While growing fresh fruits, veggies and herbs all year round sounds like the dream lifestyle, there are plenty of issues that can get in the way — think the climate, space limitations, pesky pests and more.
However, there is one product that can solve many common gardening dilemmas: a greenhouse. Temperature is controlled, and pests are no longer a problem. And while you might not have the space for a large greenhouse right in your backyard, there are many other climate-controlled, pest-free options that can work for your space.
Measuring in at 4.92 ft. x 3 ft. x 1.75 ft., Costco's mini greenhouse can fit just about anywhere and stay there. But if you don't plan to garden all year round, it can also be taken apart fairly quickly, stored indoors and then put back together when the time comes.
According to the brand, Juwel, the unit is capable of maintaining sufficiently warm temperatures to support year-round plant growth in most U.S. climates. And even in colder northern regions, it can help you get a head start on the growing season as early as February into October.
But it's not the size or temperature-controlling features customers are loving most — it's the automatic lid opener. When temperatures get too warm inside the unit, the device expands to let out hot air during the day and closes again as temperatures cool off.
"What makes this really worth the money is the automatic opening of the center panel. This has worked flawlessly so far and without it, you would have to manually open a panel every time you have a sunny day or else your plants would cook," raves one 5-star reviewer.
Whether you choose to plant your veggies in the ground in your yard or you're hoping to grow herbs in pots on your patio, this device solves all your space, temperature and pest-related gardening problems.
You can get it on Costco for $339.99, but you'll need a membership. Luckily, Amazon also sells it, although it's a bit pricier there at $413.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
