Everything is a competition with Harold.  You can’t just go fishing together.  You have to see who catches the biggest fish.  Who catches the most.  Even who catches the smallest.  A running total is kept for the day.  No matter what happens, Harold always thinks he is ahead, except for one occasion.  Harold was fishing with his grandson on one of the tanks at his farm.  I believe what happened is that his grandson was putting a whooping on him. 

So, Harold tried to crowd in on his sweet spot on the tank to try and catch up.  This resulted in Harold getting a fishhook stuck in his jaw from his grandson’s line.  He got a little too close and paid the price.  This is where the story really gets good.  Try as he might, he could not get the hook out of his jaw.  He went to the house to get his wife to help and still couldn’t get it out.  It was the weekend, and his doctor’s office was closed.  Harold really didn’t want to go to the emergency room.  That’s too expensive and takes too long.  So, he decided to call his doctor friend from church to see if he could help. 

The doctor was willing to help a brother in need, so Harold went to his house.  The first words out of the doctor’s mouth after seeing Harold were “the worm is still on the hook”!  It was.  The fishhook was embedded in his jaw with the worm still on the hook.  The doctor was able to safely remove the hook, but it did cause a considerable amount of pain.  Hopefully, this will help Harold to learn that he doesn’t always have to win.  That’s the way I tell the story or maybe he was being a good grandfather teaching his grandson how to fish and in the process took a hook in the jaw. 

Either way, I bet Harold won’t ever get close to another fishermen, even if he is losing the competition.

What to Know Before You Start

For gardeners with big dreams and limited growing seasons, a greenhouse offers a game-changing way to take more control over what and when you plant. Whether you’re aiming to extend your harvest, start seeds early, or just want a space to tinker with plants year-round, building your own greenhouse can be an affordable and rewarding project. But before you start sketching floor plans or buying rolls of plastic sheeting, it’s worth thinking through the essential elements that can make or break your greenhouse’s success.

Start With Purpose

The size of your greenhouse should reflect how you plan to use it. Are you looking to start vegetable seedlings in the spring? Store potted plants through winter? Grow citrus or tomatoes year-round? A compact lean-to or hoop house may be plenty for seasonal starts, but serious hobbyists or those hoping to grow through the winter will want to go bigger.

Make sure to leave room for:

Walkways and workspace

Shelving or tables for plants

Storage for tools, potting mix, and watering cans

And remember: greenhouses heat up quickly, and space gets tight even faster. Most gardeners wish they had built just a little bigger.

Orientation: Let the Light In

In North America, the ideal greenhouse orientation is east to west. This allows your plants to soak up as much sun as possible during shorter winter days. If that’s not feasible due to terrain or structures, a north-south alignment can still work – just make sure there’s nothing nearby casting too much shade, especially in the morning when plants are eager for warmth.

Maximizing sunlight is key, especially if you plan to grow through the colder months. Some gardeners also install reflective surfaces inside the greenhouse to bounce light around.

Frame Materials: Strength vs. Cost

Greenhouses can be built from a wide range of materials, and your choice will depend on budget, weather, and aesthetics.

Common framing materials include:

Wood: Affordable and easy to work with, but can warp or rot over time if not treated.

PVC: Lightweight and inexpensive, but can become brittle in extreme cold.

Metal (aluminum or galvanized steel): Durable and strong, especially for larger structures, but can be more expensive and require specialized tools.

Hoop houses made from PVC or metal conduit are a popular DIY option because they’re easy to build and customize.

Covering Options: Light Transmission and Insulation

What you cover your greenhouse with will impact its ability to trap heat, withstand the elements, and protect your plants.

Common coverings:

Polyethylene plastic (film): Cheap and lightweight; needs replacing every 3–5 years.

Polycarbonate panels: More expensive but much more durable; double-wall versions offer good insulation.

Glass: Classic and attractive, but heavy, expensive, and can be a safety risk in storms or with kids/pets.

Whatever you choose, make sure your covering allows at least 70–90% of light transmission and is UV-resistant if you’re planning long-term use.

