Is Arizona too HOT for GREENHOUSES?

If you live in a hot summer climate, you may have wondered if a greenhouse would be beneficial. Questions like:
Would a greenhouse get too hot in Arizona?
How many months of the year could I use the greenhouse?
This video discusses the benefits of having a greenhouse (even in a hot summer climate), the challenges to consider, and the best ways to make the greenhouse a productive space during the year’s hottest months.

Extends the growing season, whether in cold or warmer weather.
The ability to control the environment, including sunlight, temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
Protection from the elements. Little or no damage from insects, birds, and other animals.
Increased water efficiency. Central location for seed starting and gardening supplies.
Place to implement hydroponics or other methods.

Thank you to Larry Burnett for contributing to this post.
Larry Burnett is a retired Administrator from Banner Health and a Partner from KPMG. Larry has lived in Arizona since 1984 and gardened here extensively.

Using these links helps support Growing in the Garden and allows me to continue making videos. Thank you for your support!

#RaisedBedGardening, #GardeningTips, #GardenDesign, #VegetableGardening, #FlowerGardening, #SoilManagement, #GardeningForBeginners, #GardeningHacks

[daphnefoley]

I built a greenhouse in Arizona but I took off the plastic and put on a 30% shade cloth. The plants are happy.

[deedaw]

Building ours this winter!! We live in AZ, we are zone 10a. I've learned more from you than the "master gardeners" where we live.

[MGrace-]

Thank you for the video! I love the concept of a greenhouse here in AZ for plant starts and growing winter veggies, am adding a greenhouse to my bucket list. 🤩

[audriatrapp]

This is awesome and informative. I've always wondered about greenhouses here.

[ernestorvr]

I would consider shading your west side with a solar array. Get some juice for the indoor lights while making the thing self sustaining. Great video, love the explanations!

[Ajtorres]

Hello from Tucson, AZ !!! I have a greenhouse too but I only use mine during winter so I can have a headstand for Spring . I usually sow my seeds around last week of December . Then by 2nd-3rd week of March I put them in my garden ❤️👩🏻‍🌾 . Happy Gardening everyone

[dogchicken]

Put an exhaust fan on one end and a cooler pad on the other end.. drops the inside temp 15-20 degrees in the peak summer heat.

[ACRMedia]

I love learning from others. This man has a beautiful green house!

[terrijohnson]

Thank you, thank you, thank you Angela for posting this video! I'm in zone 10a FL and about to put up a greenhouse. I have collected materials for years and done a lot of research to construct an up-cycled greenhouse. I understand the north - south orientation, but I was concerned about the heat and the sun. Now I welcome the southwest shade I will get from my large fish tail palm. I will make sure to add lots of fans to my 10 by 12 space and a cooling system. Thanks again!

[JJ]

Interesting as I’m not that familiar with greenhouses. Thx for sharing.

[CarolynShort]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m in Zone 9 Central Valley and a friend just gave me a small polycarbonate panel greenhouse. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it or not, or how it would best suit my situation. I see a lot of potential after watching this video.

[alittlechaoticvideos]

I’m so thankful you made a video about this topic. I recently asked in a Facebook gardening group.

[karlswanson]

It would cost more, but adding a layer that's transparent to photosynthetically active light yet blocks dominant infrared—spaced slightly above the main enclosure—might help keep greenhouses cooler in extreme heat.

[Sisteryoda]

That was amazing! I never imagined having a greenhouse in the desert, but he thought of everything. Was wondering if he grows anything during the summer in the greenhouse or if plants are more for the other seasons.
Thank you for this tour - very informative!

[Authoreducator]

Excellent! Ty! Fresno ca zone 9b and have been wanting to put in the exact area u spoke of and was told that was a joke area for a greenhouse. Awesome! Ty:)

[pibblesnbits]

He lost me once he put grow lights in the greenhouse. Might as well put a swamp cooler, fans and grow lights in your garage and grow the plants there. What's the point of the greenhouse at that point?

[emylytle]

If I can get rid of my big pool and just put greenhouse maybe lose $20k-$25k in equity 😬 so my raised bed are outside and looks like forest and he doesn’t like it 😔🤦🏻‍♀️ it’s hard enough for me to water 3 different locations can’t put water irrigation where nobody will have an accident falling. So I can’t and will not have a green house soon. Thanks for sharing your lovely greenhouse I’m in zone 9, California 😊👩‍🌾🙏🏻♥️

[thomaschen]

Great Video! I am interested in the tinting of the greenhouse or the shadecloth used— what brand or type is it and what’s involved in getting it installed?

[rudytorres]

I remember when it had bark in it . I did the electrical for that . He had the conduit running across the middle had to reroute all the electrical to around the perimeter . Was a rough one he is not lying saying it got to 140 in there it felt like a hit blanket over me constantly sweating looks nicer now ha ha . Heck ya !

[joansmith]

I'm in Texas and have many of the same issues and i am building my second greenhouse. i am putting a solid north west wall (ondura roofing panels and foil wrap insulation) like i did in my first greenhouse. i don't understand why you would have a glass west wall and then build a cement wall to block the light. Seems easier the block the light to begin with. Mine is enclosed in hardware cloth so i don't get rats or mice. i am using polycarbonate this time. the south half of the roof is polycarbonate, the north half is ondura solid roofing. i also have a central ridge vent that goes the length of the greenhouse. it is small 10 x 10 ft greenhouse. my south wall is polycarbonate that is removable in summer. The east side is 1/3 solid wall, 1/3 door with vents and 1/3 permanent polycarbonate. My first greenhouse was sola wrap hoop design with a south roll up wall that worked super nice except my cats liked to climb up it and their nails would puncture it. On super cold night I plan to implement the roll down blanket like they do in Chinese greenhouses.