The Science Behind Growing All Year Round

Our four-season greenhouse kits are heated by the sun and earth for energy efficient growing! Here’s exactly how it works — and how we’ll help you figure out which system is right for your property.

Greenhouse Kits Ranging from 36 feet to 140 feet!

Every property, growing goal, and budget is different, which is why our greenhouse kits are available in sizes ranging from 36 feet to 140 feet and can be customized in 4-foot increments. Whether you’re looking for a smaller greenhouse to simply extend your growing season and feed your family, or a larger structure to support homesteading, market gardening, community food production, or a commercial operation, we’ll help you determine the size that best fits your needs.

At Greenhouse in the Snow Canada, we take a consultative approach to understand your available space, growing goals, budget, and future plans. Together, we’ll help you choose a greenhouse that provides the right balance of functionality, efficiency, and room to grow, so you can invest confidently in a solution that makes sense for your property today while supporting your vision for the future.

About our Year-Round Greenhouses

Light from above, warmth from below

Dig down past the frost line anywhere in Canada and you’ll find a stable, consistent temperature year after year, regardless of what’s happening on the surface. Our greenhouse kits are engineered to tap into that energy while maximizing solar gain through south-facing polycarbonate panels.

The result: a growing environment that stays above freezing all winter with a fraction of the energy a conventional heated greenhouse consumes. Growers across Canada — from Zone 2b to Zone 9 — are harvesting food year-round using this system.

How The Earth-Energy System Works

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Step 1

The Greenhouse Captures Solar Heat

South-facing twin-wall polycarbonate captures sunlight and converts it to heat inside the structure throughout the day.

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Step 2

Earth Energy Maintains Night-Time Warmth

Your chosen heating system (liquid-to-air or air-to-air) draws stable warmth from below the frost line and circulates it through the greenhouse overnight and during cold snaps.

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Step 3

The Structure Holds It All In

Our earth-sheltered, insulated design minimizes heat loss, so the warmth you capture stays where your plants need it.

Choosing Your Heating System

Energy Efficient Heating Systems Designed Around Your Land, Your Soil and Your Climate

The biggest decision in your greenhouse build is which heating system best fits your land. At Greenhouse in the Snow Canada, we will help remove any guess-work and will talk you through your water table depth, soil type, and local climate during your consultation.

Here’s an overview to help you start navigating this decision:

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LIQUID-TO-AIR GEOTHERMAL

Why we recommend it first: The liquid-to-air system delivers superior heat retention and is the easiest to dial in for year-round performance across most Canadian properties.

How it works: Liquid-filled tubing is buried underground and circulates through an air handler to move warmth from the earth into your greenhouse. This system also includes an automatic backup heat source for extreme cold snaps, keeping your produce thriving all winter long.

Best for: Properties with high water tables, rocky or dense soil, humid climates, or anyone who wants the most consistent temperature regulation with the least manual management.

Excavation required: Greenhouse footprint only — no long trenching.

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AIR-TO-AIR GEOTHERMAL

How it works: Underground air tubes draw warmth from below the frost line and circulate it through the greenhouse via a blower. Based on the original Russ Finch design, this system has been proven for 35+ years.

Best for: Off-grid properties, DIY builders, and sites with a water table deeper than 12 ft.

Excavation required: Greenhouse footprint plus approximately 250 ft of trench.

HEATING SOURCES

Did you know: There are several heat system options that you can source yourself from natural gas to propane to wood boiler, just to name a few!

We are more than happy to assist you with the best selection for your greenhouse! Just contact us here!

How to Get Your Greenhouse: The 5-Step Process

Step 1

Book a Virtual or In-Person Tour

Start with a free in-person or virtual tour of our working greenhouse in Armstrong, BC. Meet us, ask every question you have, and see the system running in real time.

Step 2

Get your Custom Quote

Tell us about your property including the size, sun exposure, water table, and your goals for your greenhouse. We’ll recommend the right greenhouse size and heating system and send a custom quote including estimated shipping.

Step 3

Secure your Order

Confirm your specs and send your 50% deposit. We’ll lock in your build date, ensuring your greenhouse arrives when you’re ready for it.

Step 4

We Build it

Your greenhouse kit is manufactured, packed, and shipped directly from our shop in Armstrong, BC. Lead time is typically 4–8 weeks. We keep you updated throughout the process so you’re never wondering where things stand.

Step 5

Build and Grow!

Your kit ships, along with detailed installation instructions. Dale and Chelsea are available by phone and email throughout your build. Most customers are planting within weeks of delivery!

About the Additional Materials List

Your Kit + Your Finishing Touches = Your Perfect Greenhouse.

Your greenhouse kit includes the galvanized steel frame, twin-wall polycarbonate panels, screws and washers, and a detailed installation manual.

