Quick Answer:

Choosing the right greenhouse depends on your climate, garden layout, personal style, and long-term goals—whether you’re maximizing growing space or designing a beautiful retreat—so consider structure materials, model types like the Cape Cod or Pacific, and placement with expert guidance to ensure the perfect fit for your space and stage of life.

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It's pretty tough to put all your thoughts into one "basket" - or in my case, one new greenhouse purchase. I'm Donna Balzer and I am a gardener and horticulturist by training. I am about to build my third BC Greenhouse Builders greenhouse this spring and you might think I should know everything about greenhouses by now.

Quick Answer:

What are the essential seed terms for greenhouse gardening? Understanding common seed terminology is key when planning your greenhouse garden. Heirloom seeds are stable, open-pollinated varieties that grow true from saved seed, while hybrid (F1) seeds are lab-created crosses offering traits like disease resistance or high yield but cannot be reliably saved. F2–F5 seeds are later generations from hybrids, gradually stabilizing into your own heirlooms. Pelleted seeds are clay-coated for ease of planting, especially by machine, while treated seeds are coated with chemicals to resist rot in cold soil—something many organic growers prefer to avoid. Terms like “new” may refer only to catalogue listings, not to truly new varieties. You’ll also see micro-tomatoes, compact plants ideal for greenhouses, and days to maturity, which are useful for comparing growth speeds across varieties but are not precise. Ultimately, buying seeds in bulk from fewer suppliers or saving your own seed helps manage rising shipping costs while still offering variety and value in your greenhouse garden.

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So much to consider

It is December and the seed catalogues are arriving fast and furious. Meanwhile, online suppliers are pounding out dozens of notices to remind us it is time to order seeds soon.

Quick Answer:

Growing a variety of lettuces like iceberg, Bibb, leaf, and romaine in your greenhouse ensures fresh, year-round greens despite outdoor shortages, while maintaining ideal moisture, shade, and temperature conditions maximizes yield and quality.

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Planning to grow more greens in the new year

Dry weather in California has made lettuce plants weaker and a virus has ravaged crops, leaving farmers with little to sell, according to an article in the November 18, 2022, Calgary Herald. Consequently, iceberg and romaine lettuce are harder to find this month all over North America.

Quick Answer:

Preparing your greenhouse for storms involves securing loose items, maintaining minimal heat to prevent snow buildup, reinforcing vents and doors, and using protective materials like plywood to safeguard against wind and debris damage.

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How to Prepare your Greenhouse for High Wind Storms

Tidying Up Before Storms

Tidy up ahead of storms, so that in the event of high winds or snow storms items such as trash bins, lawn furniture, pots and trays will not be blown into your greenhouse. If required, move all the accumulated equipment and supplies out of the way along the sides and around ends of your greenhouse if you would like to create a path to the greenhouse or prevent snow drifts from accumulating on the sidewalls.

Quick Answer:

How does nature in a greenhouse benefit health and well-being? Greenhouse gardening fosters year-round growth, creativity, and mental wellness. The greenhouse serves as both sanctuary and studio, where finger limes, tomatoes, and microgreens thrive—and where the act of nurturing plants inspires everyone from camera crew to casual observers. As supported by experts like psychiatrist Susan Stuart-Smith, engaging with natural complexity in gardens has proven restorative effects. Whether it’s growing exotic citrus or saving tomato seeds, greenhouse gardening extends the seasons and deepens our connection to nature—reminding us that the seeds we sow today hold the promise of tomorrow’s blooms.

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Late Fall Harvests

It's late September and I taste my first-ever finger lime, grown right in my greenhouse, and I am amazed by the crisp texture and luscious lime taste of the juicy vesicles. (See my first impressions here) And just then an unrelated email arrives. A Los Angeles-based marketing firm asks, "Will you showcase the benefits of nature on behalf of a client for an online event?"

Quick Answer:

What are the first steps when buying a greenhouse? Start by choosing between a freestanding or building-attached structure—each offers unique benefits for space, light, and utility access. Next, consider greenhouse design and DIY kit styles that suit your lifestyle, garden goals, and available space. Selecting the right glazing—glass or polycarbonate—is essential for durability, insulation, and appearance. Finally, site placement is key: aim for a location with at least 6 hours of winter sunlight, easy access for construction, and convenient daily use. These simplified steps will guide you toward the perfect greenhouse to extend your growing season and enhance your outdoor living space.

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Thinking about upgrading your garden space?

Wanting to expand your living area into the bright outdoors? Would you like to protect your plants throughout the colder weather that will soon be here?

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What are the best tips for a successful late summer greenhouse harvest? As the season transitions, focus on four essential strategies: switch to a low-nitrogen fertilizer (like a 2-8-4 mix with kelp and micronutrients) to build plant strength without promoting excessive growth; maintain strong air circulation with fans to prevent fungal issues as nights cool; start fresh crops like lettuce and arugula to extend your harvest into fall; and apply targeted shading using aluminet or shade cloth to protect plants from intense late-summer sun. These greenhouse gardening tips will help you maximize yields and enjoy a longer, more productive harvest season.

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Late Summer Gardening Tips

It is late August and I am chatting with my daughter who lives in Northern Alberta, Canada. Her outside garden has never looked so good because of the heat and regular rains. But she is wishing she could get another month on either end of the growing season.

Quick Answer:

What should you know before building a new greenhouse? Start by identifying your space, climate, and goals—whether it’s year-round food production, a plant haven, or a cozy garden retreat. Choose between freestanding or home-attached structures, and consider features like polycarbonate for insulation, drop doors for height, and automatic vents for heat control. From concrete foundations to seating areas and self-watering beds, thoughtful planning ensures your greenhouse meets your specific needs. Whether you're downsizing or adapting to a colder climate, the right design and features will transform your growing space into a functional and relaxing extension of your home.

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Building a New Greenhouse: Best Features and Design Ideas

What is the best feature of your existing greenhouse? And what would you change if you could do it all over again and build a new greenhouse from scratch?

Quick Answer:

To stagger your harvest and maximize your greenhouse space, start cold-tolerant crops like cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, arugula, and green onions in mid to late summer, filling gaps as summer plants finish. This double-cropping method ensures a steady supply of fresh produce through fall and winter without needing supplemental heat. By seeding early, transplanting strategically, and using light frost protection like row covers, you can extend your growing season and enjoy bug-resistant, off-season harvests.

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The peak of summer brings the best of all worlds for the greenhouse gardener. Early tomatoes, the first zucchini and loads of strawberries. But there is another thing summer brings. The chance to start winter vegetables in your greenhouse.