It's been a year since our Yoderbilt greenhouse arrived, and it's time for me share how we feel about it! I asked my instagram audience what they were dying to know about greenhouse gardening, and I've included their questions in this post!
Our Yoderbilt Greenhouse + FAQ: Is a Yoderbilt greenhouse worth the investment? How long did it take for my greenhouse to arrive after I placed the order? Is there anything I wish I would have customized differently? Keep reading, I'm going to spill it all.
Ready? Now I'm going to walk you through my thought process for going with a Yoderbilt greenhouse. I've broken this post up into sections and included a jump-to button (below) so you can skip right to the parts you need!
This is my review of my 12X16 Yoderbilt Greenhouse. I was not given free product or any sort of compensation in exchange for this review. The views expressed are my own and are intended for entertainment purposes only.
Jump to:
- My greenhouse goals
- What to consider before buying a greenhouse
- What size of Yoderbilt greenhouse is best?
- Which additional features are worth it?
- How long did it take for my greenhouse to arrive after I placed the order?
- What are the temperature ranges throughout the season?
- What is used as the base or pad under the greenhouse?
- How are Yoderbilt greenhouses delivered?
- What is the cost and is it worth it?
- Is there anything I wish I would have done differently?
- FAQ about Greenhouses
- The learning curve of greenhouse growing
- What to grow in a yoderbilt greenhouse during summer
- What to grow in a Yoderbilt greenhouse during the winter
- Comments
My greenhouse goals
When I was researching greenhouses, the internet became my best friend. I watched countless YouTube videos and read as many reviews on Facebook as I could find, trying to determine which greenhouse was the right one for our homestead.
I was searching hashtags, trying to find people who were currently using a Yoderbilt greenhouse and using my super sleuth skills to determine how satisfied they were with their purchase. There is even a Facebook group called Fans of Yoderbilt Greenhouses that was particularly helpful!
Quality and longevity were two things that were very important to me, but I also wanted a greenhouse that had a functional layout and would be easy to use for starting seedlings during the winter months. Growing tender plants when the outdoor temperatures frequently drop below freezing is impossible without a greenhouse structure that can handle the cold.
The last consideration that was important to me was for the greenhouse to blend in with our landscape. I didn't want a high tunnel or frame that would draw too much attention away from the beauty of our garden and the surrounding prairie.
Our garden is made from mixed materials, including cedar, stained pine and galvanized metal. The Yoderbilt style blended well with our existing setup.
Here's a mood board of our outdoor area (below) so you can get a feel for our homestead and garden esthetic.
What to consider before buying a greenhouse
Let me first tell you about all of the considerations I thought about before choosing a greenhouse for our homestead. My husband and I are semi-serious hobby gardeners in zone 6B.
Our lives are really busy these days with kids activities and work, but I want the option to become more food self-sufficient in the future. It doesn't bother us that we are currently buying much of our produce locally and from the grocery store, but hopefully it won't always be that way!
It was also very important to us to buy an American-made greenhouse. The two brands I narrowed my search down to were a Bootstrap Farmer high tunnel and a Yoderbilt wood and polycarbonate freestanding greenhouse.
Here was my list of requirements for a greenhouse:
- Sturdy: It must be sturdy enough for intense prairie wind and thunderstorms. I specifically wanted a solid wood or steel frame. Just this summer we have had 80+ mile per hour winds that blew over our cattle shed and broke trees. The greenhouse didn't budge!
- Long lasting: Paying for something twice, or three times, just isn't something I am willing to do. I want to buy something high quality and maintain it so that I can use it for a long, long time. I will stain my greenhouse every few years, but that's about it.
- Durable covering: Many greenhouses come with a 6mm polycarbonate sheeting. This might be good enough in a temperate climate, but wouldn't work for us. We need 8mm polycarbonate. We had ping pong ball sized hail this spring and zero damage to the poly. Wining!
- Self venting & windows that open/close: As the temperature fluctuates throughout the day, it is important to me to have proper ventilation. My Yoderbilt has 5 screened windows plus a self venting gable that opens and closes as needed throughout the day. I also leave the double doors open for added air flow most days.
