Starting Small: Why a Cheap Greenhouse Might Be Your Best First Step in Southern Alberta
Gardening in Southern Alberta comes with its own set of challenges—short growing seasons, unpredictable frosts, and the occasional hailstorm that can shred your best-laid plans. But for those looking to extend their growing season and protect their plants, a greenhouse can be a game-changer.
If you’re new to greenhouse gardening or hesitant to invest big bucks upfront, starting with an affordable, “el cheapo” greenhouse—like the one pictured above—can be a smart move. It’s a low-risk way to dip your toes into the world of controlled growing, learn what works (and what doesn’t), and decide if a bigger, fancier setup is worth it down the road.
Let’s explore why a budget greenhouse can be a practical, functional choice, and how it can teach you the ropes without breaking the bank.
The Beauty of Starting Small
The greenhouse in the photo is a perfect example of a budget setup: a simple metal frame draped with plastic sheeting, reinforced with some DIY ingenuity. It’s not glamorous, but it gets the job done. The owner of this greenhouse shared that it survived a season in Southern Alberta, even after a hailstorm tore through the plastic. A quick trip to the dollar store for replacement sheeting, some creative patching, and a bit of monitoring kept it functional. The plants inside thrived, proving that you don’t need a high-end structure to see real benefits.
Purchasing a cheap greenhouse—think $50 to $150 for a small, portable model—lets you test the waters without a major financial commitment. These setups are widely available at big-box stores, garden centres, or even online marketplaces. They often come as kits with a lightweight frame (metal or plastic) and a polyethylene cover, like the one in the image. While they’re not built to last forever, they’re perfect for learning the ins and outs of greenhouse gardening.
