Greenhouses

1. Extend your gardening season. With a greenhouse, you can enjoy tending to your plants and the literal fruits of your labor without the restriction of seasonal changes. Play Mother Nature and provide the optimal heat, humidity, carbon dioxide level, and light conditions your plants of choice need to thrive, regardless of the snow and freezing temperatures outside. Imagine having freshly-picked, sweet, juicy strawberries free from preservatives and pesticides all year-round.
2. Stress-free plant protection. The enclosure of a greenhouse shields your plants from harsh weather, disease, pests, and predators that can seriously harm your hard work, without the dangerous chemicals, traps, and stress.
3. Grow exotic plants. Because of the ability to control the conditions inside your greenhouse, you can grow plants that would never survive in your climate zone. Skip the plane ride and create a tropical paradise during a Northeast winter by growing Amazon lilies, African violets, and Chinese hibiscus, right in your backyard with a greenhouse.
4. Save Money. In addition to the pleasure gardening brings to your life, investing in a greenhouse has financial benefits. Harvesting your own fruits and vegetables will save you a significant amount of money on groceries each year- produce tastes better when it is fresh and homegrown rather than imported and store-bought, anyway! Also, a greenhouse makes it much easier to start plants from seed, which is more economical than buying starter plants from a nursery.
5. Make Money. By turning your hobby into a small business, you can turn your investment in a greenhouse into profit. The controlled conditions within a greenhouse results in an increased yield of edible produce and beautiful flowers that can be sold locally. You can maximize your profit by strategically planning your crops according to what fruits and vegetables are in demand in your area.
6. Physical and mental health benefits. Most gardening-lovers find their hobby therapeutic- it reduces stress, anxiety, and loneliness. It has even been linked to lowering risk of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Seasonal depression is very real, and a greenhouse allows you to relax, get a little exercise, and soak up some vitamin D, even during the cold months.

Wayfair: When/how did your love for gardening and plants begin?

Dee: I used to toddle behind my grandmother, and she was a great gardener. I grew houseplants as a preteen and then started my own rose garden when I was 19. I've grown things ever since.

W: When did you start growing in a greenhouse?

D: I ordered the greenhouse four or five years ago from a company in Boston. It arrived, and we put it together like a kit. I've grown cuttings and seeds in the years since. I also have a seed-starting station in my house because I grow so much. The greenhouse is 8' by 12'. I wish I'd gone larger for my citrus trees.

W: What is the best part about having a greenhouse?

D: I can keep plants from year to year even if they aren't being sold in the marketplace. I can garden throughout winter so this gardening keeps the winter blues at bay. February used to be hard because it's cold here and dark. Now, I no longer feel that way.

W: What is the hardest part about having a greenhouse?

D: Keeping the heat going and dealing with insects organically. Insects can proliferate in a greenhouse very quickly. I have a two-stage heat system, propane, and electric. They back each other up so the heat doesn't go off on the coldest day of the year.

W: What is your favorite plant in your greenhouse?

D: I don't have a favorite plant. I do love growing coleus, geraniums (pelargoniums) and my 'Republic of Texas' orange tree. I've had homegrown oranges several years in a row. I also like my kumquat tree which I wouldn't be able to grow if I didn't have a greenhouse.

W: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own greenhouse?

D: Plan, plan, plan. Compare prices and what's offered in your greenhouse. For example, mine uses solar power to charge the batteries that open the ventilation. Also, buy bigger than you think you'll need.

Wayfair: When/how did your love for gardening and plants begin?

Bren: I have always been an outside person. My parents loved being outside when I was growing up. Some of our favorite things to do as a family were visiting national parks, road trips to the country and camping trips. As a child I had the most fun outside in my uncle’s garden, creating little gardens for my dolls to play in and just exploring the outdoors year-round. When I became a homeowner, my passion for home gardening began to grow. Being able to create the most creative space for my children to enjoy fueled me to learn to grow more.

W: When did you start growing in a greenhouse?

B: My first greenhouse was purchased online back in 2008. I was always envious of those who could grow year-round which is something I couldn’t do in NW Ohio( hardiness zone 5b) outdoors. In 2015 we built a dome greenhouse using products found at local hardware store.

W: What is the best part about having a greenhouse?

B: The best thing about a greenhouse/dome is that it creates a private space where you can surround yourself with nature anytime of the year. Growing my own food, herbs and flowers is the best feeling in the world!

W: What is the hardest part about having a greenhouse?

B: The hardest part about having a greenhouse is … well… nothing really! In the beginning it was confusing, but as time went on I found the right plants to grow each season and the right products to use to grow them. My greenhouse basically grows on its own!

W: What is your favorite plant in your greenhouse?

B: This is like picking your favorite child…. I have 2 children. In the spring, my favorite plants are the tomatoes, peppers, and pomegranates that are starting to bloom. I can’t wait to have a harvest before I can even plant outside. In the summer, my favorite plant is my hot peppers because they are getting the right amount of sun to grow healthy in a controlled environment. In the winter, I love my herbs that I can harvest bug-free (all-natural) and bring indoors to use in healthy meals for my family and friends.

W: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own greenhouse?

B: I totally believe ANYONE can enjoy and live successfully with a home greenhouse. I recommend going out in your backyard or the location you will build your greenhouse/dome and pay attention to the sun. Lay some sticks or put marks in the ground where you want your greenhouse to be. Look at that location and imagine your structure there, paying close attention to how much sun the area gets. When you build the structure be sure to GO BIG …. Domes are best because they utilize the best use of space. THINK OUT OF THE BOX… be creative and don’t be afraid to grow something unusual once you have your controlled environment built.