What size of Yoderbilt greenhouse is best?
This is such a personal decision. My budget was small, so I went with a 12X16 greenhouse. If you can afford to go larger, do it! I could easily have filled a 12X32 foot greenhouse if it would have been in the budget.
My sixteen foot greenhouse is very cramped once my seedlings really begin to take off late winter and early spring. I add additional tables as well as utilize floor space. Standing room only when the plants start growing!
Which additional features are worth it?
I did splurge on a few upgrades. The double doors on the front of the greenhouse are AMAZING. If I could only choose one add-on, it would be the doors. Not only does it increase the airflow, but it also makes it so much easier to carry bulky plants in and out.
An electrical package is an upgrade that I added, but have yet to use.
I knew that electricity was a must for adding heat during the winter, but paying for it to be installed is currently on the back burner of our budget. I got a quote, and let's just say it's not happening for a while!
How long did it take for my greenhouse to arrive after I placed the order?
I ordered my greenhouse over the phone while speaking directly with Angela from Yoderbilt. We customized my build and then she emailed me an invoice.
Once the invoice was paid, the greenhouse order was submitted and the building project began. It took about six weeks from the day I placed the order until the greenhouse was delivered to our homestead.
As an amazon associate, this post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
What are the temperature ranges throughout the season?
This question kept coming up over and over again, and you might be surprised by the answer. I purchased an inexpensive bluetooth digital read Govee thermometer and hygrometer so that I could monitor the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse from a distance.
As long as my phone and the device are connected to the same wifi, I'm able to get a reading. If they are not on the same connection, the device records the temperature and humidity and I can download the results whenever I'm ready.
Temperatures in the summertime
Without electricity or shade cloth, the greenhouse averages 10-15 degrees above the outdoor temperatures. If it is 100 degrees Fahrenheit, even with the windows and doors open the inside temp would be a scorching 115 degrees or more.
The best way I have found to decrease the temps without electricity is by using a shade cloth on the outside of my greenhouse. It's not very attractive, but putting this "tinfoil hat," as we jokingly call it, on the exterior of the greenhouse roof as drastically decreased the heat.
I went with a 70% Aluminet shade cloth from Greenhouse Mega Store. It's secured with bungees (also from GMS) and these hooks screwed into the wood trim of the greenhouse.
Temperatures in the wintertime
Now here is where I ran into the greatest learning curve. The summer heat wasn't too much of an inconvenience, because I really don't need to use the greenhouse in the heat. Most of my plants are already tucked into the garden and I'm really not starting many seedlings.
In the fall and winter, though, this is the time when a temperature mistake can kill everything in the greenhouse. I insulated the floors with rubber stall mats from the local farm store. You can see how we did it in this reel. Aaron also installed skirting around the exterior of the greenhouse to block the airflow.
Even with these precautions, I still couldn't hold the temperature above freezing when it got below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. I ended up ordering a radiator style heater and running it with an extension cord from the shed. Not ideal, but I was able to grow throughout the winter this way!
The picture below shows my herbs and cold hearty plants growing well through the winter. You can also see the rubber stall mats covering the floor.
What is used as the base or pad under the greenhouse?
Our greenhouse is on several inches of ¾ inch crushed gray lime stone. It's what our existing driveway was, so it was a logical choice to simply extend it to make the construction pad.
You can choose your base and are responsible for preparing the area prior to delivery. The team at Yoderbilt sent me a detailed email letting me know how to prepare our site for the delivery.
How are Yoderbilt greenhouses delivered?
Our greenhouse delivery was one of the most impressive things we've ever witnessed. It arrived on a trailer, fully assembled. The delivery driver used equipment to place wheels under the greenhouse and could steer it around the yard. It was so cool! Here is an instagram reel that shows our delivery.
One of the things that was a huge relief to us was that we didn't have to have the area perfectly level. Instead, we just had to have a certain number of pavers available for leveling and the delivery driver was able to set the greenhouse down perfectly level using the pavers. Once the skirting is added to the outside, you'll never know the pavers were there.
What is the cost and is it worth it?
