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hobby greenhouse (2)

The inside of Donna's Greenhouse

What Are the 6 Tips for Cleaning a Greenhouse Before Winter Sets In?

Quick Answer:

What are the 6 essential tips for cleaning a greenhouse before winter sets in? The best time to clean your greenhouse is in late fall when plant growth slows, focusing on removing dead plants, reducing watering, clearing cobwebs, washing overwintering plants, and cleaning row covers to prevent pests and diseases. A thorough fall cleaning deters common greenhouse problems like mold, fungus gnats, and spider mites, ensuring a healthier growing environment for the upcoming season. Starting early and cleaning on a sunny day optimizes results and prepares your greenhouse for a productive spring restart.


Its never too early to get a head start

My husband and I planned a mid-week ski trip but on departure day I was still in my off finishing a time-sensitive project. We were staying overnight at the hill, it was still a workday, and the car was loaded up. There was no rush to get moving.

How Can I Maximize My Greenhouse Growing Schedule for Year-Round Seasonal Produce?

Quick Answer:

Strategically rotate crops by seeding quick growers like radishes and greens alongside longer-season vegetables, using every opening in your greenhouse to maintain continuous harvests from early spring through late fall—without needing a rigid chart, just readiness and smart succession planting.


My crazy dogs

Corle ran ahead of me on the beach and stuck her head right into a dead seal. And then she took a big bite. 

What Are the Tips to Maximize Bumper Harvest? September Greenhouse Gardening

Quick Answer:

What Are the Tips to Maximize a Bumper Harvest?
To maximize your fall greenhouse harvest, start fast-growing crops like radishes, spinach, and mustard in late summer, and experiment with resilient plants like sesame for high yield with minimal water. A greenhouse extends the growing season beyond outdoor limits, especially in northern climates, allowing gardeners to produce fresh food well into fall. By donating excess produce, greenhouse growers can also support food security and uphold the human right to access fresh, healthy food.


What would Donna do?

New Crops and Bumper Harvests

I’m flying home through Calgary into Comox on my way back from a speaking gig. It’s late August and the pilot warns us: it is snowing close to Calgary. In August.

BC Greenhouse with Five-wall polycarbonate.

What Are the Benefits of Fivewall Polycarbonate for My Greenhouse?

Quick Answer:

Fivewall polycarbonate is a durable, energy-efficient glazing option with high insulation (R-value 3.03), 62% light transmission, and excellent structural strength—making it ideal for cold climates, snow loads, and year-round greenhouse gardening.


What is Fivewall Polycarbonate Glazing?

BC Greenhouses has been working with this glazing product for a few years. It was so impressive in terms of its energy efficiency that we built a new aluminum framing system to accommodate the wider profile. For example, a typical single glass greenhouse glazing is 3mm in thickness whereas the Fivewall polycarbonate is an impressive 16mm.

greenhouse in garden

What Are the 5 Easy Steps to Start My Greenhouse Garden Today?

Quick Answer:

What are the 5 easy steps to start my greenhouse garden today? To kickstart your greenhouse garden, begin by buying ready-to-plant vegetables, adding quality soil or potting mix, and growing in nursery pots if beds aren’t built yet. How do I quickly set up a productive greenhouse space with minimal effort? Install shelves for vertical growing, personalize your space for comfort (yes, even a chandelier!), and remember: starting small today means thriving plants tomorrow.


Setting Up Your Greenhouse: The box has finally arrived - the greenhouse is assembled. Now what?

I called Rodney a year after his greenhouse was installed. I expected him to brag about the size of his tomatoes or the hours he spends sitting and enjoying the beautiful space he created.

Winter vegetables growing

What Are the Tips for Managing & Double Cropping? Summer Prep for Winter Greenhouse

Quick Answer:

What are the tips for managing and double cropping in a greenhouse to prepare for winter? Effective greenhouse management in summer involves double cropping fast-growing plants like radishes between slower growers such as peppers, using trap crops like beans to monitor pests, and starting winter-hardy crops early to maximize space and season length. Planning ahead by maintaining seedlings in flats and supplementing nutrients ensures continuous, healthy growth, allowing gardeners to transition smoothly from summer to fall and winter crops. This strategic approach optimizes greenhouse productivity year-round and helps prevent common pest issues.


Surprisingly, Summer is the perfect time to prep for winterization

Managing your winter greenhouse with crops coming and going is a bit of an art form, so please bear with me. It involves starting seeds directly in greenhouse soil and also starting seeds in flats on shelves or potting benches.

Donna Balzer in her greenhouse, reading a book.

How Can I Cool Down My Greenhouse Using Shade Cloth?

Quick Answer:

Installing a UV-stabilized shade cloth over your greenhouse in late spring reduces heat buildup, lowers pest pressure, saves water, and protects plants—especially in polycarbonate or glass structures—while offering seasonal flexibility to match changing light and temperature needs.


Benefits of Shade Cloth

I’m sitting in my greenhouse sipping a cool drink as I look outside. With the current heatwave this is positively the coolest spot in the garden right now. But it didn’t use to be that way. Scorched leaves, dry soil and wilted, bolting lettuce used to be the norm.

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Installation of a Traditional greenhouse

How difficult is it to build a kit greenhouse?

BC Greenhouses are built for North American climates with aluminum and high-quality glazing. While this isn't your standard furniture build, we do provide comprehensive instructions to help you get through the process smoothly.

Difficulty Level