on this, several varieties of greenhouses are distinguished, which must be classified according to temperature conditions:

• Warm greenhouses, in which the temperature is maintained at 25-28 degrees;
• Semi-warm greenhouses, the optimal temperature regime in which does not exceed 18-22 degrees;
• Cold greenhouses, a less common option, with temperatures ranging from 1 to 8 degrees.

Building a greenhouse: choosing the right place

Choosing a suitable place for arranging a greenhouse is one of the first, and at the same time, an important stage in planning your greenhouse, on which further construction activities depend. If your home is currently only at the planning stage, then consider yourself lucky, as you have the opportunity to pre-select the most suitable place for the future corner of wildlife. This will greatly facilitate further work and in the future will allow you to install in the greenhouse big windows south oriented.

If you live in a standard city apartment, then you probably have a small amount options for choosing a room for the construction of a greenhouse. In your case, it is better to allocate a separate room for the greenhouse and give preference to a glazed loggia or balcony. Experts believe that you are more fortunate if you live in the countryside and have the opportunity to allocate a greenhouse for the arrangement and install a free-standing frame structure, the location of which also has its own nuances. The place of further construction of the frame structure should be as lit as possible and as little as possible exposed to strong winds.

The durability and performance characteristics of the structure allocated for the greenhouse are also important parameters that must be taken into account during the construction of the structure. The main guarantee of the durability of the structure is a solid foundation, therefore, for arranging a durable and no less comfortable greenhouse, therefore, experts recommend giving preference strip foundation made of concrete or stone. The depth of the foundation should reach a mark that determines the level of maximum soil freezing in the most severe winters, which in one way or another contributes to the formation of an optimal microclimate in the greenhouse. In the middle lane, the depth of the foundation in most cases does not exceed 80 cm. If you prefer concrete, you need to equip it in time drainage system outflow of moisture, as in case of its excessive accumulation, the concrete will become slippery. We must not forget about insulation: polystyrene plates are ideal as a heater, which will help retain heat in the lower sections of the foundation. To prevent the accumulation of moisture on the floor, it is covered with gravel or small pebbles, providing the most efficient outflow of moisture.

The choice of material for the frame and the sheathing of the structure

The material for the manufacture of the frame must have characteristics that allow it to withstand the effects of aggressive external factors, including winds, without losing their original performance and be resistant to deformation. The choice of material from which the frame will be made depends on the material chosen for the sheathing, since its severity has a direct effect on the stability of the supporting frame. It follows from this that the stronger and heavier the greenhouse sheathing, the more stable the frame structure should be. In the manufacture of a greenhouse, deformation-resistant materials are considered to be aluminum, galvanized steel or PVC, the frame of which will meet all the specified requirements. Wood for making a frame is considered less than good option, as wooden structure prone to decay and damage by insects, which means that it has a shorter service life and needs constant care.

The sheathing of the structure is no less important than the arrangement of the frame, since it is the material chosen for the sheathing that determines the subsequent cost of maintaining the greenhouse, including the costs of heating, electricity and repair of the structure. For sheathing the frame, materials with high opacity are suitable, which will protect plants from the scorching sun, and at the same time the necessary level of light scattering, the need for which is due to the high need for plants in lighting. No less important are the thermal insulation properties of the material, which determine subsequent costs. Currently, glass is used to sheath the frame (the frame must have sufficient strength), plastic windows and cellular polycarbonate, which has the necessary lightness and transparency.

greenhouse video

Creating a microclimate in the greenhouse: heating, ventilation, lighting

Heating

Regardless of the time of year, ideally the temperature in the greenhouse should be at a constant level. For plants growing in the Mediterranean, it should be at least 10 degrees, while for equatorial plants it is at least 25 degrees. And in the event that you heat the apartment with a water system, in order to achieve optimum temperature in the greenhouse it will be enough to organize a constant flow of air into the room through the organization right system ventilation.

In most cases, the arrangement of heating in a greenhouse involves the installation of gas, electric, and gasoline boilers, each of which has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of electric boilers is that there is no need to equip an additional ventilation system, however, in the event of an emergency power outage during the cold season, the plants may die. In this regard, experts recommend choosing a combined heating system, which provides for the failure of one system, the inclusion of another. Installation heating equipment can be carried out in a separate technical room, and if the greenhouse is part of a dwelling or located in an adjoining building, then a home heating system can be installed in the greenhouse.

