Grow Year-Round With a Greenhouse
A greenhouse extends your growing season to 12 months, protects tender plants, and lets you start seeds weeks before the last frost.
Why it works
A greenhouse is a game-changer for serious gardeners. It extends the growing season by 2–3 months on each end, protects tender plants and seedlings from frost, creates a warm microclimate for heat-loving crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers produce far more in a greenhouse than outdoors), and provides a pleasant working environment in poor weather. Even a small lean-to greenhouse against a sunny wall dramatically expands what you can grow and when you can grow it.
How to achieve this look
Choose a type based on space and budget: lean-to (against a south-facing wall), freestanding (maximum light), or cold frame/polytunnel (budget options). Materials: polycarbonate panels are durable and insulating; glass is traditional and offers best light transmission; polyethylene film is cheapest for polytunnels. Orient the ridge east-west for maximum winter sun. Include ventilation (roof vents and louver vents at low level create convection airflow) — greenhouses overheat easily. Add a min-max thermometer, staging (shelving for seedlings), and a water supply. For winter use, add a thermostatically controlled heater set to frost-free (35–40°F minimum).
Arden helps you visualize how a greenhouse will look in your garden. Preview different types, sizes, and positions to find the greenhouse that integrates with your landscape design.
"Finally an app that understands outdoor spaces. Every garden plan turned out beautiful."
-- Priya K.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
Q1 What size greenhouse should I get?
Bigger than you think — you will fill it. Minimum useful size is 6x8 feet for a hobbyist. 8x10 is much more practical. If possible, buy the largest you can afford and fit — every greenhouse owner wishes they had gone bigger.
Q2 Do I need planning permission for a greenhouse?
In most areas, a small freestanding greenhouse (under 100 square feet and under 8 feet tall) is permitted without permission. Check local building codes. HOAs may have additional restrictions on placement and materials.
Q3 What should I grow in a greenhouse first?
Start tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers for summer harvest (the three crops that benefit most from greenhouse growing). In spring, use it for seed starting. In winter, grow cold-hardy crops: lettuce, spinach, radishes, and herbs.
Q4 How do I heat a greenhouse in winter?
A small electric fan heater with thermostat is the simplest option — set to frost-free (35°F). Insulate with bubble wrap on the north wall. Solar water drums (painted black) absorb heat by day and release it at night. Many crops survive unheated greenhouses.