In our area we can hardly grow ripe tomatoes in the summer without a greenhouse. Peppers and cucumbers are difficult also. Sure, some summers are better than others, but a greenhouse is definitely a plus to have.
There are several greenhouses to choose from, depending on ones need and preference. Here is a comparison of some that we know and have some experiences with.
1. Store bought greenhouse kits
Aluminum or plastic frame greenhouses are available in different sizes and shapes in many different stores. We got our first one from Canadian Tire on an end of season special sale.
Pros:
- It is usually very easy to assemble and you can start growing right away
- Looks neat and there are different sizes to choose from depending on ones needs
- Special sales are available
- Resell easily (at least this is our experience)
Cons:
- Stability might be a problem, it is wise to read reviews
- Smaller sizes have a temperature control problem
- Bigger ones are often very expensive (look for specials)
2. Hoop house
Hoop house greenhouse is probably the most known ones.
Pros
- Easy and inexpensive to build
- Can be built into small or really big sizes
- It is quite simple to get good ventilation
- Simple to arrange plants
Cons
- Hoop houses tend not to withstand winter storms very well
- Snow shoveling off of the hoop house is needed in the winter
3. Wooden frame greenhouse
This is usually a more permanent and stable building.
Pros
- Stable and lasting structure
- Can look very nice, depending on how well the job was done
- Easy to organize plants
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Might need snow removal from the roof
4. GeoDome Greenhouse
I had not even heard of something like this before we started to look for a greenhouse. See also ‘How to build a GeoDeme greenhouse‘.
Pros
- Very unique, lightweight structure
- Stable in wind and snow
- Optimal light absorption
- Has the most growing ground space
- A unique hang out place
- A eye catcher
Cons
- Needs lots of ventilation, since the temperature tends to get very hot (this can also be a pro, depending on the temperature outside)
- It is a bit tricky to arrange the plants
6. Solar Greenhouse
A solar greenhouse is a greenhouse with an insulated back wall for winter protection, and an glassed front wall for light. The designs vary from a simple earth or straw insulation to a high tech greenhouse.
Pros
- Has the best thermal performance
- Is amassing for the off season and spring seedling starting
- Offers great possibilities for combining growing food with other activities such as raising animals or just an hang out place.
Cons
- Expensive to build
- Has limited light in the summer, especially notable in northern hemisphere. Speaking from our experience with the Garage Greenhouse, it is great for growing in spring and fall, not so much for summer and winter.
7. Cold Frame Greenhouse
The cold frame for tomatoes was build out of recycled windows and patio doors for the walls, and a recycled door to get into it. So technically it is not a greenhouse, just a frame. But the results are phenomenal. Read more at: A cold frame for tomatoes.
Pros
- Easy and very inexpensive to build
- The plants get direct sunshine
- Overheating in the summer is not possible
Cons
- In early spring and very cold nights it needs to be covered. We used Frost Blankets
and/or plastic to cover the top.
- For bigger areas you would need several frames to keep the effect of wind protection and heat enclosure.
- It does not have the charm of a greenhouse
Other Greenhouses
There are many other greenhouse structures. One of our summer hobbies is to go to different greenhouses and admire the ideas and possibilities: Portable Greenhouse
Any greenhouse in a Northern garden is better than none, so get started this year if you do not have one yet, and keep on growing!
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thanks for sharing this! did you build your greenhouse yourself? where did you get the plans from and how much did it cost you? love the shape and i am sure it is very nice to have in your garden. would love to hear more!
Yes, we did build the greenhouse, since it is such a lightweight structure, it is not expensive. We have an instruction for the greenhouse.
I really do like the dome greenhouse. My mom would love to have her own greenhouse or greenroom.
As I’ve told you before, I would love to have a greenhouse. 🙂 I would like to start off with one like the first one pictured. You are making me dream of spring, girl! And that’s a good thing.
That was our first little greenhouse too, a good start! Hope spring comes soon for you, we have to wait a little longer.
This is great! I’d love to have a greenhouse for my garden loving husband. Which kind do you think would be better for a person in a wheelchair? Hoop House?
Hoop house or the wooden frame greenhouse with raised beds could work great for a person in a wheelchair. A dome would work too, if you make a wide enough path all around and also raised beds all around, I can’t see why not, he sure would love it!
I love them all! I would have to get an uber small one, but these are all good to know about. One of these days I will get one!
Love these greenhouses! 🙂 We have a wooden-framed 8×16′ “three-quarter span” greenhouse in our small Montana backyard (with the short beam side on the east, to heat up quickly in the morning, and the long side on the west, to reflect hot summer sun). My husband did the neatest thing though – the back end (northeast corner) is actually enclosed for our urban hens! We can feed, water, and check eggs despite inclement weather… the bit of extra heat is great for plants AND hens… we can store chicken feed/calcium/grit under shelves in the greenhouse… there is a nice swap of oxygen/carbon dioxide. We use the “deep litter” method of coop maintenance, using local leaves as our bedding… so when it’s time to clean out the coop and attached run, we can shovel all that good, composting stuff straight into gardens to finish up before planting in.
