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Whether you are a hobby gardener, homesteader, or market gardener, the ability of a greenhouse to extend your growing season gives you an advantage in terms of self-sufficiency, production, and seed starting.

With the right eco-friendly greenhouse kit, you can start seeds earlier, grow heat-loving vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, and even continue growing through the winter months.

No matter which greenhouse kit you choose, there are some things you can look for to make sure it's as eco-friendly as possible.

For example, can you build it from reclaimed materials? Can you buy it second-hand?

If you're building a kit, can you make sure it's made from long-lasting materials?

Eco-friendly greenhouse kits can be more efficient in terms of insulation, and they may be easier to set up and maintain. Additionally, purchasing a kit from a reputable company can ensure that the materials used in construction are non-toxic, and that the kit is designed to last for many years.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to buy a kit or build a greenhouse from reclaimed materials will depend on your individual needs, skill set, time, and priorities.

By asking these questions, you can make sure you're investing in a greenhouse that's good for the planet as well as for your garden.

However, if you're concerned about the environment and want to minimize your impact, you might be wondering what the most eco-friendly options are. Here, we'll take a look at some of the best greenhouses for gardeners who want to grow sustainably.

What to look for in a sustainably built greenhouse or hoop house:

• Can you build it from reclaimed materials? If so, make sure that no toxic paints or materials were applied, and that any wood is untreated
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• Can you buy it second-hand? Occasionally I will see greenhouses and hoop houses of various sizes for sale on craigslist. The same principles apply as reclaimed materials: make sure no toxic materials were used in the process of building the structure.
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• Is a kit your best option? If building from a kit, make sure you invest in long-lasting and non-toxic materials. Keep in mind that kits can be more efficient in terms of insulation and can take less time to build.

Option 1: Make your own sustainable greenhouse from reclaimed materials

If you're looking to build your own eco-friendly greenhouse, making it from reclaimed materials is a great option.

In this video, Huw Richards shows us the ingenuity of Jack First, a Welsh gardener who has put a lot of research into the idea of hot beds. He also has a fondness for working with affordable materials, as you can see from his greenhouse, which is mostly made from recycled materials.

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Next, in this tutorial, we see plans for a 100% recycled greenhouse, made from reclaimed windows and doors.

Lastly, this greenhouse is beautifully made from reclaimed materials, including tall french windows and even has a stained glass decorative piece towards the top of the structure.

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Option 2: Purchase a greenhouse kit with top quality materials

If building a greenhouse from reclaimed materials is not an option for you, purchasing a greenhouse made with high-quality, sustainable materials is the next best choice.

In this section, we'll take a look at some of the best greenhouse options on the market that are as sustainable as possible and built to last.

Replace plastic panels with a stunning glass greenhouse:

Janssens Royal Victorian 19.917-ft L x 12.583-ft W x 9.167-ft H Dark Green Greenhouse

The 19.9 ft x 12.5 ft Janssens Royal Victorian greenhouse is a high-quality greenhouse option that is absolutely gorgeous and built to last.

The aluminium framing is sturdy, and the greenhouse is made with 4mm tempered glass, which is thicker and stronger than other glass greenhouses at comparable price points.

The glass windows are sealed with rubber to add to the insulation value, and the roof comes with built-in ventilation.

The greenhouse also includes 2 full length gutters and downspouts, perfect for adding a rainwater catchment system.

The greenhouse can sit on flat ground for in-ground planting, or can be put on a wood or concrete platform for container gardening. Additionally, free delivery or pick-up is included.

This glass greenhouse has many features:

• free delivery or pick-up included
• strong aluminium framing with thick 4mm tempered glass
• provides 250 square feet of all-season growing space
• very little plastic included in assembly
• glass windows are sealed with rubber
• comes with a glass sliding door
• roof comes with built-in ventilation
• includes 2 full length gutters and down spouts
• flexible options for location and base

Use Less Plastic with a Cedar Frame Greenhouse:

8' x 12' Cedar Greenhouse

The 8x12 Cedar Greenhouse is a great option for gardeners who want to use less plastic in their greenhouse, but is at a more affordable price point than an all glass option.

The bottom 1/3 of the wall is made from western red cedar, and the rest of the structure is made with sturdy 6mm thick polygal twin wall polycarbonate. The cedar is unstained, but you can treat it with an eco-friendly and non-toxic weather-resistant stain if you wish. Western red cedar lasts up to 25 years untreated + up to 40 years treated, so the structure has a long lifespan.

The greenhouse is also designed with various forms of ventilation, from the dutch door to the roof and wall vents.

Additionally, eartheasy has payment plans available through PayPal.

