Best Prepare your Garden for Any Situation with a Greenhouse Kit!

As many homesteaders know, the best way to prepare for anything is to grow your own food. But have you ever thought about how much you could produce if you could grow all year round? It’s entirely possible if you have the best greenhouse kit for year-round gardening.

With the massive weather anomalies happening throughout the country, a lot of families are concerned that they won’t be able to access nutritious foods. Flooding in the Midwest, hurricanes in the South, and late snowstorms throughout the country have plagued American farmers in 2019.

Many devoted pantry stockers have expressed horror at empty store shelves. Some even wondered how they were going to provide an adequate variety of food for their growing children.

But, it doesn’t matter whether you’re prepping in case of a job loss or concerned about the rising cost of groceries. The ability to garden year-round means you can grow and store food for any eventuality.

In nearly every part of the contiguous United States, you can add weeks or even months to your garden’s life with a greenhouse.

More Productive Summer Gardens

If you live in a northern clime, you have a very limited time to get the most out of your garden. What if you could produce seedlings ready to go on the first day you can turn the soil? How much extra time would that give you to can and freeze food for the coming winter?

Even southern gardens can experience an unwanted and unexpected late frost long after The Farmer’s Almanac can predict.

A greenhouse lets you start your seeds as much as two months earlier than your last frost date resulting in a better harvest.

A More Varied Selection

Let’s face it: Some plants just won’t do well if the summer is too short. Some vegetables seem to take forever to grow and mature to harvest.

And while you can often buy early maturing varieties of your favorites, why limit yourself? Especially if you rely primarily on your garden to feed yourself. With the best greenhouse, you can experiment with a few exotic varieties that may not usually have enough time to develop in your growing zone.

Perennial Heaven

If you’ve been following the permaculture movement in your self-sustainability efforts, you may have come across the concept of edible perennials. These hardy producers grow for years without requiring resowing.

However, one significant problem with edible perennials is that a hard frost can really set them back or kill them off completely. With a greenhouse, you can protect your container-grown soft fruits and herbs through the winter so they'll be ready to bloom in spring.

With the right conditions -- such as wintering over in a greenhouse -- you can extend the life of some plants that we typically consider annuals. Eggplant, peppers, and even some cherry tomatoes will continue to produce as long as they stay warm enough.

Once you’ve decided to add a greenhouse to your garden, you’ll need to plan for it. Because unless you're just starting a few trays of seedlings, you’ll need to figure out what type, where to locate it, and how you’ll install it.

Here are some things to consider:

Local Codes

You may be excited about the idea of expanding your gardening into an income-producing activity. After all, once you have the best greenhouse kit, you can sell all those extra seedlings and plants at your local farmer’s market.

However, if you plan to do any commercial growing, you should contact your county extension office for advice. In some localities, you’ll need an inspection and a business license if you plan to sell even a few seedlings or houseplants.

Your county extension office can help you work through the steps you need to take to leverage extra income from your new greenhouse.

Location

Let’s face it: Some plants just won’t do well if the summer is too short. Some vegetables seem to take forever to grow and mature to harvest.

And while you can often buy early maturing varieties of your favorites, why limit yourself? Especially if you rely primarily on your garden to feed yourself. With the best greenhouse, you can experiment with a few exotic varieties that may not usually have enough time to develop in your growing zone.

Perennial Heaven

How much space do you have on your property for your new greenhouse? Do you know what microclimates you have at your disposal?

Your greenhouse needs to get at least six hours of sunshine during the day. So, you may need to trim back some trees or move some bushes. During the winter, the sides of buildings with southern exposure offer the highest temperatures on most properties.

Also, consider ease of access from your home as well as access to water. If you’re planning on adding electricity to your greenhouse, make sure your chosen location will accommodate those upgrades.

Once you have decided where you’ll place it, you can narrow your search to the best greenhouse kit models that will fit in your designated spot.

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Now that you know how much a greenhouse can improve your garden results, you’re probably wondering how to build one. Hiring a contractor to build your greenhouse can be prohibitively expensive. Luckily, you can find many greenhouse kits that are affordable and easy to assemble.