Now it is necessary to say a few words about the windows in the greenhouse. They are not only a source of light, but also a fundamental system for saving heat accumulated in a greenhouse. In view of this, the glazing of windows should be either double or insulated, which will create an obstacle to the penetration of cold air into the greenhouse. In addition, it is necessary to take care of the insulation of the walls, for which mineral wool boards are best suited that meet all the requirements for insulation, as well as the sealing of joints balcony structures. And one more important point, which beginner gardeners need to remember, is the regulation of temperature, carried out with the help of ventilation and timely opening of the windows.

Ventilation

Another important microclimatic indicator of the internal environment of the greenhouse, which also has a significant impact on the vital activity of whimsical exotic plants. An indicator of the optimal level of ventilation in the greenhouse is the exchange of air from 6 to 10 times per hour. AT winter time, characterized by the absence of severe frosts, this level of air exchange is achieved through the organization natural ventilation, which is ensured by frequent ventilation through open windows and doors. However very coldy or the scorching sun in summer necessitate the organization supply and exhaust ventilation, with the help of which there will be an adjustable air exchange.

Lighting

Considering that natural light is one of the main conditions for the organization of a greenhouse and the existence of plants in general, it is necessary to choose a well-lit room or balcony oriented to the east, west or southwest for arranging the greenhouse.

If you are setting up a greenhouse at home, its windows should be clean and free from heavy curtains. Since in winter the plants suffer from a lack of light, and in summer from excessive insolation, the organization of the greenhouse provides for the arrangement of both additional illumination and dimming, which will be handled by blinds or curtains on the windows. For additional illumination, it is enough to install a high-pressure gas discharge lamp in the room.

If you equip a greenhouse on a standard balcony of 6 sq. meters, to ensure the normal life of plants in your winter greenhouse, one gas discharge lamp with a power of 400 W and 2 metal halide lamps with a power of 250 W each will be enough.

Air humidity

No less important is another mandatory condition for keeping plants in a greenhouse, which consists in maintaining the optimal level of humidity in the room. For exotic plants, it is at least 70-80%. Since in summer time humidity in the apartment is about 50%, and in winter it is even less, it is necessary to constantly humidify the air in the room. The required level of humidity in the winter greenhouse is achieved by humidifying the air by spraying with spray guns, installing indoor aquariums and trays filled with moistened expanded clay, and other containers filled with water. In order to prevent the formation of condensation on windows and walls in the event of excessive humidity, it is necessary to ventilate the room in time.

Plant selection and irrigation arrangement

Like any other plant cultivation facility, a greenhouse needs irrigation. If you have run water pipes into the premises, you can water manually, however, adherents of innovative technologies are likely to prefer modern automated drip irrigation systems that will contribute to the constant irrigation of the land and thereby ensure regular and timely delivery of water to the root system of plants and the nutrients they need. Cutting-edge drip irrigation systems, in addition to the above features, are equipped with timers and motion sensors, the presence of which allows you to adjust the time and amount of water supply depending on the needs of plants.

As for the choice of plants for the greenhouse, which you can build with your own hands, here, of course, you can safely give free rein to your imagination. However, there are some nuances here as well. It is necessary to select plants for the greenhouse in such a way that the varieties growing in the greenhouse at a certain point in time need similar care and have approximately the same needs for humidity, light levels and the same temperature. Taking into account the average temperature in the greenhouse in winter, which is 17-18 degrees, flower growers recommend choosing hibiscus, palm trees, monstera and orchids for the winter greenhouse, and if the average temperature in your winter garden is significantly lower and does not exceed 5-11 degrees, you have the opportunity to grow olive and citrus trees.

If the greenhouse is in the apartment ...

If you live in city apartments and own a spacious glazed loggia, the question is: “How to make a greenhouse?” it is greatly simplified for you, since with the onset of the first sunny days, when the loggia begins to warm up, you can arrange a real green paradise there by placing some green specimens that are especially resistant to cold there.

The main thing is that the temperature on the loggia reaches positive values. Paying attention to which side the loggia is oriented to and how many hours a day sunlight hits it, you will greatly simplify and systematize the choice of plants for your home greenhouse. For example, if the loggia faces south, you can place cacti and phloxes there, while coniferous crops, forget-me-nots and tobacco will feel more favorable on the north side.

Topical paradise can be arranged not only on the loggia, but also in the apartment. You can achieve it different ways, highlighting a separate corner for vegetation or even placing it throughout the entire apartment. For example, climbing plants will perfectly cope with the role of "live" drapery for unsightly corners. By choosing a fern for these purposes, you will not only turn your apartment into a paradise, but also make sure that the greenhouse is not only beautiful, but also easy. Ivy has no less bright decorative characteristics, which grow rapidly, giving the dwelling a cozy look.

