These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Gardens, Lawns & Landscapes Home

Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts

How do you decide what size greenhouse to build?

Last Updated: September 05, 2008

View as web page


Available space and cost usually have a large impact on the choice of size for a hobby greenhouse. Keep in mind, however, that a greenhouse that is too small may cost more to operate; this may offset the initial cost of building a larger one.

As a starting point, 100 square feet would be a minimum size, but 200 square feet is better. A house 9 to 14 feet wide by 20 feet long can be managed in a few hours per week. A larger greenhouse can also cost less to cover per square foot than a small greenhouse, so choose a size slightly larger than you think you need.

Browse related Faqs by tag: horticulture, greenhouse, building, size


Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.