Buying a Greenhouse – Here Is What To Know
While those of us who live in Rhode Island know, there isn’t a better place to be than on the coast of Rhode Island from May – September. And why not, with our sandy beaches, live music on every corner, local seafood available fried or fresh, and abundant local farmers’ markets to enjoy fresh and delicious local produce.
But let’s be real for a minute.
The other months of the year can be a little…long. Past the holiday glee and into the new year, our days are short, the skies can be gray, and that northeast breeze bites just a little harder in March. As April rolls around, the green thumbs in us all just wish for an early growing season to see the new birth of green sprouts, and feel the warmth of a warmer season just around the corner. That joy can best be manifested with your own Greenhouse.
Greenhouses in New England
Rhode Island and the surrounding area have a climate that truly benefits from a well-positioned greenhouse. Trapping solar heat, blocking cold coastal winds, and protecting plants from unpredictable spring and fall frosts allow for an increased growing season, not to mention lifted spirits.
That being said, not all yards are created equal. And we know a thing or two about what makes for a great greenhouse installation and growing season. Given that, we wanted to share the top 10 things to consider when purchasing a Greenhouse in Rhode Island.
10 Things to Consider When Purchasing a Greenhouse in Rhode Island
#1 SNOW
Odd, right? We want to create a utopia of bright, warm, and green – and we’re telling you to think about snow?
Yes.
Here’s why.
Your Greenhouse will sit in your yard year-round, fighting the elements. The lower-end greenhouses you can find online may work well enough in, say, Georgia or Texas where snowfall is minimal. But here in Rhode Island, you will want a well-built greenhouse with all-weather framing, durable paint, and thresholds that can withstand our harsh New England winters. The sturdier the greenhouse you purchase, the better you will feel when that [gulp] 3′ blizzard rolls through town.
When shopping for a Greenhouse in
Suntuf Roofing on strong framing roof.
New England, strong roof panels like Suntuf’s Polycarbonate roofing make all the difference.
#2 SUN ACCESS
We recognize that being told to consider the sun position in an article about greenhouses may sound like recommending a toaster when wanting to make toast; we promise, this is actually important.
Where you position your greenhouse, its proximity to the sun, and its relationship to other structures will really help you maximize the growing potential.
Ideally, you should position your greenhouse south of any existing buildings; if that is not possible, then east of existing structures. This will allow your south-facing entrance to collect sun most of the day and start the heating process early. It will also allow your long sides to capture an equal amount of sun during the day. Here is another great article about the positioning of a greenhouse and things to consider.
#3 WATER ACCESS
Will you be able to connect to an outdoor spigot? External house hose bib? Rain barrels? Or will you be filling a watering can in the kitchen to bring the water to your greenhouse?
Knowing what your water access points throughout the year will be, and planning ahead before your greenhouse is installed, will make all the difference.
Tip: Consider adding gutters and a rain barrel if installing a peaked-roof greenhouse to your yard, for a very accessible – and affordable – watering can spot.
#4 INTERNAL LAYOUT
Not all greenhouses are created equal, and often the low-cost ones you find online may have minimal shelf configurations or not be planned for the size of plants. When planning to own a greenhouse, keep the following in mind, especially if you have the ability to custom order your own greenhouse.
A. What do you want to grow?
If the answer is something tall like a lemon tree, you will want to
configure a space to fit that tree. If it was microgreens, you may want the ability to add more
Standard height location for shelves.
shelving all the way around.
B. How tall are you?
While the standard height for our greenhouse shelves works for most, we have in the past adjusted shelf height – both up or down – to accommodate customer height. Why step up on your tiptoes, use a ladder, or be scrunched over if you don’t have to?
#5 POWER ACCESS
While not required for a successful greenhouse, many green thumbs like to have power run to their greenhouse. Some for decorative reasons, providing accent lights, or a lit pathway to the greenhouse.
Others for more practical reasons, like installing a fan. Having a fan in your greenhouse can help with temperature control, mitigating moisture, and providing a fresh-air breeze that both encourages photosynthesis and mimics a natural breeze for stronger stems.
If you want to do any of that, you will want to consider your access to power for your greenhouse.
#6 STORAGE
When considering having a greenhouse, you will want to think about the “stuff” that accompanies this new hobby. Watering cans, bags of dirt, gardening tools, etc. Or perhaps your greenhouse may also need to store small handheld tools for your yard. Depending on the type of Greenhouse you buy, some have storage areas built in, which can provide the best of both worlds between having a greenhouse as well as additional, dry, outdoor storage.
#7 STYLE
Greenhouses do not have to just be about function; they can be about style as well! Consider purchasing a greenhouse that is built of solid materials that can be painted. We find our customers’ favorite part about ordering a Greenhouse, is trying to decide if they want it to match
A grower greenhouse closer to a home for easy access.
their house or be a bold and fun color that stands out. Either way, if you buy a greenhouse built to last, make sure it can look as good as it functions.
#8 Cooling it Down
Here in Rhode Island, your best months to utilize a Greenhouse are from late March to early December. The reality is, in the dead of winter, our days are just too short, and temps are too low, to grow.
The flip of that, however, is that our summer months can reach up into the 90s, and without a cooling plan for your greenhouse, it will exceed 110 degrees very quickly. Even in the spring, the heat will feel glorious in the greenhouse! But your plants may need a break. 
Think about what your cooling plan will look like. Do you want a greenhouse with adjustable windows? Do you want it to have an exhaust fan? Will you have a door you can prop open? Maybe it will be a combination. Considering how to cool the greenhouse is almost as important as its positioning for heating.
#9 Cost
A quick internet search for “Greenhouses near me“ will provide hundreds of choices, from DIY plastic hoop houses to professionally built and installed ones like ours. Your budget will dictate a lot of the above-mentioned considerations, as it should. How long you intend to utilize your greenhouse may always weigh on your investment decisions.
One thing we know from living in Rhode Island and experiencing a wide range of weather patterns: Investing in a high-quality, weather-hardy greenhouse now can help save you thousands later.
#10 Local Zoning and Permits
It’s important to talk to your local zoning department to determine the feasibility and any other prep work you may need or want to do, prior to the build or delivery of your greenhouse. Every state – actually, every town – may have different considerations.
Additionally, depending upon if you want your greenhouse installed on a stone pad, concrete slab, or concrete pillars, may require a permit or review before installation.
In Conclusion
These are the top 10 considerations we have for you when shopping around for a greenhouse in New England, and especially Rhode Island. Once it’s installed and setup, the joy a Greenhouse can bring is truly something special! Many of our staff enjoy the extended growing season as well. Have a question about greenhouse use? Ask us now.
If you are interested in learning more about the Greenhouses we sell or the available customizations, you can find more information at this link.
