The Year-Round Bounty and Bliss of Owning a Home Greenhouse

Imagine biting into a ripe, juicy tomato straight from the vine in the middle of January. Or plucking fresh basil and lettuce to make a summery salad, even when it’s snowing outside. This year-round gardening dream can become reality with a residential greenhouse.

Adding a greenhouse structure to your home offers the chance to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs during every season. But it also requires a considerable investment and commitment. Here’s an in-depth guide to everything you need to know about owning a home greenhouse.

Reasons to Own a Greenhouse

Fresh Produce Year-Round – This is the #1 motivator for most home greenhouse owners. With proper temperature control and lighting, greenhouses allow you to grow produce, vines, and herbs regardless of external weather or season.

Wider Variety – A greenhouse opens up many more plant possibilities since you can manually control factors like temperature, light, humidity, and soil conditions. Grow exotic fruits, orchids, or other plants not possible outdoors in your climate.

Earlier Harvests – Get a head start on spring planting and enjoy earlier harvests of crops like tomatoes and peppers. Likewise, extend fall harvests later into the colder months.

Pest Protection – Enclosing plants prevents many insect and animal pests from reaching them. However, greenhouse owners still need to control common insects like aphids.

Allure and Ambiance – A greenhouse can beautify a home’s gardens and architecture with graceful design and flourishing greenery visible from within the home.

Relaxing Hobby – For passionate gardeners, a greenhouse provides a relaxing retreat to spend hours happily tending and observing plants.

Choosing a Greenhouse

Size – Greenhouses range tremendously in size, from small lean-to structures to large freestanding greenhouses of 500 square feet or more. Decide how much gardening area you need based on your goals.

Design – Greenhouses come in many classic shapes like gothic arch or curved eave. But custom building is also an option. Consider style, sunlight control, and quality of ventilation.

Materials – Glass panels admit more light but plastic polyethylene is more affordable. Use a reputable manufacturer that provides durable, long-lasting material.

Permanence – Prefab kits are lower cost but may sacrifice stability and longevity compared to permanent in-ground structures built to local codes.

Placement – Most greenhouses need southern sun exposure, ideally with some shade from intense mid-day sun. Check for tree shade patterns throughout the day.

Features – Consider creature comforts like benches, shelves, sinks, electrical outlets, and automated watering or ventilation systems.

Getting Your Greenhouse Up and Running

Permits – Depending on size, electricity, and features, you may need permits for construction, plumbing, or electrical. Be sure to follow any zoning regulations.

Foundation – This provides critical stability, with options like poured concrete, compacted gravel, pressure-treated wood, cinder blocks, or posts.