This cedar greenhouse is:

• sturdy construction made with western red cedar
• we like that there is less plastic in this model with the bottom 1/3 of the wall being made from cedar
• cedar is unstained, if you wish you can treat it with an ecofriendly and non-toxic weather-resistant stain
• comes with various forms of ventilation
• eartheasy has payment plans available through paypal

Redwood Frame Construction on the Sunshine Greenhouse

8 Ft. W x 16 Ft. D Hobby Greenhouse

The Sunshine Greenhouse is a top-quality option if you're looking for a wood frame construction greenhouse with more surface area for light to come through.

It is made with a redwood frame, and double-walled polycarbonate panels. For ventilation, it comes equiped with a solar-powered vent opener. Additionally, it is topped with a roof that has a 45-degree slope which allows for more light to come through your greenhouse in the winter.

This greenhouse has the bonus of being complete with an included foundation system.

This sturdy greenhouse is:

• made with redwood frames, an extremely sturdy material
• double-walled polycarbonate panels
• equipped with a solar-powered vent opener
• topped with a roof that has a 45-degree slope to capture more light during the winter months
• complete with an included foundation system

Cedar Raised Bed and Greenhouse kit

Cedar Complete Raised Garden Bed Kit with Greenhouse Cover 8' x 12'

This option is a combination raised bed and greenhouse. This is a great option for gardeners looking for their first greenhouse, as it’s easy to grow in the built-in raised beds. For some people, growing in raised beds might be the best option, since it allows for you to have full control over the soil content, and also the height of these raised beds makes them more accessible.

While the r-value of the greenhouse top may not be as high as polycarbonate panels or glass, this kit will still extend your growing season.

The kit is made from untreated cedar lumber, which is long-lasting, non-toxic, and durable, and includes 65 square feet of planting space.

The deep raised beds allow for placing your greenhouse on any surface. With this kit, you can work towards self-sufficiency as you extend your growing season.

This raised bed greenhouse includes:

• untreated cedar lumber base
• easy to install greenhouse cover
• 65 square feet of planting space
• flexibility in placement on any flat surface

Long-lasting USA-made Greenhouse Kit

Riverstone MONT Greenhouse

The Riverstone MONT greenhouse is a great option for gardeners who want a durable, long-lasting greenhouse that can withstand tough weather conditions.

Made in the USA with commercial-grade materials, this greenhouse has an 8mm UV-stable twin-wall polycarbonate panel design that allows for growing year-round with minimal heating inputs.

It also includes a base, rainwater gutter system, and a solar-powered roof vent opener, making it a great option for those who want to catch rainwater and save on energy costs.

The greenhouse comes with a 10-year warranty, and its sturdy construction and lead-free aluminium frame ensure that it will last for many years to come. With a range of sizes available, you can choose the perfect greenhouse to suit your needs.

The MONT greenhouse boasts:

• made in the USA
• shipping included in cost
• 10 year warranty
• sturdy lead-free aluminium frame
• 8mm UV stable twin-wall polycarbonate panels
• includes a base, rainwater gutter system, and a solar-powered roof vent opener
• has a 7ft 6 inch peak height and various length options
• takes around 3 days to complete and is easy to assemble with a twist and lock single bolt construction

Durable Greenhouse Kits for Snowy or Windy Locations

RIGA Greenhouse

While the Riga greenhouse is not made in the United States, it is one of the highest-rated greenhouses across various platforms.

If you're looking for a greenhouse that can hold up against strong winds and heavy snow, the RIGA Greenhouse or RIGA XL Greenhouse might be your best option.

These models come with a 10-year warranty and are built to last. The panels are made from UV treated polycarbonate, and the heavy-duty frame is made from smooth-finished, long-lasting anodized aluminium. The regular size has side panels with 8mm twin-wall polycarbonate and the front & back panels are 10mm twin-wall polycarbonate; the XL size is 16mm triple-wall polycarbonate all around.

The Dutch door has the capability to lock, and the XL size comes with a front and back door while the regular size comes with a front door and a large back window.

This is also a flexible option with room for in-ground gardening or container gardening with added shelving.

The RIGA greenhouse:

• comes with 10 year warranty
• is built to withstand snow and winds
• has strong polycarbonate UV treated panels
• is built to last with a heavy duty frame
• comes with a dutch door that has the capability to lock
• has ventilation included in the roof
• is great for in-ground gardening and/or container gardening with the added shelving option

Eco-friendly Greenhouse Kits: the future of greenhouse design

We hope that the future of greenhouse design will involve more sustainable materials and construction methods, especially since so many are made with plastics.

We are inspired by Eliza Hague, a student at the University of Westminister, who designed a greenhouse covered with a bamboo shellac material instead of plastic. Bamboo is a sustainable material and the shellac is made from tree resins.

Bamboo-Shellac Greenhouse by Eliza Hague

By continuing to innovate and prioritize sustainability, we can create greenhouses that are even more eco-friendly and efficient.

For now though, investing in a reclaimed or long-lasting greenhouse is a great way to extend your growing season and become more self-sufficient.

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