It’s always growing season inside backyard greenhouses.
Quite simply, that’s the appeal of a backyard greenhouse– or even a larger-scale greenhouse on your acreage property. Even when there’s snow on the ground and the cold wind is howling, it’s always summer in the greenhouse. The controlled climate inside a greenhouse makes it possible to grow ornamental plants and edible fruits and vegetables all year long.
According to Tammy Wylie of Advance Greenhouses, you can enjoy the benefits of having your own greenhouse without being a professional grower. “Greenhouses enable you to enjoy growing plants all year long, and that’s the best way to take your gardening to the next level,” she said.
Many avid gardeners and property owners have installed a greenhouse to grow their favorite plants—especially homegrown fruits and vegetables—throughout the year. That’s because an impressive variety of greenhouse styles, sizes and price points is available. Some lightweight greenhouses can even be moved from site to site. Some kits can be built with permanent foundations and foundation walls. Plus, professional-quality greenhouses can be constructed onsite.
The editors at Home, Garden and Homestead have reviewed the attributes of dozens of available backyard greenhouses. Here’s an assortment of greenhouses that can make year-round growing a reality on your property.
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Backyard greenhouses with Gothic Arch performance
If you’re looking for a nice-sized backyard greenhouse with style, or a larger greenhouse for a larger property, consider a Gothic Arch Greenhouse. Why? Well, for starters, a Gothic Arch is one of the strongest architectural shapes known to man.
The heart of a Gothic Arch Greenhouse is the sturdy, energy-efficient arch made of Bald Cypress wood. The hand-crafted structural arches are always at an ideal angle toward the sun. Because of the high profile of the ridge, a Gothic Arch Greenhouse is perfect for growing taller plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers and many tropical trees. In addition, the Gothic Arch design encourages condensation run-off inside the greenhouse, and the design also prevents snow accumulation on the roof.
A backyard greenhouse or homestead greenhouse from Gothic Arch Greenhouses comes with three greenhouse covering options: corrugated polycarbonate, 8 mm twin-wall polycarbonate, and 8 mm triple-wall polycarbonate. Greenhouses are available in five widths—8 feet, 12 feet, 14 feet, 18 feet and 22 feet in four-foot increments in length. Install the greenhouse directly on the ground, or place the structure on a foundation wall to raise the height of the roof. Prices start at about $5,200. Check the sizes and pricing options here.
A tough RIGA greenhouse for all-weather growing
Designed and engineered in Germany to meet European standards of quality, a RIGA Greenhouse offers the perfect environment for growing plants all year long—even in the coldest days of winter. The standard RIGA backyard greenhouse has a heavy-duty frame with 8mm and 10mm twin-wall polycarbonate walls. 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.
The Exaco RIGA III Greenhouse provides 102 square feet of indoor growing space. The heavy duty Dutch door opens from the top and the bottom with a keyed lock. The curved arch profile of this greenhouse keeps snow from accumulating on the top. Glazed polycarbonate walls, rear window and roof window make it easy to control the indoor temperature.
The RIGA III Greenhouse is a Top Pick by the editors of Home, Garden and Homestead for a solid, dependable backyard greenhouse that offers excellent features for the money. This is a greenhouse you will enjoy for many, many years. Check the price on Amazon.
Polycarbonate sheets for greenhouses
Backyard greenhouses are also available as kits. 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. One reason polycarbonate glazing is a popular alternative to glass is because it offers higher R-ratings for insulation. Plus, polycarbonate offers multi-wall options for strength and additional options including specialty sheets and anti-fog coating.
The 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 for happy and healthy plants. A free Greenhouse Planning and Building Guide is available from Advance Greenhouses.
A large commercial-grade RIGA greenhouse
The professional level RIGA XL boasts thicker profiles with 16mm triple-wall polycarbonate for superior insulation throughout the winter. The XL meets commercial growing specifications, so it’s an awesome choice for a backyard greenhouse if your budget allows.
The heavy-duty construction features thick aluminum framing and a reinforced base. The peak inside is 74 inches tall, and the greenhouse measures 10 feet wide and 19 feet 8 inches long– for a spacious 283 square feet of indoor growing space. Four large Dutch doors and four automatic roof windows gives the RIGA XL plenty of ventilation. An optional in-ground foundation frame is available to anchor the greenhouse for those who prefer to avoid concrete work.
If you are looking for a greenhouse for your homestead or a greenhouse with enough growing space to feed a family, the RIGA XL 283 square foot model is an excellent choice. Check price and availability here.
Backyard greenhouses: A kit at a budget price
Kit greenhouses come in a variety of styles, colors and sizes. This hobby greenhouse is designed to provide ideal conditions for indoor growing and an affordable price. The entrance door and roof vent window control the ventilation inside the greenhouse to help maintain optimal temperature and moisture levels.
The tall profile gives lots of headroom and height for hobby growing. In addition, the rust-resistant aluminum frame is powder coated for durability to ensure years of carefree use. Also included in this kit greenhouse is a lockable door handle with a magnetic door catch, rain gutters, and a galvanized steel base for structural support
This greenhouse measures 6 feet by 8 feet and provides 48 square feet of growing space. In addition, other greenhouse accessories are available. A small greenhouse heater, such as the BioGreen Palma Heater shown below, can be added to enhance year-round growing in colder climates. For more information and pricing Click Here.
A greenhouse heater for those cold nights
Many greenhouses need a heating boost in the coldest months. BioGreen electric heaters are perfect for providing dependable and affordable heat for greenhouses. The 1,500-watt, 5,118 BTU BioGreen Palma heater easily keeps 120 square feet warm for plants of all types. With the digital summer/winter thermostat and external sensor cable, this heater can measure the ambient temperature in the greenhouse and turn the heater on and off automatically.
This floor-standing heater has a high-circulation fan that helps keep mold from forming on plants. In addition, the heater casing is made from stainless steel and engineered in Germany for energy efficiency and years of worry-free use. The BioGreen Palma heater and thermostat sells for about $175 on Amazon.com. Click here to check today’s price and order.
Accesories for Backyard Greenhouses
There are all kinds of additional accessories that can be added to backyard greenhouses. For example, an automatic roof vent opener is great for letting heat out when the greenhouse temperature gets too hot. A thermometer-hygrometer instantly lets you know the inside temperature and humidity level. And extra wire shelving lets you grow more plants in your greenhouse space. Check here for Greenhouse Accessories on Amazon.
We’ve got LOTS more stories posted on Home Garden and Homestead. You may also enjoy Follow the Buzz: How to Start Beekeeping and Best New Vegetable Seeds for Your Garden.
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