It has been forty years now since major improvements in materials and design have been integrated into the greenhouse, and it is now very much a feature of any home garden.

One greenhouse principle is the ability to extend the growing season.  Early vegetables can be planted indoors and then transplanted when they mature.  A greenhouse owner also gains several weeks to the growing and sowing period especially if there is a form of heating installed. 

Controlling temperature, light and moisture is one of the things that greenhouse owners can do; this way they obtain the guaranteed results they want.  Our science classes taught us that many plant varieties enjoy a warm, moist temperature.

In addition to extending the growing season and being able to control temperature and moisture inside a greenhouse, a gardener learns to hone his gardening skills by getting acquainted with as many varieties as he can in the greenhouse. 

He may choose to specialize on one species of fruit or vegetable or flowering plant.  Many have built greenhouses for the purpose of growing and preserving their orchids. 

Whatever the intent is, a greenhouse will deliver hours of emotional satisfaction to owners.  Imagine being able to grow juicy tomatoes or producing new kinds of plants by the simple act of propagation.

Don’t be discouraged by the fact that you have limited space in your garden or that is completely paved or concreted.  You can still make use of limited space. 

If space is a problem, there are what people call “free standing” greenhouses that take just a few square feet of space, and some can be installed on balconies or roof tops.