Lots of Ways to Use a Greenhouse! Try These 5

By Jennifer Poindexter

If you have a greenhouse, or are considering building one, it’s important to understand the potential in this one structure.

I’ve had a greenhouse around my property for almost ten years. They’re amazing! I’ve created different types of greenhouses over the years, but no matter the design, I can’t help but appreciate this structure.

If you’re unsure of what you can do with your greenhouse, this quick tip is for you. I’m going to share some of the different ways you can use a greenhouse throughout the year:

Quick Tip: Utilize Your Greenhouse in Various Ways

Greenhouses are great for various uses. Here are some of the ways you may decide to use your greenhouse around your property:

1. Extending a Growing Season

The obvious first use of a greenhouse is extending a growing season. I grow in my greenhouse almost all year long.

The only time I don’t grow much in it is during the hottest portion of summer because I live in a warmer planting zone.

Otherwise, I use my greenhouse to keep fresh greens growing through the colder months.

Whether you’re growing root crops, lettuce greens, or other crops which can thrive a little longer with the protection of a greenhouse, this could be a great way to enjoy more fresh vegetables.

However, it’s important to note, some crops can’t make it through winter in a greenhouse even if it’s heated and insulated. It’s hard to keep a greenhouse warm enough for tomatoes and peppers in most planting zones over winter.

It’s important to understand the benefits and limitations of growing plants in a greenhouse, depending upon the time of year and planting zone.

2. Additional Growing Space

Greenhouses are a great way to have additional growing space. If you have a limited amount of space, add a greenhouse to an area and begin to grow vertically inside it.

This should help create more growing room without eating up your lawn. One of my best years of tomatoes and peppers occurred when I used my cold frame greenhouse for additional growing space.

My plants thrived, and I received a huge harvest from a smaller space. If you’re short on gardening spaces, add a greenhouse and grow more for a longer window of time.

3. Starting Seeds

Greenhouses are a great place to start seeds once the weather warms enough to sustain them. It’s difficult (even with heaters and insulation) to keep a greenhouse warm enough to start seeds all year round, depending on your planting zone.

However, when the weather breaks and your greenhouse stays between 68-degrees and 85-degrees Fahrenheit consistently, it could be a good place to start your seeds.

This keeps the extra clutter out of your home while you start seeds and makes for an easier growing process.

If you’re like me, and you like to start your growing season early, you may still need to start your spring crops indoors. However, when you’re preparing for your summer and fall gardens, your greenhouse is a great place for starting seeds.

4. Garden Storage

I have a greenhouse that is set-up for both growing and storage. Yet, this hasn’t always been the case.

My first greenhouse was a hoop house with garden beds on both sides. There wasn’t much room for storage.

Now, my greenhouse has potting benches which is great for starting seeds and planting in containers. It has a couple of lettuce tables which is a great place to grow shallow-rooted crops.

However, there’s plenty of room for storing my containers, dirt, fertilizers, and other garden related items as well.

If you need additional storage for your gardening supplies, a greenhouse could prove useful. Ensure you take storage into consideration, though, when deciding on the right greenhouse design for your property.

5. Sitting Space

This final idea is something I’ve toyed with over the years. Some people clear out their greenhouses when not in use.

If you don’t garden over winter, you could use this space as a sitting area.

I use my greenhouse over winter, but I still think it would be nice to have a sitting space for enjoyment during this time.

If you have room to create such a place in your greenhouse, then move your lawn furniture into this space, add a small heating source (properly vent your greenhouse for optimal safety), and create a cozy sitting area inside your greenhouse.

These are a few ways you can use your greenhouse. Whether you want to extend your gardening season to keep fresh vegetables flowing into your kitchen, or if you’d like to create a nice sitting space during the cooler months, your greenhouse could prove useful.

Greenhouses don’t have to be expensive and make great DIY projects. Be sure to pick the best design for your greenhouse goals, then add this functional growing space to your property.