SHARING SECRETS: Tips For Getting A Constructed Greenhouse
- k-england
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Edited by Cathy Tylka, for Let’s Talk Plants! January 2026.
Question for this month is from Tynan Wyatt…
Does anyone have tips for a constructed greenhouse? What size did you go with? Materials? What has been the upkeep? What would you do differently?
And now for answers…
Gerald D. Stewart of 92084 recommends…
… some points to ponder:
1. Full sun, you can add shade if it's too much.
2. Make it as large as you have room for. I've never known anyone to complain their greenhouse is too large.
3. Go with a metal frame. No matter how careful you are, all wood rots, and it's a pain in the you-know-what to renovate. I have both wooden and pipe greenhouses.
4. Ventilation is critical. On a sunny day it is easy for a closed greenhouse to get to 120º.
5. Don't make the aisles too narrow.
6. Bench height: play around in advance and find the height that is most comfortable for
you. Bench layout: remember to consider how you are going to irrigate.
7. If irrigation is with a hose, be sure the hose doesn't get tangled around benches.
8. Be sure the access door is wide enough for what you will be taking in the greenhouse, initially, and in the long run.
9. If you are going to have gravel for the floor, I'd suggest 3/4" crushed rock. Decades ago, I tried pea gravel. When the dirt is muddy, the pea gravel disappears. The 3/4" crushed rock installed 40 years ago is still as good as new. If the rocks bother your feet, get super cushioned shoes.
10. Oh, one last thing! I have learned to choose only water-resistant tops for the super cushiony shoes I wear. I bought a super cushiony pair of New Balance, and the first time I watered in them, I was sloshing around in water in the shoe. Many "cloth" tops let the splashed water go right through.
Cathy Tylka of 92026 shares…
…there are many Facebook Backyard Garden House groups that can be joined for other data and, quoting Wikipedia lets us know that there are several things to consider when constructing a greenhouse:
“When building a constructed greenhouse, it is essential to consider several key factors to ensure a successful and productive greenhouse.”
Here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
Location: The greenhouse's location is crucial for its success. It should receive ample sunlight, preferably facing south to maximize exposure. Avoid locations with obstructions that could block sunlight.
Type: Determine the type of greenhouse you need based on your gardening goals. This could be a freestanding structure for more growing space or a separate building near an outdoor garden.
Proportions: Choose the proportions of the greenhouse to fit your space and gardening needs. Consider the size of the greenhouse and allow for expansion.
Frame and Form: The frame and form of the greenhouse should be designed to provide the bestpossible light and ventilation.
Lights, Water, Action: Ensure that the greenhouse has adequate lighting, water supply, and necessary actions for plant growth.
Permits Needed: Check if any permits are required for building a greenhouse in your area.
Cost: Be prepared for the costs associated with building a greenhouse, which can range from DIY kits to high-tech structures.
By carefully considering these factors, you can create a greenhouse that meets your gardening needs and provides a microclimate ideal for plant growth.
Karen England of 92084 does not have a greenhouse, …
… but she worked in and around them for 50 years.
When she was a twelve-year-old kid and learning to drive the gas/electric carts at her cousin’s nursery, Sunshine Gardens, she knocked down a whole huge wood and shade cloth greenhouse when she clipped a rotted corner post with the cart. Now in her mid-60s Karen still has not lived this escapade down.
That said, in 2010 she and her late husband constructed a steel building instead of a greenhouse at their property. She calls it “the barn” and it is a two-story gigantic steel structure purchased as a kit. Apart from price differences, there may be some similarities to getting a constructed greenhouse, so she mentions it here. It required a permit (not an easy task to get as it turned out, delaying the project) and then it took several lengthy stages to get erected.
1. A concrete pad was poured and cured.
2. The building kit was delivered.
3. At an extra cost, a crew was scheduled to erect the structure with us and friends – a little like an old-fashioned barn raising.
4. Once constructed, the barn interior was fully insulated (because steel buildings in Southern California can get unbearably hot otherwise) before anything inside could be built.
The finished building is multi-use, unlike a greenhouse, very stout and will last for years to come. She cannot knock it down with a cart…
Send Karen an email at info@sdhort.org if you would like the link to the company that she and her hubby used to get their steel barn. (They are still in business, and she gets no kick back from them...)
Question for next month’s Sharing Secrets…
What is in season and blooming in your garden or in the gardens of those around you, that makes you happy? Take a photo and send it too if you can.
Winner of the hat for the last three months… winner is pulled from the folks who have shared their Secret in the monthly Sharing Secrets Column.
And the winner is Joan Herskowitz!!!!
Contact Karen England, info@sdhort.org, to find out how to get you San Diego Horticultural Society Hat!
Why are you seeing this? Because you might not remember that we have it.
The funds garnered from this enterprise is to support our scholarships. And, since it’s the Holiday Season, you might want to use this for a dual purpose!!!
