With the continental divide in the middle, Montana has a climate split into two unique halves.
The mountainous western half is prone to cool summers and mild winters. On the flip side, the eastern prairie half has warm summers and cold winters.
This division makes Montana a one-of-a-kind challenge to garden in. But with a greenhouse, you can provide a stable environment to garden in no matter which side of the state you’re located in.
In this article, we’ve put together a list of the best greenhouses for Montana. Read on to learn all about our suggestions and why we’ve chosen each one.
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
| Product Name | Grade |
| NW Green Panels Large Walk-In Greenhouse | A+ |
| Mt. Hood Greenhouse | A+ |
| Little Cottage Company Greenhouse | A+ |
| Riga Greenhouse | A+ |
| Palram Plant Inn | A |
Best Greenhouses for Montana
NW Green Panels Large Walk-In Greenhouse
If you want a greenhouse that will always make you feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside regardless of your actual location, this is a great pick. Its cedar construction looks for rural warmth and comfort.
This look is also all naturally made. It’s completely hand-made and stained, rather than being impersonally manufactured.
It’s also convenient. The vent on top is heat-activated, so it will open to let out hot air on its own. There are shelves inside to hold up your plants, keeping them off the cold ground.
Pros
- It was made and stained by hand
- Automatic vent system in the roof
- Includes shelving for your plants
- Beautiful country-style design
- Has thick 8mm polycarbonate panels for increased durability
Cons
- No issues were reported at this point.
Mt. Hood Greenhouse
The Mt. Hood Greenhouse brings together two qualities that many people wrongfully assume can’t go together: durability and environmental friendliness.
Consider its frame, for example. The frame is made from natural redwood, and it’s both heat-efficient and capable of enduring 100-mph winds.
After that, consider its base. The base is made out of recycled organic plastic, capable of resisting fungus and insects.
No matter what kind of environment you put this greenhouse in, it’s going to last.
Pros
- It has a base made from recycled plastic.
- The frame is made with beautiful and hardy redwood.
- Polycarbonate panels will not break regardless of the weather.
- The overall greenhouse is so efficient you could save up to 40% on heating costs.
- Its roof vent is automatic, meaning it will open to air out the greenhouse by itself.
Cons
- Some customers noted difficulties with the assembly.
Related Article: Do Greenhouses Have Floors?
Little Cottage Company Greenhouse
In a nutshell, you could describe this greenhouse is both sturdy and stunning. Its angled sides and pointed peak lend it a memorable look.
Wrapping around the walls on the inside, there’s a shelf you can use to hold planters and supplies. There are even rods built-in from which you can hang baskets.
It comes primed and ready for paint, too. You can paint it any color you’d like, so it can fit into a plethora of environments and decorating schemes.
Pros
- Attractive design
- There’s shelving and rods for holding hanging baskets and planters
- The windows can be opened for ventilation
- A peaked roof gives you an abundance of headroom
- Can withstand winds up to 90 mph
Cons
- It does not include paint
Related Article: Are Greenhouses Good for Growing Vegetables?
Riga Greenhouse
The Riga Greenhouse is almost always a good choice because of its stunning durability. Because of its rounded shape, snow can’t get stuck on top, forming heavy and dangerous piles. At the same time, wind can flow over it without much resistance, so it won’t get blown away at the first sign of a storm.
It also has excellent ventilation. The vents on the top are completely automatic, which means they’ll open by themselves when the temperature reaches a certain point. Because there’s more than one vent, there’s plenty of airflow and temperature control.
Pros
- No additional tools are required for assembly.
- Vents on the top will come open on their own in hot temperatures.
- Snow can’t pile up on the top.
- Can resist wind speeds of 80 mph.
- Built-in shelving for planters and supplies
Cons
- None reported yet.
Also Read: Do Greenhouses Need Bees?
Palram Plant Inn
Here is the solution for those who want to garden in a greenhouse but don’t have a lot of space. The Palram Plant Inn is a small-scale greenhouse that can fit anywhere. As long as you have a patio, deck, or balcony, you can use this compact greenhouse.
For such a small package, it’s remarkably efficient. The sleek base it stands on is hollow, and you can store your gardening tools in it. You’ll also find drainage in the base, so your plants won’t have to sit in swampy, damp potting mediums for long.
The dome on top can be folded up to form vents. Underneath the top of the dome, there are even hooks you can use to support plants with vines.
Pros
- Can fold up the doors to make vents.
- Allows overly damp plants to drain into the base of the greenhouse.
- The base includes a concealed storage compartment.
- Built-in hooks for supporting vines.
- Compact size allows it to fit in small spaces.
Cons
- There are few reports of the assembly being a little difficult because there are so many pieces.
What to Consider When Buying a Greenhouse for Montana
Materials
One of the first things you should focus on with any greenhouse is the materials used to make it. The materials have a massive impact on day-to-day function and the greenhouse’s longevity.
Regarding the panels, polycarbonate and glass are popular. Both are excellent at diffusing and admitting sunlight, to safeguard your plants from freezing.
Polycarbonate is particularly durable but can sometimes be brittle when it comes to driving screws through it. Glass can be expensive and prone to shattering, but if it’s shatter-proof or tempered, it’s also a wise choice for panels.
You should also think about what you’d like the frame to be made out of. Aluminum and wood are two of the most common materials you’ll see in frames.
Aluminum naturally holds up well under moist conditions because it’s not vulnerable to mildew or rotting like wood can be. However, there are many kinds of wood that are resistant to these conditions.
Insulation
Because temperatures can change massively in a single day in Montana, you’ll need whatever you can to promote stability in the temperature of your greenhouse. Insulation is the simplest way to do this.
When a greenhouse has sufficient insulation, neither cold nor hot air can get in easily. Insulation can appear in the form of seals around doors or windows or extra-thick panels.
Read Also: How Can I Heat My Greenhouse for Free in the Winter?
Ventilation
Cold isn’t the only thing plants need to be protected from. Just as a plant can freeze, it can also become too hot.
In that case, you’ll want ventilation. Vents allow hot air to escape instead of building up and suffocating your garden.
But the bonus perk of vents is that they also help circulate the air in your greenhouse. Think about it: a closed greenhouse can become hot and wet. These conditions are perfect for the growth of fungus and mold.
A vent can help stop those things from thriving in your garden.
Snow and Wind Rating
Montana can get a lot of snowfall during the winter. Any greenhouse that’s going to be left outside year-round, whether or not you’re using it the entire time, needs to be able to hold a ton of snow.
It would be endlessly disappointing to invest in a greenhouse, only to have it collapse from a bit of snow accumulation.
Some greenhouses will specifically say in their description how many pounds of snow they can hold at once. If they don’t, then you can try checking what customers have had to say about their greenhouses in the winter.
You can also check out this list of our favorite greenhouses for winter growing for more information.
Wrap Up
Regardless of which side of the continental divide you live on, Montana is subject to wild changes in temperature. Any greenhouse there needs to handle any weather passing through, whether it’s rainstorms, blizzards, or fierce sunlight.
We think the Riga Greenhouse exemplifies this flexibility. Its rounded sides are perfect for snowstorms because the snow won’t pile up on top. The impressive 80-mph wind resistance is nothing to forget about, either.
Additionally, it partially automates one of the greatest challenges of any greenhouse: maintaining an ideal temperature. The vents on top, which will open and close on their own, could save you a lot of time and anxiety.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
