[Arid_gardener] Re: Greenhouse Required? Benefits?

[Olin Miller]

----- Original Message ----- From: <jmol at q.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:36 AM
> mark 85032>
> I see stores selling greenhouses is that necessary in Az or what would be
> the benifits?
==================================

It depends what you want to grow.  If you want to grow plants that need a
controlled temperature year round a green house would be needed.  Most of
our landscape plants go through a dormant or semi-dormant period during the
cold winter months and during the hot summer months but will come back okay.
Freeze protection using a frost blanket or other appropriate material is
sometimes needed in winter for the less hardy plants.   Some gardeners
believe a greenhouse or heat coil is need to start vegetable seeds in the
winter but I do okay with flourescent shop lights.  I suggest going to one
of the local nurseries like Summerwinds or Harper's and talk to their
greenhouse manager.

I believe many of us think greenhouses are too much trouble, especially for
summer cooloing, but I also know some gardeners that believe they are
essential.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