by Dakota Storage Buildings, on October 22, 2025
A greenhouse is a long-term investment in your gardening success. But like any space, it works best when it’s supported by the right upgrades. Without the right features, you could find yourself battling the same frustrating issues: extreme heat in the summer, freezing temperatures in the winter, poor lighting in cloudy months, or a setup that feels disorganized and hard to use. A greenhouse is supposed to solve these issues, not add to the frustration!
When you have these challenges, it can limit plant health and production, leaving your greenhouse interiors underutilized. With the right add-ons, you can take control of your environment and turn your greenhouse into a productive, efficient space in every season. From heating and cooling systems to storage solutions and lighting, these upgrades ensure your plants stay consistent year-round.
The Right Heater Can Keep Your Greenhouse Growing All Winter
When winter rolls in, the difference between thriving plants and a struggling crop often comes down to one factor: temperature control. A reliable greenhouse heater keeps conditions consistent, preventing frost damage and promoting steady growth.
Types of greenhouse heaters to consider:
- Electric Heaters: Easy to install and reliable, but they may increase energy bills.
- Propane or Natural Gas Heaters: Great for larger spaces, with strong, consistent heat output.
- Solar-Assisted Heaters: An eco-friendly option to supplement traditional systems.
When choosing a heater, make sure to size it properly for your greenhouse, look for safety features like automatic shut-off, and place it where air circulation won’t be blocked.
At Dakota, our greenhouse interiors feature LP® SmartSide® Panel Siding, which adds an extra layer of insulation and helps maintain temperature control year-round.
Learn more about how to choose the right greenhouse heater.
Cut Costs and Extend Your Season With Solar Power
If you’re serious about efficiency, a solar greenhouse is worth considering. A solar greenhouse is designed to capture and store the sun’s energy through passive solar design and thermal mass materials like stone, brick, or water barrels that release heat slowly after sundown.
A few of the benefits of a solar greenhouse include:
- Lower energy costs
- Extended growing seasons
- A more sustainable, eco-friendly setup
To make the most of a solar greenhouse, maximize natural light by positioning your greenhouse south-facing, use insulated materials to hold heat, and consider adding solar-powered fans or lights for extra efficiency.
Dakota’s greenhouse interiors are built with durable materials that easily adapt to solar-powered upgrades, giving you flexibility to grow sustainably.
See how a solar greenhouse can help you cut costs and extend growing seasons.
Cooling Systems To Protect Your Plants From Summer Stress
While winter cold is definitely a challenge, summer heat can be just as destructive. Overheated greenhouses stress plants, reduce yields, and can even cause wilting or death. The key to keeping these scenarios from happening is to ensure your greenhouse interiors stay cool.
Cooling add-ons to consider include:
- Shade Cloths: Reduce direct sun exposure and help regulate temperatures.
- Ventilation Fans: Keep air moving and prevent stagnant heat pockets.
- Misting Systems: Increase humidity and cool plants naturally.
Circulation fans and exhaust systems also play a big role in maintaining steady air movement, which prevents disease and helps plants “breathe.”
Because our greenhouses are made with durable, customizable layouts, it’s easy to outfit them with greenhouse cooling systems that fit your needs.
Discover how to utilize greenhouse cooling systems to prevent overheating.
Maximize Space With a Shed and Greenhouse in One
Sometimes the biggest greenhouse challenge is organization. A cluttered setup makes gardening frustrating and inefficient. That’s where a shed and greenhouse combo comes in.
By integrating storage directly into your greenhouse design, you’ll always have the tools and supplies you need within reach. Add-ons like shelving, hooks, potting benches, and labeled bins make workflow smooth and stress-free. Plus, combining the two saves space in your backyard and creates a single, streamlined hub for gardening.
If you want to increase function and convenience, this is one of the most practical upgrades you can make.
Check out more ideas on how to incorporate greenhouse storage.
How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Greenhouse
Light is the driving force behind plant growth, but it’s not always consistent. Short winter days, cloudy climates, or shaded backyards do not provide the amount of light your plants need to thrive. That’s when grow lights become essential.
A simple breakdown for sunlight vs. greenhouse grow lights:
- Natural sunlight is free and provides a full spectrum, but it can be inconsistent.
- LED greenhouse grow lights offer reliable, customizable light year-round, though they require upfront investment.
Our greenhouses feature Softlite16mm Multiwall Polycarbonate panels, which diffuse sunlight to prevent leaf scald while ensuring even light distribution. This feature makes them perfect for growing plants via natural light. But it’s also highly compatible with supplemental LED grow lights when needed.
Explore a deeper comparison of greenhouse grow lights vs. sunlight.
Build a Greenhouse That Works Year-Round
Your greenhouse interiors have the potential to grow plants year-round, but only if they’re equipped for the challenges of every season. Smart upgrades like heaters, solar features, cooling systems, storage solutions, and supplemental lighting protect your plants and make your gardening experience easier and more enjoyable. With the right tools, you’ll reduce stress, save time, and create an environment where your plants can thrive.
Take time to evaluate your current setup and see where improvements can be made. A small change, like adding proper ventilation or organizing your space with shelves, can have just as big an impact as a larger investment like heating or solar features. Over time, these upgrades work together to extend your growing season and improve yields.
Ready to take your greenhouse to the next level? Explore our stock greenhouse options that are designed for durability, efficiency, and easy customization, and start building the space that keeps your garden thriving all year long.
