How to Start Your Own Greenhouse

What Is a Hoop House Greenhouse?

Hoop houses are the cheapest and easiest greenhouses to build, making them an excellent first greenhouse. They also don't require a permit in most areas. The name "hoop house" comes from the greenhouse design, literally built from rounded hoops of aluminum or PVC pipes. The hoops are draped in either polyethylene film or panels, lasting about two to four years before being replaced.

The low sidewalls do limit interior headroom for taller plants but are a top choice for starting seeds. The rounded shape sheds snow and rain better than most greenhouse designs but can collapse in heavy snow and wind. For this reason, hoop houses aren't ideal for year-round use in snowy climates. You may also need to run a blower in the greenhouse to keep it adequately insulated on cold days.

What Is a Gothic Arch Greenhouse

The gothic arch greenhouse is a variation of the above hoop house with a defined peak at the top rather than perfectly rounded. This design creates a steeper roof to shed snow and rain better. Like the hoop house, gothic arch greenhouses provide excellent lighting with a spacious interior for plants. They are usually framed in PVC, aluminum, or wood and draped in polyethylene film or fitted panels. The panel design allows for the addition of vents and windows to improve ventilation, but you may still need to use a heater on cold days.

Gothic arch greenhouses are also usually built on a foundation, requiring a building permit and subject to additional property taxes.

What Is a Geodesic Dome Greenhouse?

Geodesic dome greenhouses stand out from other greenhouses with their stunning dome shape. The shape provides exceptional lighting for plants but also limits the internal space, especially near the edges. The dome greenhouse sheds snow and rain well and can be built with sturdy steel or wood frames to withstand harsh weather. These greenhouses do require a foundation and can be draped in polyethylene film or fitted panels. If you're looking for a greenhouse you'll enjoy lounging in, and the geodesic dome is a plant lover's paradise. Just imagine sitting in a comfortable chair surrounded by exotic tropical flowers!

What Is a A-Frame Greenhouse?

The A-frame greenhouse is arguably one of the most picturesque options for hobby gardeners and suburban homeowners. These compact greenhouses can be built in a variety of sizes for seed starting and year-round use. A-frame greenhouses are usually framed in aluminum, steel, or wood and covered with glass or polycarbonate panels. Like those by Palram, easy-to-build A-frame greenhouse kits often include vents, locking doors, and even rain gutters. 

These sturdy greenhouses can withstand snow and wind, especially when built on a foundation and securely tied down. A greenhouse heater can quickly transform an A-frame greenhouse into a relaxing outdoor space for reading, playing music, or napping amongst your plants in cooler climates. Just imagine cozying up with a good book, surrounded by fragrant herbs and flowers, on a bitterly cold day. 

What Is a Portable Greenhouse?

If you live in an apartment, condo, flat, or don't need a lot of space, a portable greenhouse might be the perfect fit. These popup greenhouses contain just a few shelves, safely zipped into a plastic covering for easy seed starting or plant care. When portable greenhouses are stacked vertically, plants can quickly be closed in for cold nights while also getting plenty of sun during the day. The greenhouse covering can also be removed, resulting in a beautiful shelf of greenery. 

Portable greenhouses are inexpensive and don't require a permit. However, be sure to check your Home Owners Association (HOA) or rental contract to ensure these cute little greenhouses are allowed on your deck or balcony.

Which Type of Greenhouse is Right for You?

Every gardener has different greenhouse needs. Some may only need the greenhouse in the spring to start vegetable plants from seed, while others may need one for tropical flowers year-round. Consider the following questions:

• How big is your yard?
• What do you plan to grow?
• How many plants are you planning to grow?
• Do you have HOA restrictions?
• Do you get lots of snow or wind?
• Do you plan to use it year-round?

Where Should You Place a Greenhouse?

The single most crucial aspect of any greenhouse is its placement on your property. Greenhouses should be built in full sun for optimal plant growth. Be sure to build it clear of trees to prevent shade, damage, and leaves from piling up. If you're unsure of the proper placement in your yard, spend a few weeks tracking how the sun moves around your home. Remember, the sun's position changes by season, so a space that's sunny now might not be in a few months.

You'll also want to consider the greenhouse's proximity to your home and garden. A greenhouse built close to your garden beds will make transplanting vegetable starts much easier. If you plan to use your greenhouse year-round to grow cut flowers, citrus, or herbs, you might want to keep it closer to your home. A greenhouse built too far away may not get watered or weeded often enough.

What Should You Grow in a Greenhouse?

Wondering what you should grow in a greenhouse? You're not alone. If you're new to gardening, the best place to start is with what you enjoy. Grow the fruits, vegetables, and herbs you buy most often. One of the top reasons people start gardening is to grow things that aren't easy to buy. For example, you might love carrots, but most stores only carry traditional orange carrots. Growing carrots from seed will open the doors to new varieties like the Cosmic Purple Carrot and the Lunar White Carrot. You might also explore new herbs for cooking, like lemon thyme, or uncommon squash, like delicata. 

Your greenhouse can be used in so many ways. With it, you can start seeds and harden them off, propagate perennial cuttings, or grow things that don't traditionally grow in your zone. Maybe you'll choose hibiscus, cilantro, or citrus fruits. It's all up to you!

Can I Use a Greenhouse Year-Round?

Yes, greenhouses can extend the gardening season for homeowners in the north, making it possible to grow things like tomatoes, lemons, and flowers year-round. Greenhouses also make a wonderful space to relax and wash those winter blues away. You might leave space for a cozy Papasan chair, a bistro table, or funky garden art you pick up on your travels.

If you plan to use your greenhouse year-round, be sure you build it strong enough to withstand the weather. You may also need to add fans, vents, and heaters to keep the interior climate right for your plants.

How Does Local Climate Affect What You Can Grow?

Your local climate determines what will grow well in your garden, but a greenhouse makes it possible to grow more. For example, homeowners in the Great White North often have trouble growing tomatoes as nighttime temperatures drop too low. These gardeners might keep their tomato plants in a greenhouse to keep them warm at night for juicer tomatoes and a bigger harvest.