Is This Your Year for a Greenhouse?

Imagine growing plants all year long

Admit it—when the weather outside is cold and snowy, you have dreamed about growing tomatoes and salad greens all year long. Perhaps 2021 should be the year of your new greenhouse.

“You don’t need to be a professional horticulturist to enjoy the many benefits of a greenhouse,” said Tammy Wylie of Advance Greenhouses. “Whether you are a market grower or you simply want to enjoy the beauty of plants throughout the year, greenhouses take gardening to the next level. The protection from the elements that greenhouses provide extends the growing season, prevents damage from hail or strong winds, and even allows you to grow crops out of season if properly equipped.”

An onsite greenhouse offers so many growing opportunities. With a greenhouse, you can start plants from seed more easily—and start crops virtually all year long. Plus, a sturdy greenhouse makes it possible to grow all kinds of plants, even tropical plants!

Here is an assortment of greenhouse options that can make year-round growing a reality on your property.

Gothic Arch Greenhouse: a distinct look, plus energy efficiency

A greenhouse from Gothic Arch Greenhouses, a 75-year-old family-owned company in Mobile, Ala., is strong enough to stand up to extremes of snow and wind. The heart of a Gothic Arch Greenhouse kit is the sturdy Bald Cypress wood framing that is more energy efficient and insulating than metal-framed greenhouses. The sustainably harvested cypress wood is extremely resistant to water and insect damage.

The hand-crafted structural arches are always at an ideal angle toward the sun, and temperature ranges are easily maintained under the vaulted curves. A Gothic Arch Greenhouse is perfect for growing taller plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers and many tropical trees. The Gothic Arch design encourages condensation run-off inside the greenhouse, and the design also prevents snow accumulation on the roof.

There are 5 basic sizes in width: 8’, 12’, 14’, 18’ and 22’. The length is available in 4’ increments. The two available greenhouse covering options are 8 mm twin-wall polycarbonate and 8 mm triple-wall polycarbonate. The greenhouse can be installed directly at grade level, or the structure can be placed on an elevated foundation wall to raise the height. For information about available sizes and options, visit gothicarchgreenhouses.com or call (800) 531-4769.

A kit greenhouse with extra features

A Cape Cod Greenhouse offers traditional style and a sturdy aluminum frame for years of maintenance-free use. This handsome greenhouse can even double as a comfortable garden retreat. Automatic solar roof vents keep the indoor temperature comfortable for both plants and people.

A benefit of the Cape Cod design is its tall center ridge for hanging baskets and taller plants. The pre-hung glass and screen door is 74 inches tall. The sidewalls are 5.5 feet tall, which leaves plenty of space for benches and shelves. The greenhouse’s glazing material can be customized for your budget and growing specifications.

The Cape Cod greenhouse is available in a wide range of widths and lengths for every use from hobby growing to market growing. For more information about these greenhouse kits, visit charleysgreenhouse.com.

Polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses

Many property owners buy greenhouse kits in standard sizes. But others choose to build custom greenhouses to fit their specific size and shape requirements.

Polycarbonate sheets from Advance Greenhouses make it possible to build a high-quality, cost-effective greenhouse to your own specifications. Polycarbonate glazing is a popular alternative to glass because it offers higher R-ratings for insulation, multi-wall options for strength, and additional options including specialty sheets and antifog coating.

Polycarbonate sheets available from Advance Greenhouses come in five thicknesses (6mm twin wall, 8mm twin wall, 10mm twin wall or triple wall, 16mm triple wall or quintuple wall, and 25mm triple wall). All multi-wall sheets have at least a 10-year warranty against hail damage and change in light transmission.

Also available are Lexan, Gallina, and Polygal polycarbonate sheets that offer 100% light diffusion. A free Greenhouse Planning and Building Guide is available at advancegreenhouses.com/planning-and-building-a-greenhouse/

One-piece greenhouse, delivered

The vast majority of backyard greenhouse kits means assembly is required. That’s what makes an MI Green House unique. MI Green Houses come as a single, one-piece unit delivered to your site. There is no assembly, no electricity is needed to operate the solar-powered roof vents, and no maintenance is needed.

The arched design of the roof adds strength and durability, and it is effective at shedding show and ice. The unique automatic venting system uses beeswax cylinders that naturally expand to open the vents as temperature inside rises.

Three sizes are available: an 8-foot “Hobby” model, 15-foot standard size and the 28.5-foot “Homesteader” model, all made in Central Michigan. Visit migreenhouse.com for more information.

The warmth of a cedar greenhouse

A cedar greenhouse is warm and toasty on the inside, but it also looks great from across the yard. Cedar is known for its excellent durability and resistance to insects and pests, so a greenhouse framed with cedar wood is a popular choice.

Cedar greenhouses are popular choices for all kinds of properties. A typical kit greenhouse measures 8' x 12', and it’s a functional and pleasing addition to any home or acreage property. The pieces of this cedar greenhouse kit are all numbered so assembly is easy.

This greenhouse features vents that open automatically when the set temperature is reached — so there is no need to manually open or close the vents when the temperature fluctuates. A cedar greenhouse kit is more expensive that some less sturdy greenhouse kits. But the attractive and practical cedar finish is a great choice for property owners who want a year-round space to protect and nurture their plants. The Outdoor Living Today greenhouse kit is available on Amazon.com.

A greenhouse for colder climates

A RIGA Greenhouse offers the perfect environment for growing plants all year long—even in the coldest days of winter. The standard RIGA has a heavy-duty frame with 8mm and 10mm twin-wall polycarbonate walls, while the professional level RIGA XL boasts thicker profiles with 16mm triple-wall polycarbonate for superior insulation throughout the winter.

The thick, UV-coated polycarbonate glazing also provides diffused sunlight to protect plants during hot summers. Automatic roof vents, a wide front Dutch-style door and a rear window provide increased ventilation.

An optional in-ground foundation frame is available to anchor the greenhouse for those who prefer to avoid concrete work. Greenhouses are available in many sizes from 7’8” wide by 7’ long to 9’8” by 17’6”. The larger 14’ wide RIGA XL Greenhouses come in lengths from 16’5” to 29’6”. RIGA Greenhouse kits are available from exaco.com.

Historic expertise, made to order

Founded more than 80 years ago in the UK—where greenhouses are integral to gardening—Hartley Botanic has earned an unrivaled reputation for crafting the finest Glasshouses and Greenhouses money can buy through the highest standards of hard-won experience, craftsmanship, and service. Hartley Botanic combines modern advances in design, engineering and technology with old fashioned values and techniques.

Despite using cutting-edge machinery in its Greenfield factory, all Hartley Botanic Greenhouses are still “handmade,” being assembled entirely by hand with precision parts still being made using traditional, hand-operated equipment. A 30-year “lifetime’” guarantee covers both the structure and installation. Learn more about these custom-built greenhouses at hartley-botanic.com.