If you are the owner of a multi-room apartment, without prejudice to yourself and your family, you can allocate a separate room for the arrangement of the greenhouse, where you can breathe in the healing air of plants, relax after a hard day or do yoga.

To do this, it is necessary to free the room as much as possible from unnecessary items and bulky furniture, giving preference to light and maximally decorative furniture made of natural rattan. The same requirements apply to the arrangement of a greenhouse in an apartment as to a greenhouse located in a separate frame room. In a home greenhouse, it is necessary to create the same microclimatic conditions as in a separate winter garden. In addition to technical requirements, pay attention decorative design greenhouses in the apartment.

Purchase special shelving, support structures and grids from the flower shop for climbing plants and decorate the walls with flowers, and to give your greenhouse a special flavor, place indoors a large number of clay pots and flowerpots, in which ornamental vegetation can also be planted.

Residents of large cities increasingly feel the need to communicate with wildlife, they prefer to devote weekends, especially in the warm season, to trips to the park or forest, each family tries to acquire country house, or at least garden plot. But in winter or late autumn, nature trips are often canceled due to bad weather. But if you wish, you can create a green corner, or even a whole greenhouse, in your own apartment. If earlier a winter garden was created exclusively in private homes, today, using the ideas of designers, you can create a green oasis in a typical city apartment with your own hands. Of course, the question requires determining a suitable place, lighting and heating options, and careful selection of plant varieties.

Home greenhouse - how to choose a place to create it

Of course, in an ordinary city apartment it is quite difficult to find enough space to organize a winter garden. Usually the choice falls on glazed loggias or balconies, a room with a bay window can be considered an ideal option, unless, of course, there is one in the apartment.

Balcony room or loggia will need to be prepared as follows:

• clean up unwanted items
• insulate the ceiling, walls, floor,
• come up with an original interior decoration for walls
• decide on the general style of the flower greenhouse.

If you do all the work with your own hands, then the preparation stage will not be very costly.

The allotted area should be properly zoned:

• make a place to rest
• provide for the possibility of moving around the balcony,
• Leave room for plants.

To place the plants, you can use any surface - window sills, shelves attached to the walls, shelving, you can attach flowerpots with plants to the ceiling. The greenhouse of flowers should be functional and compact. Since plants require a certain humidity, degree of illumination and temperature for normal development, it will be necessary to create a certain ecosystem in their habitat.

You should also make sure that there are no drafts and the tightness of the room. As wall decoration, you can use any suitable materials, the floor is best laid out ceramic tiles or other material that is not threatened by destruction from high humidity- because the plants will be constantly watered and sprayed.

Heating

Before you make a greenhouse, you should consider the issue of its heating. There are many options for the heating system, the choice will be determined rather by the willingness to spend this or that amount of money. The most expensive, but effective option is the installation of a warm floor, the installation of a split system or a conventional oil cooler will be less expensive. We should not forget that in severe frosts, the split system may not be efficient enough, and the constant operation of the radiator will lead to an increase in electricity costs. Experts consider the most the best option installation of a warm floor, even with a relatively expensive initial cost.

Heaters should be located near the coldest wall or near a window.

When installing double-glazed windows, installing effective thermal insulation and a high-quality heating system, it is possible to ensure that the temperature in the room under any weather conditions will exceed +15 C, which is quite enough for growing tropical plants.

A thermometer should be installed on the balcony. Decreasing the temperature to 0 C is an alarm signal. Many of the plants will not be able to withstand such temperatures for a long time. It will be necessary to organize additional heating or temporarily move plants to a warmer room. It is also impossible to allow a sharp temperature drop.

It will definitely be necessary to carry out electrical wiring on the balcony - with a short daylight hours, the organization of a normal light regime will be required. In order for the plant to receive rays, the length of which contributes to its development and flowering as much as possible, it is best to install fluorescent, LED or special phyto-lamps. Lighting should be at a proper distance from the plants themselves. If you do not have your own experience in installing electrical wiring, then it is better to entrust this stage of work to a specialist.

If the balcony is located on the south side of the house, then it will be necessary to provide for the possibility of installing blinds - too bright sun can harm plants. It should also be borne in mind that some plants do not like bright light at all - they can be placed further away.