I spend a lot of time in the greenhouse… it’s a lovely “Mom Cave”!! 🙂
This are some great ways to use a greenhouse along with a chicken coop. Thank you for sharing!
PREFECT timing! I was looking for a post like this recently as we’re building our first greenhouse this spring.
I like the Wooden frame greenhouse, it is cute with those plants growing up the side. I used to have a greenhouse in another home we once lived in. I used it quite well and enjoyed it. I hope to have one again someday. In the meantime, I just have to garden the old fashioned way but that works pretty good down here in the deep south!
Spring can’t get here soon enough this year!!
I just love these ideas.. have been doing a lot of research so that we can be ready once we buy our property which I am hoping will be soon now (next spring). I also love the idea that one of the comments made about attaching the chicken coop at the end. I am handicap and having an extended greenhouse would be a wonderful idea for me… We have also extensively been looking into the idea of an underground greenhouse as we don’t usually get our last frost until sometime in May here (last year was June for our last snow-fall/the weather here can change in the blink of an eye.. literally), but the idea of having to shovel snow off the roof makes it an if-y idea for us with my limitations. Having a greenhouse would allow us to have a spring planting and not have to miss out on those lovely spring veggies… Thanks so much for sharing and I love your web-blog.. Blessings to you all from Northeastern Colorado…
Thank you for your kind words. Hope you find the right greenhouse for you.
Thanks for the post. It would be interesting to add passive solar greenhouses to your list of comparisons. I live in Yellowknife and am looking at building a high quality greenhouse. A passive solar greenhouse would have the best thermal performance, but would be more expensive to build and won’t catch as much light in the summer.
We did visit a passive solar greenhouse, you can read about it here community-greenhouse, You are right about the light problem in the summer, but we also find that in our short Canadian summers one almost needs two greenhouses, one for summer growing and one for fall/winter growing. Plants for winter harvest need to be started way before the summer crop is done, otherwise they will not mature.
Two greenhouses is not something I thought of. Right now I have a pretty small lot and just enough room for 6’ x 8’ plastic snap together greenhouse. However, this summer I’m moving to a house on a much larger lot and hence the planning for a good quality greenhouse. I am a strong believer of building to your local climate and gardening habits. Also, not all “northern” climates are the same. In my case I have lots of sun, but very cold nights in the spring. In late spring it can even be colder in my greenhouse than outside at night because the ground is still frozen and sucks the heat out of the greenhouse. During the summer things grow better outside of the greenhouse. In the fall my problem is a lack of light, not heat. It stays warm, but there’s no sun and things just stop growing.
Most springs I start seedlings inside in April by a south facing window and put them in the greenhouse during the day in May. Last spring I managed to slip on some ice bringing some plants into the greenhouse and broke my leg. That just sucked all around, but it did lead to a minor innovation. Instead of bringing the plants in at night I ran a small electric space heater for a few hours on a timer to keep things from freezing. The energy use was minimal and my plants got the best start ever. I was even successful in growing peppers for the first time ever! It is interesting to note that the plants I left in the greenhouse all summer did not do as well as the ones planted outside in mid-June. The peppers did not produce at all in the greenhouse, but the tomatoes did okay.
Interesting observation Justin, thank you for sharing. I would recommend you to read my post about the roofless greenhouse. It could be a great solution for you too.
Wow, I had no idea that there are so many different types of greenhouses available! It sounds like it might be a good idea to go with the solar greenhouse, as long as you can afford it. The idea of having a warm place to relax in the middle of winter sounds absolutely amazing, especially if you’re surrounded by greenery. I would love to have my morning coffee in an environment like that!
Yes, at sure is a blessing to have a solar greenhouse.
Have you looked into a passive solar greenhouse with a climate battery? A great book for reference is “The Forest Garden Greenhouse” by Jerome Osentowski of CRMPi. crmpi.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKMi4Vlt_Ys
Why is solar greenhouse have less light in summer? The top is covered?
Ours is, yes, but you can build it with a glass roof as well. A solar greenhouse has less light because the sun can only come in from the south, you are missing the east and west sun (or parts of it), as well as the north sun during the pick of summer in a northern area.
Hi there, do you happen to know the make/model of the greenhouse in #1? We have the same greenhouse and unfortunately we don’t know that information. Our roof window broke off and I need to figure out how to order a replacement.
Sorry i don’t. All I know is that it was greenhouse from Canadian Tire. Maybe you can send them a picture and ask for it, that could help.