It's not cheap, but what is these days? Yoderbilt has a pricing breakdown available on their site so you can know exactly what yours will cost, depending on the add-ons and features you choose. The fee for delivery and tax will vary. I would recommend reaching out to the company and speaking with them directly.
One their website, Yoderbilt.com, you can find their pricing guide and contact information. Travis, Angela, and Shannon made the experience extremely easy and positive! I highly recommend this company (not sponsored, by the way).
Is there anything I wish I would have done differently?
Oh, yes. I should have saved money for six more months and gotten a 12X32 greenhouse. I love my sixteen footer, but I greatly underestimated how much I could grow and the amount of space it requires! Get the biggest greenhouse you can afford, you won't be sorry.
FAQ about Greenhouses
1. Lean-To Greenhouses: Lean-to greenhouses are attached to an existing structure like a wall or a building, which makes them space-efficient and cost-effective. They are great for small spaces and can benefit from the heat of the existing building. However, they may have limited sunlight exposure and ventilation options.
2. Free-Standing Greenhouses: Free-standing greenhouses are standalone structures that come in various sizes and shapes. They offer maximum flexibility in terms of location and layout, providing ample sunlight and better ventilation. However, they may be more expensive to construct and might require additional heating and cooling systems.
3. Hoop Houses & High Tunnels: I strongly considered ordering an All-Steel Hoop House Kit from Bootstrap Farmer. These are really well designed for production growing! Maybe some day! Psst... this is where I buy all of my seed starting & growing supplies including the pots and grow bags in these photos.
4. A-Frame Greenhouses: A-Frame greenhouses have a simple and cost-effective design, with two sloping sides forming an "A" shape. They are easy to build and provide good water drainage. However, the sloped sides may limit usable space and potentially reduce sunlight exposure for some plants.
5. Dome Greenhouses: Dome-shaped greenhouses have a unique appearance and efficient space utilization. They offer excellent resistance to wind and snow loads due to their spherical design. But, building materials for domes can be pricier, and their curved structure might make shelving and organization a bit challenging.
You can grow quite a bit indoors with shelves and grow lights. I know, because I've done this myself! A greenhouse might not be a necessity, but I have loved having one. So, yes. For me personally, it has been worth every penny and a worthwhile investment. When I am in my greenhouse, I just feel so happy and relaxed. It's my favorite place to be!
We placed our greenhouse on 6 inches of crushed limestone rock and concrete pavers. The last step of the installation is adding wood skirting to the bottom of the greenhouse, which, which hides the underbelly. I couldn't think of a better word for that... underside? I don't know, but I think you get what I'm saying.
Absolutely! The biggest benefit to growing microgreens in a greenhouse is that you won't need grow lights or electricity if you live in a sunny location. I also noticed my microgreens were hardier and more robust being grown in the greenhouse versus basement.
The learning curve of greenhouse growing
Before our greenhouse arrived, I considered myself to be a fairly advanced gardener. I'm not trying to sound boastful, but it's been my hobby for decades and I've picked up quite a few tidbits of technical information about plants, soil and environmental factors.
Getting a greenhouse really through me for a loop. I was forced to relearn techniques for germination, watering, ventilation and humidity. The biggest struggle I found was maintaining a consistent temperature for healthy plants.
The greenhouse arrived in May of 2022, and we didn't know it yet, but we were entering into a weather pattern of severe drought and heat. The summer temperatures hovered just over one hundred degrees, and we didn't get two inches of rain in a full year. It was brutal.
My plans for growing summer microgreens and salad greens in the greenhouse were quickly abandoned, but luckily I made up for it the second summer!
How naturally cool a greenhouse
If you learn nothing from this post, please let this sink in.
- Shade cloth: If you live in a high heat area, invest in shade cloth, right from the beginning. Disregard what the websites say, and go with a 70% Aluminet. Yes, they make your greenhouse look a little silly. But the trade off is the filtered sunlight won't burn your plants like an ant through a magnifying glass AND the temps will be at least 10 degrees or more cooler!
- Air flow: Keep the windows and vent fan open as much as possible. Open the doors, too! Add an oscillating fan and try to keep air flowing.
- Filtered light: This is anecdotal and just from my personal experience, but in addition to the shade cloth that covers the outside roof of the greenhouse, I hung lightweight curtain panels on the inside.
