5 Benefits of Gardening With a Greenhouse

Hey all! Real Farmer Jeff here.

I recently got a greenhouse and I’m so excited about it! It’s small, but mighty! In this blog post I will explain five key benefits of having a greenhouse that illustrate why they can be a worthy investment. Let’s dive into it!

1. Longer Growing Seasons 

A greenhouse protects plants from frost and cold snaps, letting you start seedlings earlier and harvest later. Heated or well-insulated greenhouses can even enable year-round gardening.

Example: Tomatoes, peppers, and herbs thrive much longer inside a greenhouse than outdoors in colder climates.

2. Controlled Growing Environment 

Greenhouses let you manage temperature, humidity, light, and airflow, creating ideal conditions regardless of weather.

• Protects plants from wind, hail, and heavy rain.
• Allows growing specialty or exotic plants like citrus, figs, or tropical ornamentals.
• Temperature boost: On a sunny 30°F (-1°C) winter day, a greenhouse can trap heat to raise the interior 20–30°F (11–17°C) higher, keeping hardy greens like kale or spinach growing comfortably.
• Supplemental heating: You can add a greenhouse-safe heater, such as an electric fan heater, propane heater, or radiant heater, to maintain consistent temperatures during cloudy days or extreme cold, ensuring plants stay healthy.

3. Protection From Pests and Diseases

A greenhouse is a physical barrier against deer, rabbits, birds, and many pests. It also helps reduce plant diseases by:

• Limiting exposure to soil-borne pathogens.
• Preventing excess moisture from rain that can encourage fungal growth.
• Allowing airflow control to reduce humidity-related diseases like powdery mildew.
• Using proper spacing, ventilation, and clean tools will reduce disease.

4. Better Seed Starting 

Greenhouses create optimal germination conditions:

• Stable warmth accelerates sprouting.
• Higher humidity prevents seedlings from drying out.
• Protection from wind and heavy rain ensures delicate seedlings aren’t damaged.
• Easier hardening off: Seedlings grown in a greenhouse are stronger and more acclimated, making the transition to outdoor conditions less stressful and reducing transplant shock.

Stronger seedlings mean easier transplanting and healthier, more resilient plants.

5. Higher Yields & Faster Growth

Reduced stress, consistent temperatures, and controlled conditions lead to faster growth and larger yields. This can sometimes even be 20-30% more than outdoor crops. In addition, crops will often look more picture perfect because of experiencing less stress.

DIY Option: Build a Hoop House

If you want to experiment with greenhouse gardening without investing in a full greenhouse, a hoop house is a simple, affordable option. Essentially, it’s a taller and more permanent low tunnel, or a mini-greenhouse that sits close to the ground.

Hoop houses are made from bent PVC pipes or metal hoops that are covered with plastic sheeting (often clear or UV-treated polyethylene film) to create a slightly warmer and protected environment for your plants.

How to Build a Hoop House

The most common DIY hoop house is 2-4 feet tall, 4-8 feet wide, and 8-20 feet long, covering a single garden bed or a few rows of plants. The typical entry method is a simple plastic flap at one or both ends that can be rolled up, tied, or clipped for access and ventilation.

1. Frame: Bend PVC pipes or metal hoops and secure them into the ground along the sides of your garden bed.
2. Covering: Drape UV-resistant plastic sheeting over the hoops and secure it with clamps, bricks, or garden staples. A good choice is a UV-treated 6 mil polyethylene film.
3. Access: Create a flap on one side for ventilation and easy access to your plants.
4. Optional Reinforcements: Add stakes or ropes for extra stability in windy conditions.

Pros	Cons
Very easy and quick to build	Doesn’t trap as much heat as a full greenhouse, so it’s less effective in very cold weather
Low-cost alternative to a traditional greenhouse	Inside temperature usually only increases by 5–20°F (3–11°C) depending on conditions
Protects plants from frost, wind, and light snow	Plastic covering may need replacement every few years
Ideal for starting seedlings or lightly extending the growing season	Smaller space with limited control over temperature and humidity

To ventilate a simple garden tunnel, roll up the sides or create flaps at the ends to let hot air escape and encourage airflow. For taller tunnels, small top openings can also help, and you may need to adjust them daily depending on sun, temperature, and wind to keep plants healthy.

Tip: Hoop houses (low tunnels) are perfect for spring and fall extensions or protecting frost-sensitive crops, but for true winter gardening or tropical plants, a full greenhouse is still best.