Introduction

A greenhouse may seem like a luxury, because that’s exactly what it is—an everyday luxury. It is an extraordinary structure that can, if used correctly, pay for itself. A greenhouse allows you to grow exactly the ornamentals and edibles you want, rather than settling for those that you find in local nurseries and home centers. More than that, the right greenhouse in the right location is a gardener’s getaway, a tiny slice of tropical paradise that makes bitter winter cold disappear (if only for an hour or so) and provides a lush vacation spot steps from your back door.

Small home “hobby” greenhouses for the masses are a relatively recent historical phenomenon; the evolution of the greenhouse is grounded in the whims of the wealthy. The first recorded use of hotbeds and cold frames was ensuring Roman emperors had cucumbers in winter. The English greenhouse culture that is so pervasive in the United Kingdom today began on the estates of the landed gentry—aristocrats who wanted fresh citrus and pineapples without the bother of importing those delicacies.

Ultimately, however, the idea of growing crops out of season or out of locality was far too appealing to be confined to the rich. Home gardeners of more modest means soon adopted simpler greenhouses so that they could have fresh vegetables all year round, or get a jump on flowers for their gardens, and that promise is still what draws home gardeners to greenhouses today.

Wonder if a greenhouse would be right for you? Ask yourself a few basic questions: Are you ready to start your own flower-bed showoffs rather than buying flat after flat at the local nursery each spring? Would you like the satisfaction and flavor of growing your own super-healthy greens, fruits, and vegetables? Would you like to experiment with crops that normally would not grow in your zone, including tropical plants like orchids, avocadoes, and pineapples? If the answer to any of these is yes, it’s time to consider which greenhouse is best for you.

Before taking the plunge, you’ll need to consider the many factors and options that go into setting up a greenhouse. No worries: we’ve covered all those basics in the pages that follow, leading you to choices based on what you want to grow and how you want to grow it.

Fortunately, a greenhouse need not break the bank. You can find an entire spectrum of prefabricated types, from zip-up plastic covers over hutch-sized metal frames all the way up to house-sized “conservatories” that can dominate a large property. The range of available prefabricated sizes, materials, and technologies ensures that there is a greenhouse for everyone—and if you can’t find exactly what you want from a manufacturer, you can build your own. You’ll find many wonderful possibilities in the project section of this book.

A greenhouse is even more productive and rewarding when coupled with features such as seed starter racks, custom workbenches, and cost-saving graywater systems. You can also supplement the bounty of the greenhouse with structures such as covered raised beds and portable cold frames that help keep plants warm and protected in garden beds. You’ll find a wealth of these “greenhouse complements” in the projects section as well.