Size

You may be excited about the idea of expanding your gardening into an income-producing activity. After all, once you have the best greenhouse kit, you can sell all those extra seedlings and plants at your local farmer’s market.

However, if you plan to do any commercial growing, you should contact your county extension office for advice. In some localities, you’ll need an inspection and a business license if you plan to sell even a few seedlings or houseplants.

Your county extension office can help you work through the steps you need to take to leverage extra income from your new greenhouse.

When you assemble your kit, you’ll attach this poly sheeting to the frame, which is usually PVC pipe or steel tubing. These plastic sheets come in a variety of thicknesses and compositions.

Polyethylene plastic is a low-cost option commonly found in many kits. You may find this listed from 2 to 6 mils thick, but it’s usually not the most durable option. You can patch it easily if necessary, but experts say it should last about a year.

The best greenhouse kit will offer durable polycarbonate plastic panels. It's similar to acrylic but more flexible and easier to work with. Remember, however, that these kits aren’t just significantly more expensive. They’re also a lot more complicated to install.

If you’re a handy homesteader and have the skills and patience, a permanent installation is truly the best greenhouse kit you can buy. You'll get a decade or more of use from it, so it’s worth it if you have the resources.

Many homesteaders add running water and electric service to their greenhouses. If you’re serious about self-sufficiency, then consider investing the time and money into a permanent greenhouse.

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Since every gardener has different needs, there's one specific greenhouse that's perfect for everyone. However, this list represents a range of sizes, materials, and price points, so you can find one that most closely matches your ambitions.

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If you’re just looking to get a jump on spring planting and need a cozy space for your seedlings, this Wayfair buyers is just the thing.

Measuring 63 inches high, 18 inches deep, and 47 inches wide, it's extra roomy for a compact model. It's tall enough to fit the four included shelves for your seed trays.

The frame consists of modular steel tubing that fits together easily without so much as a screwdriver. The cover is reinforced polyurethane with a zipper front for easy access.

Each of the shelves offers about 14 inches of headroom, which means you have room to hang a grow light or heat lamp if you like.

Gardman is a 27-year-old company based in the United Kingdom, and it boasts that it sources its materials responsibly. It specializes in a wide selection of garden products, including garden décor, solar lighting, and bird feeders.

Some buyers had a little trouble with this small greenhouse in high winds, but note that it doesn’t come with a tie-down kit. Other customers used their own tie-down skills or placed it in an area protected from the wind.

Most happy buyers found it just the right size for starting seedlings. Many found it easy to assemble and said the shelves were extremely sturdy.

Amazon customers awarded the Gardman 7600 an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Wayfair buyers also gave it an average of 4.3 out of 5. Hayneedle reviewers gave it 4.8 out of 5, with most citing its high quality for the affordable price as the reason for their high ratings.

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If you need more room, this newcomer is causing a stir with their generously sized walk-in portable greenhouse.

The assembled kit is 56 inches wide by 56 inches deep, and it stands 77 inches tall, so you can stand comfortably inside while tending your plants.

The frame consists of 16mm powder-coated metal tubing, and the reinforced polyurethane cover is 140G and 0.4mm thick.

The zippered door has straps to hold it open so you can provide your plants with better ventilation on mild days. It also features two side windows with mesh cover to improve airflow without introducing pests.

You get PCS nail stakes and tie-downs for reinforcing your greenhouse against blustery days.

Best of all, this kit includes 12 adjustable wire shelves for placing different plant sizes without wasting space. The shelves measure 24 inches by 12 inches deep. And you’ll also get plenty of headroom to hang lamps or plants.

Although GoSunny is a recent entry into garden products, customers who were willing to take a chance like the product. Most buyers found it reasonably easy to assemble within an hour or two.

Most importantly, most found the shelving sturdy enough for holding up heavy pots and the exterior frame robust enough for the outdoors.

Amazon buyers gave it an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

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This tunnel style greenhouse from Delta Canopy offers affordability, portability, and size. If you’re looking to max out your garden production, you’ll want something spacious. This heavy-duty polyurethane greenhouse delivers and might be the best greenhouse kit for your garden.

