Is Harbor Freight's Greenhouse Worth Actually Worth Buying?

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There comes a time in every savvy home gardener's journey when they may wonder if it's worth it to build a backyard greenhouse. These glass or plastic, framed structures create a microclimate by combining controlled temperature, humidity, and air circulation. This offers the unique opportunity to cultivate fruits and veggies that grow best in a greenhouse, outside of their regular growing season. It also creates space to grow plants that don't usually survive in your climate. However, building a greenhouse from scratch can be a challenge. Harbor Freight sells a One Stop Garden greenhouse for a reasonable price point. While this option is budget-friendly, it's not necessarily worth it.

Before we dive into why the Harbor Freight greenhouse isn't the most optimal option for home gardeners, let's define what you should look for in a quality greenhouse. While not as aesthetically pleasing, aluminum frames offer more longevity and fewer shadows than their wood counterparts. Proper roof ventilation is a must to maintain ideal air temperature and humidity. Polycarbonate panels and glass are the two best options for covering material. Glass transmits light the best, but can be heavy, while polycarbonate panels transmit light less effectively but are lighter. You'll also want to look for proper insulation to maintain an effective microclimate. 

The common sentiment when it comes to Harbor Freight's One Stop Garden Greenhouse is that you get what you pay for. Yes, it's true that it's affordable, but if you're hoping to extend your growing season in a meaningful way, you might be left disappointed. In fact, calling this structure a greenhouse at all is a bit misleading. It could more accurately be described as a walk-in cold frame. Most greenhouses are heated or, at the very least, properly insulated. The Harbor Freight greenhouse can be useful in starting seeds and extending your growing season further into fall, but it isn't insulated enough to provide year-round growing potential.

The structure itself leaves a lot to be desired as well. While the polycarbonate panels and aluminum frame are usually the materials to look for, the specific types used to construct the Harbor Freight greenhouse aren't very sturdy. You will likely end up needing to reinforce the structure to improve insulation. Gardeners also report that the polycarbonate panels tend to deteriorate quickly, turning yellow and brittle far sooner than ideal. The sliding door entrance is also prone to jamming. When it's all said and done, you might save money up front, but end up needing to invest more funds into this greenhouse to improve and maintain it. (via Reddit)

If you have your heart set on the Harbor Freight greenhouse, there is potential to improve upon the design if you're willing to put in a little elbow grease. To start, you'll need an adequate base. You can use cement blocks or build out a more robust, reinforced wooden frame. Once you construct the greenhouse, you might also consider covering the panels with UV-resistant plastic to increase their lifespan. Next, tackle insulation issues. Search for gaps around the foundation and throughout the structure and shore them up with caulking or weatherstripping. There are plenty of optional improvements you can undertake, such as installing shelving or replacing the sliding door with a hinged one. But for the most budget-friendly upgrade, focus on increasing the longevity and insulation of your greenhouse.

If you're not up for such an involved DIY, you might need to pay a little more upfront for a quality greenhouse. Many greenhouses in the same price range will have similar issues to the Harbor Freight greenhouse. If you're willing to pay more upfront, you'll inevitably save time and money. One great option, which will run you about $2000, is the Yardistry Meridian Greenhouse. Reviews praise it for its quality and durability. If your goal is to keep a backyard winter garden and you're willing to invest a bit more, consider the Riga Greenhouse. It costs just under $8600, but with superior insulation and high-quality materials, it's an excellent greenhouse for colder climates.