History of the Greenhouse
Believe it or not, the ancient Romans may have been the first people to invent a primitive type of greenhouse to raise vegetables for Julius Caesar’s meals.

Historical evidence reveals that they dug a large pit in the ground, built fires to create heat and covered the pit with translucent sheets of mica which is a type of rock.

Year Long Growing Season
The important thing about greenhouse gardening is that it allows you to raise vegetables, flowers and fruits all year long regardless of the weather conditions outside your greenhouse.

As time passed the greenhouse gardeners began to experiment with greenhouse designs and techniques and eventually they realized that it was the sunlight and the condensation/humidity that were the main factors in the ability of the greenhouse to successfully produce crops of all types.

Modern Greenhouses
Our modern greenhouses today are made of aluminum with acrylic and glass panes.  Even the roof is transparent.  The transparent walls and roof let in the maximum amount of light while retaining the heat.  Those plants that need only partial sun are provided with a net shade or canvas like tent cover in the greenhouse.

Today, Greenhouses come in all shapes and sizes.  Sometimes the greenhouses are attached to the main house as a shed or side building.  Other greenhouses are very small and consist of a few shelves, or a bay like widow in the kitchen where herbs or vegetables like tomatoes can be grown.

The commercial type of greenhouses can be build, many blocks long.  Sometimes you see them in areas where utility or power lines are running.

Planning Your Greenhouse
Once you make the decision to buy or to build a greenhouse in your yard the logical issues is:  How Large?

The answer to that question is going to depend on your needs and what you intend to raise in your greenhouse.

Most people start small and after time realize that they like greenhouse gardening and they wish they had a bigger greenhouse. Some people divide their greenhouse into two or three sections.  One section for growing edibles such as fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Another section garden variety type of flowers and plants.  And a third section perhaps for some more exotic flowers (like orchids).  The choice is yours.

Proper Heat Distribution
Once your greenhouse is built another important consideration is that the greenhouse have proper heat distribution to your plants so they can have the best environment for growing success. Obviously the larger your greenhouse the more of a concern the distribution of heat will be.  Commonly used equipment to help with the distribution of heat are fans, and various types of tubing that may carry air or water to various locations and plant sites. Burning coal, oil or gas heaters are used.  Be sure that no toxic fumes are being emitted that may endanger people or plants.  Back-up generators are sometimes necessary in the event of power failures or outages. Needless to say, the greenhouse gardening habit will have some start-up costs and maintenance costs, but your end results will be spectacular.Great Fun and Potential Profits
You will truly enjoy the fruit of your labors with delicious tasting fruits and vegetables all year long.  You can have great looking plants and flowers of every climate at your fingertips. Be sure to get some help if you are starting your greenhouse for the first time.  Consult with your local nursery person.  Do a little research online.  Talk to some of your neighborhood gardeners.The more planning you do the more successful you will be in the end when your greenhouse is up and ready to run. If you are not sure about your ability to commit proper time to your greenhouse, then my advice is to start a small greenhouse at first.  Get some practical experience in setting it up and in maintaining it.  Once you get the hang of it, then you can go and expand it or turn it over to your kids to run like I did. And who knows, you may even become such an enthusiast that you may turn this backyard hobby into a small family business.You may even turn a profit and go laughing to the bank every week