The allure of having a greenhouse is something that some gardeners dream of – a place to overwinter plants, start seedlings, and have workspace. How does this become a reality? First of all, determine your goals and ideas. Do your homework and decide if it is a project worthy of the investment of your time, money and efforts?
About the time Fall arrives and freezing weather makes its appearance, ads for greenhouses start flooding inboxes and social media sites. It seems like a good idea to have a place to store tender plants that can’t handle it outside during our coldest temperatures of January and February. Another bonus is the ability to provide a head-start for seedlings to sprout before they are planted in the garden.
There are a variety of styles, sizes, price points as well as optional accessories to consider – from heavy plastic, glass or plexiglass partitions, to brick surrounds, and various mortar and glass options, ranging in cost, size and function. A greenhouse can also be labor intensive, and impractical for those who don’t have the time, ability, or manpower to maintain it properly.
The preferred space needs to be of adequate size for your garden needs, level and in a sunny to mostly sunny location. Water needs to be close and the ability to heat, cool and monitor the space is an important consideration.
Dreaming of a place to overwinter my plants caused me to inquire online. My available location was not ideal-the space was not adequate and the prep and the assembly was more than daunting (in so many ways). Ultimately, the amount of time, effort and money to be invested caused me to pause, rethink and determine that installing a greenhouse was not my best move. However, a well-utilized greenhouse is much more than just a storage space for tender plants.
While contemplating this, Raincatchers’ acquired one that would be optimal for our North Garden. It was transported to the property and the plans for putting it into seedling production began to unfurl. It took about two months to get the “new to us” greenhouse relocated and in working order. The “team” at Raincatchers’ has spent many man hours preparing it for use, leveling the site, setting a brick floor on decomposed granite, anchoring the greenhouse against the strong Texas winds, building multiple two-tiered seedling tables, installing a solar powered cooling fan, and initiating water and electrical hookups. Maintenance will be ongoing.
Seedlings have now been started for our many vegetable beds and they appear to be very happy in their controlled environment. Note: vegetable seedlings are started and then set out into our gardens at the proper time.
If you are thinking about acquiring a greenhouse, either by purchase or building it yourself – the best of luck to you! Hopefully, you now have an idea of the reality of the effort to produce a functioning greenhouse and can make an informed decision It can be very useful and an asset to your gardening efforts; whether starting vegetables, flowers or show plants, or just over wintering your houseplants or tropicals.
A gardener’s considerations for Installing a greenhouse:
Manpower to construct the unit (most come in sections that require construction)
$$ Cost (from a few hundred dollars to several thousands)
Overall Size and Options
Site selection –
Sunny to mostly sunny location
Ground leveled for structure
Anchoring against the wind
Inside Flooring (Hard surface with the ability to drain) several options Shelving options (Water resistant)
Storage options (Greenhouse supplies)
Heating and Cooling Capability, i.e., a solar operated cooling fan
Electrical Considerations
Water Availability (For plant watering and seedling misting)
Shade Capability (For the long, hot sunny days)
On-going Upkeep (several hours a week)
Construction Permit (If required)
Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011 with input from Jon Maxwell, Class of 2015
Raincatcher’s plant sale-May 7th
Dallas County Master Gardener Association Garden Tour 2024-May 18th
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 