Editor’s Note: Jim Dulley’s column will move to the Saturday Living section beginning April 30.

Dear Jim: I want to build an inexpensive greenhouse from scratch or from a kit for growing plants organically. I want to make it efficient so it needs as little extra heat as possible. What design do you recommend? – Nancy W.

Dear Nancy: I would recommend buying a do-it-yourself kit instead of trying to build your own greenhouse from scratch for several reasons. By the time you purchase all the materials to build one from scratch, you may end up paying more than you would have for a simple kit which has more features.

A kit will be more stable than one you build yourself from scratch using a lumber frame. With the high level of humidity and exposure to the sun, wood is not the optimum framing material. Most kits use plastic, aluminum or galvanizing steel framing, which is not affected by humidity. The plastic frame models, such as Aarons Creek Farms, are glued together similar to plumbing.

Unless you live in a very mild climate, your greenhouse will likely need some supplemental winter heating for year-round use. It is better to plan to use the greenhouse in all but the coldest months to avoid heating it. By making it efficient, you may be able to use it 10 or 11 months per year.

Since you are looking for an inexpensive greenhouse option, a kit which uses a polyfilm covering would be an excellent choice. The polyfilm allows a high percentage of the sun’s heating rays to pass through into the greenhouse, and it is more durable than you might think.

The following companies offer greenhouses and kits: Aarons Creek Farms, (888) 888-9050, www.littlegreenhouse.com; Atlas Greenhouse, (800) 346-9902, www.hobbygreenhousekits.com; Hoop House, (800) 760-5192, www.hoophouse.com; Sunshine Gardenhouse, (888) 272-9333, www.gardenhouse.com; and Yard Works, (800) 369-8333, www.yard

works-greenhouses.com.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit www.dulley.com