Weather or Not

Fast-Start Greenhouse Yields Tomatoes in May

Julie Clay starts seedlings in her Fast-Start Greenhouse, which is tucked into a side yard beside her house.

"I started looking for a greenhouse many years ago -- one that would fit into a small side yard next to the house," she said. "When I saw your Fast-Start Greenhouse, I went out in the snow and measured and said to my husband, 'I think it will fit!'"

Once the snow had melted, Julia asked her husband to remove all of the stuff they were storing in the side yard so she could measure properly. It looked like the greenhouse would fit perfectly, so she ordered the greenhouse.

After the greenhouse setup was complete, Julia put a thermometer inside. Though the outdoor temperature dropped down to about 10 degrees, it stayed balmy inside the greenhouse. That's when Julia moved in.

"The first thing I did was put a chair in the greenhouse. I'd go outside and drink my coffee in there every morning," she said. In fact, Julia's husband thinks the greenhouse has helped her get through the winter months without experiencing the usual lows from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

One night last winter, the outdoor temperature got down to 5 degrees and inside the greenhouse it dipped down to 27 degrees. So Julia decided to purchase an inexpensive greenhouse heater. She expected it to be an energy hog, but when it only added about $5 a month to her electric bill, she decided it was a good investment.

With raised beds, you can grow crops right in the ground.

Since Julia has been gardening for many years, she already has a whole arsenal of favorite tools. She recycles her pots each year, so all she usually needs to buy is soil. Her new greenhouse has been a very welcome addition to her gardening equipment.

"This greenhouse is great for anyone who likes to putter and garden," she said. "It's a good choice if you're thinking of buying a greenhouse but don't want to make a huge investment."