Ventilation and Air Flow: Don’t Cook Your Crops

Even in winter, a sunny greenhouse can get too hot. Overheating is one of the most common problems new greenhouse gardeners face. Without proper airflow, temperatures can soar above 100°F – even on a 60-degree day.

Tips for proper ventilation:

Install roof vents or side vents to let hot air rise and escape.

Use louvered vents low on the sides to draw in cooler air.

Consider adding oscillating fans to move air inside and prevent fungal disease.

In hot climates, shade cloth or whitewash can reduce sun intensity during peak hours.

Heating in Winter: Keep It Cozy

A greenhouse can act like a solar collector, but in truly cold climates, that might not be enough. There are a few options to supplement heat:

Passive solar: Use thermal mass like barrels of water or bricks to collect and slowly release heat overnight.

Electric or propane heaters: Easy and effective but can add to operating costs.

Compost bins: Decomposing organic matter generates warmth and can help heat small structures.

Insulating the north wall: This can help hold in more warmth, especially at night.

Seal cracks to reduce drafts, and always make sure heaters are rated for greenhouse use.

Flooring: Function Over Fancy

The best greenhouse floors drain well, are easy to clean, and don’t harbor pests. Common choices include:

Gravel: Cheap, drains well, and keeps weeds down.

Pavers or concrete: Great for accessibility and long-term use.

Mulch or bare soil: Natural, but can harbor insects and diseases.

Some gardeners add weed barrier fabric underneath to reduce maintenance.

Benefits of a Greenhouse

Adding a greenhouse to your property opens up a world of possibilities:

Extend your growing season by months – or even year-round.

Protect plants from wind, hail, and heavy rain.

Reduce reliance on store-bought produce.

Grow delicate or tropical plants not native to your region.

Get a head start on spring with early seed starting.

It also creates a dedicated space to work, experiment, and unwind.

Cautions and Considerations

While greenhouses can be a huge asset, they’re not entirely hands-off. A few things to watch for:

Overheating in spring and summer – this can fry tender plants fast.

Humidity – too much moisture can cause mold or mildew.

Pest buildup – aphids, whiteflies, and fungal gnats can thrive in enclosed environments.

Energy costs – especially if you heat or light the structure.

Maintenance is key. Like any structure, a greenhouse needs routine checks, especially before big temperature swings.

Building a greenhouse doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require some planning. The best structures balance sunlight, airflow, and insulation – and are built to match the goals of the gardener using them. Whether you go simple with a hoop house or invest in a permanent framed structure, the benefits of having a space dedicated to growing can be felt in every season.

References

University of Missouri Extension: “Building a Hobby Greenhouse”

University of Minnesota Extension: “Greenhouse Structures”

Mother Earth News: “DIY Greenhouse Plans”

The Old Farmer’s Almanac: “How to Build a Greenhouse” Penn State Extension: “Green

By: Lacey Vilhauer

Total Time: 3.5 Hours | Serves 10-128

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup milk
1 package of instant vanilla pudding mix 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 3 cups heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 box vanilla wafers
4 bananas, sliced into coins
2 tsp. sugar

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, vanilla pudding mix, and sweetened condensed milk. Whisk thoroughly, breaking up any lumps and refrigerate for at least 5
minutes, or until set. In another large bowl, combine heavy cream and vanilla. Beat until stiff peaks form, 2-3 minutes. Set aside half of the mixture for topping the dish. Fold remaining half into the pudding mixture.

Cover the bottom of a 3-quart trifle dish with vanilla wafers. Top with one-third of
the pudding mixture. Cover with another layer of the wafer cookies–you may want to also stand some cookies up vertically, sou can see the full circle along the edge of the trifle dish. Top with an even layer of banana slices. Continue layering the pudding, wafer cookies and banana slices until you reach the top, ending with a final layer of banana pudding.
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Sweeten the remaining whipped cream by adding the 2 teaspoons of sugar and stirring to combine. Just before serving, dollop on top of the banana pudding, then sprinkle crumbled wafer cookies on top.