If your houseplant-filled living room is starting to feel more like a jungle or the seed-starting setup in your basement is too cramped, it might be time to consider a home greenhouse. But before clearing out your backyard, it’s important to think about what type of gardener you are so you can choose the perfect fit.
First, do your research. An average home greenhouse is around 8×10 feet, but garden experts suggest going bigger than you think—you’ll be surprised at how quickly the space fills up. For beginners, pre-built greenhouses are the way to go. Stores like The Barnyard on York Road sell standard poly paneled greenhouses of all sizes. You can even customize them by adding windows or some extra height. If you want to use your greenhouse during the colder months, you’ll need to buy a portable heater or two.
If you’re searching for a more unique greenhouse, consider secondhand shops. Mariah Gillis, an Idlewylde resident, purchased an old solarium at Second Chance and turned it into an oasis for tropical houseplants.
“It’s like having 142 square feet of Costa Rica next to my house,” she says. “You just kind of go out and explore and find new things.”
If aesthetics are your priority, a vintage greenhouse is a great choice, but be prepared to spend more on repairs and upgrades to make it gardening-ready.
Once you’ve purchased your greenhouse, it’s time to fill it. For serious home gardeners, it’s a great place to “start” seeds, which is the process of germinating seeds in a protected environment before planting them outdoors. In a warm, enclosed greenhouse, you can plant as early as six to eight weeks before the last frost date, extending your harvest and giving you fresh produce nearly year-round.
After years of starting seeds in her Monkton basement, Lila Shapiro-Cyr upgraded to a pre-built backyard greenhouse she uses all year. “It’s just nice to be out in nature,” she says. “Particularly when it’s cold out, it’s really a nice kind of escape.”
While tomatoes are her favorite thing to grow, other produce, like eggplant, peppers, kale, and lettuce, also thrive.
If produce isn’t your main interest, you might want to grow houseplants or florals for cut flowers. In Gillis’ greenhouse, the result is a peaceful retreat. “I love the surprise when I just let things go wild,” she says. “I always joke that it’s sort of like Jurassic Park.”
You can check out local shops like The Little Greenhouse, B.Willow, and Waverly Ace Hardware to find a wide selection of tropical ferns and orchids. But you’ll need to do a little research before diving in.
Alexia Leeser, the Home Horticulture and Master Gardener coordinator at University of Maryland Extension Baltimore County, stresses “right plant, right place” for new greenhouse owners.
“If you put a plant in an environment where it’s not going to thrive, you’re setting it up for failure,” she explains.
Her advice? Do research beforehand, know what conditions your plants like, do soil tests, and ask for help. If you’re still struggling, submit gardening questions and photos to UMD’s Ask Extension line, where experts respond within 48 hours, free of charge.
For many, gardening isn’t just about the plants—it’s a way to escape the outside world.
“We live in challenging times,” Shapiro-Cyr says. “It’s nice to have a hobby that is good for your mental health.”
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