Flower greenhouse - how to ensure optimal humidity

The optimal humidity level for flower growth is around 70%. But the use of heating appliances in winter or extreme heat in summer lead to a significant decrease in it. Therefore, when planning the interior, it is necessary to provide a place for placing at least small containers with water. Daily spraying of moisture-loving plants is recommended. Water mist will help increase humidity and wash dust off the leaves, thereby enhancing the process of photosynthesis and increasing the percentage of oxygen in the air that fills the apartment. You can also use salt lamps - sea ​​air beneficial to both humans and plants.

How to divide the territory of a small room into functional zones

Of course, a small balcony can be divided into very tiny zones, however, with proper planning, plant care and relaxation in the greenhouse can be quite comfortable. The width of the passage along the balcony can be from 40 to 60 cm. At the same time, an unobstructed approach to each flower, to windows and doors should be ensured. The size of the recreation area will depend on the dimensions of the loggia or balcony, if space permits, you can install a small sofa or chair, it is possible to use folding furniture. It’s a good idea to place a miniature coffee table, several closed shelves or a cabinet for storing plant care products in this area.

DIY flower greenhouse - we take the choice of plants seriously

A small area of ​​a home winter garden does not mean at all that a strictly limited number of plants can be placed in it. With skillful selection and the correct arrangement of containers with flowers, you can create a cozy atmosphere of a green oasis.

As the main object of the composition, you can use a larger plant - ficus, palm, yucca, dracaena, pandanus, lemon tree. A container with it is placed on the floor, smaller objects are placed around it, while it is advisable to choose flowers that match the outlines of the leaves, their dimensions or shade. The nearby spurges, cyperus, calathea, and money tree look good. One plant should not be allowed to overlap another, each of them should receive a sufficient amount of light.

If hydrangea, rose, azalea, orchid are used in the composition, it is better to place them closer to the source of natural light.

Planted in hanging pots will develop normally. ampelous plants such as vines, tradescantia, chlorophytum, polyanthus jasmine, gloriosa.

A small beautifully designed artificial pond, possibly with a waterfall or a fountain, will give a special charm to the greenhouse. It will help humidify the air and bring a sense of dynamism to the greenery of the interior.

Minimalists can limit their choices to succulents, cacti, and agaves. But the choice of any of the species involves the creation of conditions corresponding to each flower, bush or tree.

Flower greenhouse at home - how to properly care for plants

When organizing a winter garden, one should be aware that in order to maintain its attractiveness, constant monitoring and care will be required. Signs of carelessness of the owners or improper care will be:

• wilting or yellowing of the leaves,
• falling buds,
• insufficiently intensive flowering for this season.

Ongoing care will include:

• spraying and watering plants,
• removing dust from leaves
• humidity and light intensity adjustment,
• temperature adjustment,
• fertilizing and loosening the soil.

All remains of plants affected by rot or disease should be carefully removed from the pots. At least once a season, the top layer of soil should be removed, replacing it with a fresh mixture, which includes a compost mixture or manure.

But all the time and energy spent will pay off with interest - it's hard to imagine something more pleasant than morning tea or a romantic dinner in a beautiful winter garden, created by yourself.

If in the greenhouse most plants do not like bright sunlight, then in summer the balcony will need to be shaded with curtains made of translucent fabric, a canopy, and blinds. You should also give preference to drought-resistant, light-loving specimens.

On the balcony, located on the north or west side of the house, it is better to plant decorative leafy plants.

It is desirable for one composition to choose flowers with similar requirements for temperature and humidity conditions.

Evergreen plants should be chosen for planting in the winter greenhouse. They will maintain the decorative composition throughout the year. Seasonal flowers are best planted in window boxes.

Be careful with poisonous indoor plants and those that can cause allergies, especially if there are small children in the family.

If plants are planted in containers, then stunted ones should be planted in the center, and curly plants should be planted along the edges.

A vertical composition of bushy and falling plants planted in a flower pot looks more impressive.

You can also resort to creating a semblance of an alpine slide, taking as a basis multi-level stands and laying the floor with an artificial turf imitating a lawn.

Compositions of climbing flowers planted around the arched structure have a very attractive look.

Vertical flower beds

The design of a vertical flower bed for a balcony is not at all complicated; to create it, you will need to find a used pallet, cover it with a moisture-proof material, and fill it with high-quality soil. Flowers are planted in holes, the structure is attached to a vertical plane, in particular, to a wall.

The basis for a vertical flower bed can be made of foil insulation. The existing cloth is folded in two layers, stitched with pockets, cut through them and covered with nutrient soil. Then the flowers are planted.

Plants for such compositions are selected with small roots. Since the soil in such pockets will dry out faster than in pots, the flower beds will need more frequent watering. We should not forget about top dressing, water-soluble fertilizers of any type can be used to feed plants.