What to grow in a yoderbilt greenhouse during summer
This will depend on your goals, but my second year with a greenhouse has been much more successful. Here's a list of what I'm growing currently as I write this in the beginning of August.
- Tomatoes in grow bags: I had several extra tomatoes and no room in the garden, so I planted them in 5-7 gallon grow bags. They set on fruit early in the summer, but I'm experiencing blossom drop from the high heat we've had the last few weeks. Still worth it, though! Just choose hothouse varieties for the best crop.
- Peppers in grow bags: The peppers are thriving in small two gallon grow bags. The banana peppers, pepperoncini and jalapeños are producing well. The bell peppers aren't. Lot's of foliage, no bells.
- Herbs: Last summer I planted herbs in my raised beds, and I still do, but this year I've kept a few back in pots. I will keep these culinary herbs in the greenhouse through the winter.
- A fiddle leaf fig: This is the most surprising plant in my greenhouse. I had a gorgeous ten foot fiddle in our dining room, but after we covered our deck last summer it wasn't getting enough light and slowly began dropping leaves until it was nearly bare. I cut it back until it was just over a foot tall and moved it out to the greenhouse last month. Low and behold, It's growing tons of leaves! I think it's going to be okay! Yay!
- Fall florals and greenery: I have an assortment of pansies and coleus in small pots, just waiting to move outdoors when fall arrives! And I need to start some cabbage and kale this week, too.
- My Greenstalk Vertical Garden: While this tower garden lives on my deck and serves as a culinary herb garden right off my kitchen, I'm moving it out to the greenhouse to overwinter.
What to grow in a Yoderbilt greenhouse during the winter
Now this is where the magic happens! Once I figured out how to keep my greenhouse from freezing by adding rubber floor mats and supplemental heat, it was game on.
While I wasn't able to grow tropical plants that required a warm and humid environment, the cold hardy plants thrived. During harsh cold snaps when the outside temperature was in the single digits or below zero, I draped frost clothes over the plants for insulation.
Here is a list of plants that grew well, despite the average temperature being around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- beets
- peas
- microgreens
- pak choy
- lettuce
- kale
- brassicas (cauliflower, cabbage, brocoli)
- pansies
Alright, friends! I hope this answered your questions about our Yoderbilt Greenhouse. I'd love it if you'd leave a question or comment if there is anything you'd like to discuss in more detail!
If you want to see more of our garden, I recommend reading my Ultimate Guide to Growing Potatoes, Guide for Growing Tomatoes, How to Grow Pumpkins, and When to Plant Seeds in Zone 6B. There is also a category at the top of this post that is simply called 'garden.' Click on it and explore!
Happy gardening!
-Meg
Jessica Robinson
I am beyond inspired to get myself my own greenhouse on our new land after reading this post. SUCH amazing information! Your greenhouse is stunning and so very functional.
Leslie ogle
Very helpful information
I want a GH to save my huge outdoor plants during the winter and grow tomatoes
Did you try to keep any outdoor plants alive?
Meg
Hi Leslie! I do save some of my outdoor plants over winter. It works best when I keep the plants in pots and just move the pots back in before the first freeze. Last year we had an unexpected VERY early hard freeze, and I panicked and tried transplanting many of my favorite plants and herbs. I had a lemon verbena that was nearly three feet tall and gorgeous! Some of the plants survived being transplanted, but most went into shock and didn't make it. My strategy for this fall is to keep my 'favorites' in containers that I can simply move into the greenhouse before it gets too cold. I also have grow bags with peppers, tomatoes and herbs that have been in the greenhouse all summer, and will *hopefully* keep producing into winter. We will see! I hope this helps! Happy gardening!
Marilou Osborne
Loved your article. Thanks for the information.
I am a hobby gardener and have wanted a greenhouse for many years. I would like to either have a lean-to or free standing greenhouse at the top of a concrete driveway. It faces east and will get direct sunlight till about 1:00pm. After that, indirect light and some shade. However, this wall has 2 electric clothes dryer vents and I would like to run them into the greenhouse to help heat it during the winter. Any thoughts or suggestions?