Updated on Oct. 21, 2024
We set up this greenhouse and put it to use. Along the way, we tracked our progress, took note of the quality, and in the end we had a memory-making team-building experience.
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Fun fact: Greenhouses can extend a growing season and raise temperatures on cold days by allowing filtered light through their windows. As a recent transplant back to the southern U.S., I had to be reminded of their warm-weather uses—diffusing direct sunlight and allowing for more control over temperature and humidity levels.
Things like pots, potting soil and tools can be stored in a greenhouse, keeping everything within reach and accessible. Greenhouses like the Willow also allow you to add water and electricity, so you can really extend its capabilities by adding heat sources, lights, automatic waterers and misters. I decided to put this highly rated greenhouse to the test in my own backyard, and here’s what I really thought.
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The greenhouse comes unassembled, but fret not—the instructions for building it are terrific. It’s designed to withstand year-round use and has a plethora of useful features that set it apart from simpler greenhouses. It’s small enough to fit into most yards and comes with an outstanding five-year warranty.
A lot of greenhouses utilize polycarbonate as the windows. The Willow greenhouse also does this, but instead of using steel or PVC pipe as the structure, it uses a solid cedar wood construction. The cedar makes it not only attractive but also sturdy!
The Willow greenhouse comes ready to assemble in five boxes that may be shipped by freight. All of the cedar has pre-drilled holes and should your assembly directions end up wet and ruined like mine, no worries! Backyard Discovery uses the app “Bilt” for detailed instructions.
You can download the app to your phone or tablet (I definitely recommend using your tablet). In fact, everyone working on the project can put the assembly instructions on their own phones. I can’t say enough how amazing this app was for building the greenhouse. It can read the steps out loud and allows for zooming, full 3D rotation and tapping on a part gives you the part name. The ability to do this is a game changer of monumental proportions for assemblies as detailed and intensive as this build.
The interior space is generous at 54 square feet, seven feet 10 inches in height and 13 feet of shelves for you to work or keep plants. There’s one window that opens for ventilation, but also a wall-mounted temperature controller that will turn on the included exhaust fan (using the included power port), giving you automated control. There are two spigots and piping to hook up water to the exterior and then access it directly from the interior spigot or attach a hose for manual or automated watering.
Did I mention that this thing is sturdy? It can withstand 100-mile-per-hour winds and 2,850 pounds of weight—not something you expect from a backyard greenhouse. The strength comes from the solid cedar construction, the four-wall polycarbonate windows and the hefty hardware that holds the entire thing together. A five-year limited warranty is included to back up this robust greenhouse.
When I set out to construct this beautiful greenhouse, I didn’t know exactly what lay ahead. After unpacking a few boxes and staring at what seemed to be thousands of screws, I felt some pangs of worry. After downloading the installation instructions, I saw that 2 people at 12 hours of work was the estimate for the build. The instructions do not lie.
However, I enlisted “my village” to build this greenhouse and I highly recommend you do, too. In fact, three to four people seemed ideal for building this greenhouse—one person reading directions, one person locating the parts, and the other two doing the work. Overall, about 10 people participated in this build with a peanut gallery of onlookers cheering for us. Make this installation a party, and you won’t regret it. Oh yeah, and it took us about 14 hours total.
The first thing we did when getting ready to build was to lay out all the parts in an “order” in which we could more readily find them. This was a big activity in and of itself. The five boxes did not contain the parts in any particular order or size, so doing this activity was paramount to our success. Each box has a bill of materials in it, but we quickly realized that the most efficient process was to get things in alphabetical order.
After selecting a level location for the greenhouse, we got to building using the instructions found on the ”Bilt” app. We used tablets (yes, plural tablets because we needed recharges since we were without power at the building site) that were big enough for everyone to see from a short distance. Again, I mention this app because it is amazing. Throughout the build, we did not find a single error in the directions, and I’m simply amazed at how helpful it was.
Erecting the frame was done first and was simple enough. From there, there were a number of cosmetic steps that felt a little futile, but in the end, really made the greenhouse attractive. The next steps involved building up the cedar sides and polycarbonate windows. Finally, the roofing went on, and we were ready to seal up the edges and install the fan, power supply and water access.
Once the greenhouse was completed, we all took a step back and admired it and our work. Now was the time to put it to use. We filled the greenhouse up with orchids, fresh herbs and vegetables. We potted on the sturdy shelves. Over the weeks, the greenhouse has maintained them perfectly with great humidity and temperature control. Everything is thriving.
Depending on your needs and expectations, a backyard greenhouse can be worth the investment. Though there is an upfront cost to a greenhouse, you can extend your growing season and protect plants. The savings in plants can offset costs, but there is no dollar value that can be assigned to the pleasures of year-round gardening.
Backyard Discovery greenhouses are primarily made in China. The headquarters are based in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Year-round weather may involve cold and hot extremes as well as harsh sunlight. Look for a greenhouse that can withstand heavy snows, high winds and hail. Accessories such as automated exhaust fans can greatly help control high temperatures. Having a power source is great for adding light during winter hours.
The answer here probably depends on who you ask. However, investing in a quality greenhouse will offer you years of extended and safe growing. Always consider your environment when selecting a greenhouse because its durability is critical to whether or not your investment will be “worth it.” Many inexpensive greenhouses are available, but not all can withstand weather conditions over time.
A quick Internet perusal will reveal that not only the greenhouses but all of the Backyard Discovery products, such as play sets and gazebos, receive high ratings. When compared to other greenhouses in this price category, they hold their own for being easy to assemble and incredibly strong due to the high-quality components.
Myself and my neighbors have gone through at least half a dozen lesser quality backyard greenhouses over the last 10 years without a single one lasting more than about 18 months before becoming unusable due to broken parts or a full on collapse of the structure. When compared to less expensive greenhouses, you’ll find that the Backyard Discovery greenhouses stand high above the rest. They are able to endure harsh conditions and have much greater longevity (and they look good, too)!
I have nothing but positive things to say about Backyard Discovery’s Willow greenhouse. The ease of assembly, the durable components, and the awesome accessories should make this a top pick for any plant-growing enthusiast. And did I mention how attractive this greenhouse is? It’s truly a beautiful addition to any style of yard. If you’re looking for a greenhouse, don’t overlook this one; it’s a keeper.
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You can purchase the Willow Greenhouse from retailers like Wayfair, Walmart, and Amazon for under $2,000. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get growing!
