Building a greenhouse in winter

We got freakishly lucky this January. In the short span of time between the new year and the onset of an old-time New England winter, three weeks later, we managed to build our greenhouse.

As late November 2024, it was still uncertain to me if a greenhouse was in the cards. I had been researching and kicking around the plan all summer and fall without settling on a greenhouse model, size, and best location. I even considered the potential conversion of barn space for growing space.

After much procrastination, hours of exploring all greenhouse models, hours of researching the practicality (or impracticality) of growing seedlings inside one of our barns, I needed to make a decision. So I consulted someone with expertise. In early November Becky from Rooted Flowers came to the farm for a closer look.

With her thoughtful advice, I was ready to commit. In late November with winter at our doorstep, I placed the order for a 30’ x 48’ Northern Greenhouse from Nolt’s Greenhouse supply in PA. I was told to expect delivery in early January.

The greenhouse arrived in the first week of January, as promised. A pile of stuff with no instructions.

Thank goodness for good neighbors. We needed site prep. Neighbor Rob prepped the site!

Sitework was done first week of January - before the ground was frozen.

Rooted Flowers team on the job. Sunk those ground poles in 3’ before the ground froze.

Bones of the greenhouse nearly there.

Putting on the “skin” of the building . . . . in a snow storm.

In less than three weeks from breaking ground, our greenhouse was erected, “skinned” (the process of stretching the two sheets of 6mm plastic sheeting over the entire roof and sides), and floor installed. It was like an act of wizardry.

Because we live in New England on a windy hill, I opted for a few upgrades: rigid polycarbonate panels and sliding doors for the end walls, rollup sides and dual fans for ventilation, a 175,000 btu heater to keep temperatures above freezing, and extra wind braces.

Finished exterior!

Interior details - taken just after the building was “skinned” which is why there’s snow inside.

The plastic landscape cloth went over compacted TRG for a nice, level floor.

Not much left in the budget for benches so we improvised with cinder blocks and free wooden pallets.

Thanks to the help of a neighbor and to Becky and the crew from Rooted Flowers, we were able to move young plants into the greenhouse by early February. It all happened in a flash seemingly. Had there been even a week’s delay in January, it may not have come together in time. No sooner was the building buttoned up, than the heavy snow fall, followed by ice storms set upon us.

Tiny ranunculus sprouts prefer a cool start.

With lights on and the heater running, our seedlings were kept comfortable on cold winter nights.

By March we had our very first blooms!