Gardening in greenhouses has become increasingly popular due to three trends which affect gardeners everywhere:

1. New Materials Have Made Greenhouses Less Expensive and Longer Lasting
   Greenhouses have become much more affordable recently because of new materials which lower the cost and increase the lifespan of modern greenhouses. Manufacturers have responded to these developments by producing a wide variety of new greenhouses of all sizes and styles, and in a wide range of cost.
2. Food Security is Enhanced with a Home Greenhouse
   To many people, faith in food security is shaken by each new report of outbreaks of sickness from various produce providers. Also, the cost of food, especially produce, has risen considerably due in part to transport costs, and it’s getting to the point where it may be healthier, less expensive, and more secure to provide your own food for the family.
3. Climate Change Brings Uncertainty to Outdoor Growing Conditions
   The frequency and strength of seasonal storms is increasing, as predicted by climate scientists. Gardeners across the world are losing crops and topsoil to unusually strong weather accompanied by heavy rains which flood ground crops and wash away topsoil where most soil nutrients reside.

    

   In our garden, we recently had a major ‘November’ storm arrive two months early, breaking many of our tomato plants, knocking over the fall brassicas (cauliflower, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage), soaking the winter squash which should have been curing in the early autumn sun, and throwing our fall fruit harvest off schedule.

   As gardeners, we now have the added risk of unexpected weather events. Growing our principal crops in a greenhouse, or starting crops early in a small greenhouse, is our best assurance of a fruitful harvest in uncertain times.