This is a professional-grade product and offers some critical features. First, it measures 20 feet long by 10 feet wide and assembles to 7.5 feet high. This is plenty of room to stand in or add lamps or fans.

The frame consists of 1-inch rust-resistant galvanized steel tubing, and the mesh-reinforced polyethylene cover is 180G weight.

It boasts 12 screened vents for ventilation without allowing pests inside. You get two zippered doors at either end, as well. The doors are 62 inches wide and 6 feet tall, so you shouldn’t have any trouble maneuvering in and out with heavy pots.

Delta Canopy is a McKinney, Texas, company that specializes in party tents, carports, and greenhouses. They pride themselves on being a U.S.-based manufacturer with excellent customer service.

Delta Canopy is also accredited with the Better Business Bureau and enjoys an A+ rating.

One problem buyers have had with this model is the anchors included in the kit. While most were happy with the greenhouse, many recommend purchasing additional heavy-duty anchors for better results.

Amazon buyers rated the Delta Canopy 20 foot by 10-foot tunnel greenhouse with an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

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This long, lean model might be the best greenhouse kit for you if you need a narrower footprint in your garden. Measuring 7 feet high by 7 feet wide, it’s 12 feet long, offering 84 square feet to play with.

The frame is powder-coated tubular steel and features middle rails for better stability. It comes with a reinforced polyethylene cover, which is 100 percent waterproof. Best of all, it’s extra-long so you can bury it or weigh it down for better heat retention.

The Velcro and buckle straps make the poly cover just that much easier to secure. You’ll also get 16 stakes, although the manufacturer recommends you reinforce it with extra tie-downs.

This greenhouse has two zippered doors and six screened side vents for superior ventilation.

Quictent is based in Dallas, Texas, and specializes in party tents, wedding canopies, and hothouses. It can boast an A+ rating with the BBB but isn't accredited.

Even the best greenhouse kit can be difficult for most users to assemble. This seems to be a trend, so we may need to discount that as a downfall for any particular model.

Another issue that buyers have with the Quictent model is the need to provide additional staking. Again, this seems to be a trending issue with every greenhouse kit we considered.

The majority of buyers like the Quictent, and even those who had a few problems received stellar company support when they needed to replace missing or broken parts.

Amazon buyers gave the Quictent an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. As a whole, the Quictent company enjoys a 4.0 out of 5-star rating on Trust Pilot.

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This durable greenhouse boasts easy setup and sturdy materials. If you have tender perennials in the ground to overwinter, this is the best greenhouse kit for you. The open-bottom design allows you to set it up anywhere over your existing plantings.

This pop-up design in clear is pretty cute, too.

The Flower House greenhouse measures 6 feet wide by 6 feet long by 6 feet tall.

Made with metal framing and 100 percent waterproof “Gro-Tec” plastic, the cover is UV and rip-resistant for long life.

It features two screen door for improved ventilation without permitting pests. The shelving system is an optional upgrade, but worth considering for its ingenious design.

Flower House, based in Clio, Michigan, offers a wide range of pop-up greenhouses as well as lawn furniture and décor. Their butterfly wrought-iron furniture is particularly attractive, and their hanging hammocks and lounge chairs lend a whimsical touch.

Buyers seemed to have a lot less trouble assembling the Flower House model compared to the other models on our list. That’s a good sign.

Amazon buyers rated this little greenhouse with an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

And while this size model is too new to Home Depot buyers for reviews, their customers love the smaller, 5-foot model. They rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars, with 93 percent of customers recommending it.

Wayfair customers also love Flower House, with this model getting an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars from buyers. One reviewer said, “It’s awesome!!! I would definitely buy anything this company makes.”

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If you're ready for the next level of gardening, you may want to step up to a more permanent solution. The Grandio Elite greenhouse boasts sturdy construction, special features, and a long lifespan, making it the best greenhouse kit if you need a long-lasting solution.

The barn-style frame is heavy-duty powder-coated aluminum, and the walls and ceilings are 10mm double-wall polycarbonate. These semi-rigid plastic panels give you an insulation R-value of 1.89.

