Greenhouses For Schools

More and more schools are integrating greenhouses into the curriculum. A school greenhouse offers students a unique opportunity to engage with biology, environmental science, business leadership and sustainability in a tangible way. From nurturing seedlings to understanding plant life cycles, the experience can ignite a passion for horticulture while teaching hands on skills. For example, students can collect and compare data, create mathematical charts and graphs, and learn about weights and measurements. When starting the process of establishing a greenhouse at your school, one of the first decisions is whether to opt for a greenhouse kit or to construct a custom greenhouse. Let’s explore the benefits and drawbacks of each option to help you decide which is best for your school.

Selecting A School Greenhouse: Custom Design or Greenhouse Kit

The Custom Greenhouse: Tailored to Perfection

Custom greenhouses offer a tailored solution for schools with specific needs and preferences. These greenhouses can be designed to fit unique spaces and incorporate high-quality materials, providing a long-lasting and personalized learning environment.

Learn more about the school greenhouse at Lake Grove Elementary.

Custom Greenhouse Pros:

1. Complete Customization: A custom-built greenhouse can be designed to perfectly fit your school’s specific needs, whether that involves unique dimensions, particular materials, or specific environmental controls.
2. Higher Quality Materials: When building a custom greenhouse, you can select high-quality materials that ensure greater durability and longevity, potentially leading to better long-term investment.
3. Educational Opportunity: The process of designing and building a custom greenhouse can be a valuable educational project itself. Students can engage in the planning, budgeting, and construction phases, gaining practical experience in project management and teamwork.
4. Better Integration: A custom greenhouse can be better integrated with existing school facilities and landscaping, creating a more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing environment.
5. Costs: It may be less expensive to build a custom greenhouse if a volunteer builder or engineer is able to lead the project. You may find you are able to solicit donations of building supplies and volunteer laborers.

Custom Greenhouse Cons:

1. Higher Initial Cost: Custom greenhouses typically require a larger initial investment. Costs can add up quickly with the need for specialized materials, professional design, and labor.
2. Longer Construction Time: The planning, design, and construction phases for a custom greenhouse can take significantly longer than assembling a kit. This can delay the start of greenhouse activities.
3. Complexity: Managing a custom construction project requires careful coordination and expertise, which can be challenging for schools without experience in such undertakings.
4. Potential for Budget Overruns: Custom projects can encounter unforeseen challenges that lead to additional expenses. Maintaining a strict budget can be difficult without thorough planning and contingency funds.

The Greenhouse Kit: Convenience and Simplicity

Greenhouse kits are a popular choice for schools looking to quickly and efficiently set up a greenhouse. These kits come with all necessary components and detailed instructions, making the assembly process straightforward and accessible.

Greenhouse Kit Pros:

1. Ease of Assembly: Greenhouse kits are designed for user-friendly assembly. They come with pre-cut materials and detailed instructions, making it possible for a team of teachers and students to put the greenhouse together without specialized construction skills.
2. Time Efficiency: Since kits are pre-designed and manufactured, they significantly reduce the time required for planning and building. This means your school can start utilizing the greenhouse sooner rather than later.
3. Cost Predictability: Kits often have a fixed price, which includes all necessary components. This predictability can simplify budgeting and fundraising efforts, providing clear financial goals for the project.
4. Variety of Options: Kits are available in various sizes and designs, from small cold frames to large walk-in greenhouses. This allows schools to choose a model that best fits their space and budget constraints.

Greenhouse Kit Cons:

1. Limited Customization: While kits offer various options, they may not perfectly meet the specific needs or aesthetic preferences of your school. Customization is generally limited to the choices available from the manufacturer.
2. Quality Variation: The quality of greenhouse kits can vary widely. Cheaper kits might use lower-quality materials that may not be as durable or long-lasting, especially in harsh weather conditions. Consider the product warranty and reviews.
3. Potential for Hidden Costs: Although the upfront cost is clear, there may be additional expenses for things like site preparation, extra tools, or unforeseen adjustments during assembly.

Making the Decision

Choosing between a greenhouse kit and a custom-built greenhouse depends on several factors including budget, time constraints, and the desired level of customization. For schools seeking a quick, straightforward, and cost-effective solution, a greenhouse kit may be the ideal choice. On the other hand, for schools that have specific requirements and are looking for a long-term investment that offers comprehensive educational opportunities, a custom greenhouse might be the better route.

Whichever path you choose, the introduction of a greenhouse to your school can provide an enriching, hands-on learning environment that fosters a deeper understanding of science and sustainability.

Solexx and the School Greenhouse

A Solexx™ Greenhouse serves as a four-season outdoor laboratory. Its revolutionary twin-walled, insulated Solexx covering produces diffuse light — the best type for plant growth. The double-tier benches provide space for hundreds of seedlings, while hanging rods create room for numerous hanging plants. Additionally, vertical space is available for specialized projects.

There is a perfect size Solexx™ Greenhouse for every space.  Greenhouses range from small 8’x8′ units to large 16’ wide Conservatory greenhouses up to 60’ or longer.  Every Conservatory greenhouse has 2 doors on each end and large interior walkways.  Even with an entire class inside, traffic flows easily into and out of the greenhouse. This design is perfect for setting up learning stations and providing space for student’s individual projects.

Additionally, schools have opted to custom build a greenhouse using Solexx Greenhouse Covering.

We are thrilled to assist you with your greenhouse project. We offer discounts on Solexx products to schools who purchase directly from us. Call us for more information, 800-825-1925

Read more about the advantages of a Solexx Greenhouse for your school.