Features include two roof vents, a base kit, rain gutters, and a snow load kit. All of these add up to easier maintenance, and you can even use the rain gutters for rain collection.

The floor space measures 8 feet by 8 feet, with a peak height of 8 feet for plenty of headroom.

And best of all, you can get Grandio’s Elite model in larger sizes. If 64 square feet isn’t enough, you can also get it in sizes up to 8 feet by 24 feet.

One of the prevalent problems that buyers had with the Grandio Elite was assembly. This is a permanent installation and won’t go up in a day or two. Several buyers had problems with missing parts or the fact that it took longer than expected.

Buyers on Amazon rated it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars. However, it’s important to note that despite some frustration, once it was assembled, they loved it. In fact, 80 percent of Amazon buyers gave it all five stars.

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If you’re looking for a real focal point in your garden, the Rion Gardener 2 might be the best greenhouse kit for you.

This elegant greenhouse features a heavy-duty resin frame in hunter green. The wall panels are clear, 4mm thick, double-wall polycarbonate. You get the stunning look of glass without the expense.

At 8 feet wide and 12 feet long, it’s quite a dramatic piece. Its peak height is 93.5 inches, or nearly 8 feet tall.

It utilizes a pin and lock connector system for easy assembly.

The roof panels are twin walled to diffuse the harsh rays of the sun. The barn-style roof is also vented to prevent overheating. Or open the double doors to improve airflow.

While you can purchase an additional base kit for stability, note that this model is not portable and needs to be adequately secured. The manufacturer recommends using a concrete pad or timber foundation.

Rion Greenhouses are manufactured by Poly-Tex, a lawn, garden, and agricultural supply manufacturer with over 35 years of experience. Based in Castle Rock, Minnesota, they enjoy an A+ rating with the BBB and have been accredited since 2009.

Like nearly every other model, buyers struggled with the complexity of assembly. Many diligent customers found their patience and hard work rewarded with a beautiful structure for their garden that was also practical.

Overall, Amazon buyers gave it an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. The two individuals who left their ratings for this model on the Home Depot site were more enthusiastic, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. While it also only has two reviews on Wayfair, the average rating was 4.5 out of 5.

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Now that you’ve chosen the best greenhouse kit for your garden, you want to make the most of it. For your plants to survive rough conditions, you’ll need to keep an eye on them regularly.

However, here are a few tips to keep in mind that will make that chore a lot easier.

The optimal temperature for a greenhouse is between 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. While this may seem impossibly high, remember that with the best greenhouse kit, you’ll get higher temperatures.

Most vegetable plants love some humidity, but too much can result in fungal diseases. While each plant has its preference for moisture, most seem to do well at a relative humidity of 60 percent.

So, make sure you check the temperature and humidity in your greenhouse throughout the day. One thing I rely on, whether I’m growing in the winter or summer, is a remote read thermometer. One of these handy gadgets allows me to check the temperature and humidity in the garden or greenhouse without braving the elements myself.

There are a few tricks you can use to reduce or increase temperature and humidity, along with the vents provided by the manufacturer’s design.

If you need to raise the humidity in your greenhouse, you can tuck trays of pebbles under the plant racks and fill them with water. As the heat climbs during the day, the water will evaporate and add humidity to the air.

While wooden shelves absorb humidity, metal shelves won’t. In fact, metal shelving will help collect condensation and allow it to fall to the ground below.

Depending on where you’ve installed your greenhouse, you may want to use pebbles or marble chips on the floor in your greenhouse. Water will evaporate from the surface of the stones, adding humidity, rather than sinking into the ground.   

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Nothing is more exciting to a home gardener than planning for a new growing season. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a hobby gardener, hardcore urban farmer, or a self-sufficiency aficionado.

Even hard-learned lessons from previous seasons can’t dull our enthusiasm when that first seed catalog shows up in the mail.

With the best greenhouse kit, you can get that thrill all year round.

And when it comes to feeding your family, nothing beats fresh, homegrown food. You’ll also know every single ingredient in everything you prepare and store.

Have you ever used a greenhouse before? Did you purchase a kit or build it yourself? If you have any tips for those new to greenhouse growing, please share them in the comments?