Every property and every grower has different preferences for how their greenhouse looks and functions. By sourcing your own finishing materials, you get to choose the door style you’ve always wanted, the cladding that matches your property, and the insulation level that fits your climate. You can also source these materials from people you trust, right in your community, saving you additional shipping expenses!

When you receive your quote, we’ll send you a detailed materials list with specific product recommendations — exactly what to buy, where to find it, and why it’s needed. We have helped customers navigate hundreds of decisions in customizing their greenhouses over the years. Our clients tell us that the customization piece is one of the most satisfying parts of the build process!

Site Planning: What to Think About Before You Build

1) Placement of Your Greenhouse

Choose a level, south-facing spot with maximum winter sun exposure and no pooling water. We’ll help you assess your options during the consultation.

2) Permitting

Check with your local municipality. We offer engineered drawings for building permit applications (fees apply).

3) Foundation Options

Augured holes with sonotubes, insulated concrete form (ICF), concrete wall, or screw piles — we’ll advise on what makes sense for your frost line and soil (and budget).

4) Water Table

This can help us determine which heating system is right for you. We’ll talk through that together as well.

Ready to Grow Your Own Food — All Year Long

Book a free tour, see a working four-season greenhouse, and get full pricing to plan your build.

BOOK AN IN-PERSON TOUR

BOOK A VIRTUAL TOUR

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YEAR-ROUND GREENHOUSES – FAQS

1) What’s The Difference Between Liquid-to-Air and Air-to-Air systems?

Liquid-to-air uses fluid-filled tubes buried under your greenhouse footprint and includes automatic backup heat. For most Canadian properties, liquid-to-air is the ideal heating system.

Air-to-air uses underground air tubes with about 250 ft of trenching and works best for off-grid builds or properties with a water table deeper than 12 feet.

2) Can I Grow Year-Round in a Zone 2 or 3 Climate?

Yes. We have customers growing successfully in climates as cold as Zone 2b, including areas that regularly hit –50°C. The key is matching the right heating system to your property, which is exactly what we’ll help you figure out.

3) What's Included in my Greenhouse Kit?

Every Greenhouse in the Snow Canada kit includes the components that make this system perform the way it does:

Proprietary galvanized Canadian steel frames, cut and welded by hand in Armstrong, BC
8mm twin-wall polycarbonate panels rated for Canadian snow and wind loads
All screws and washers
Detailed step-by-step installation manual
A personalized materials list with specific product recommendations to complete the build
Direct access to us throughout the install process

4) What do I Source Myself, and Why is that Actually a Good Thing?

Your finishing materials — door, exterior cladding, insulation, and retaining wall materials — aren’t included in your kit, and that’s completely intentional. Here’s why it works in your favour:

Sourcing some of these parts locally means you save significantly on shipping costs, support businesses in your own community, and you get to choose finishes that actually suit your property. Want a door that matches your barn? Cladding that complements your home’s exterior? A style that feels like it belongs on your land? That’s entirely up to you. No two Greenhouse in the Snow builds look exactly alike, and the finishing touches are a big part of why.

When you receive your quote, we send you a detailed shopping list with specific product recommendations — exactly what to buy, where to find it, and why. We have guided all of our customers through this step and it’s one of the most satisfying parts of the whole process.

5) Can My Greenhouse Run Off-Grid?

Yes. Our design uses approximately one-tenth the energy of a conventional heated greenhouse. It is a great solution whether you want to grow off-grid or just want to reduce energy costs! Many customers run their air-to-air system on solar power. We can discuss your off-grid setup during the consultation.

6) What Size Greenhouse do I Need?

Our full-size kits range from 36 ft to 140 ft in 4 ft increments, all 17 ft wide. A 60–80 ft greenhouse can generally feed a family year-round. Market growers and community gardens typically choose larger sizes. We’ll help you choose the right size based on your goals and property. If you’re looking for a smaller option, check out our Three-Season Greenhouses designed for residential backyards.

7) How Long Does Installation Take?

Most greenhouse builds are completed in 3–6 weeks. We recommend hiring an excavator, electrician, and plumber for specific steps along the way, and everything else can be done as a DIY build with a few helpers. We are available for support throughout the process, and you’ll know everything you need to know before the truck arrives with your greenhouse!.

8) Do I Need a Backup Heater?

We recommend setting a backup heat source to kick in at 2°C to protect plants during extreme cold snaps. Options include natural gas/propane shop heaters, small diesel heaters, or electric heaters. The liquid-to-air system includes an automatic backup.

9) Can I do Aquaponics in the Greenhouse to Help With Heat Generation?

Yes, a water feature will help retain daytime warmth and release it overnight. In fact, several of our customers run tilapia or trout ponds alongside their growing beds.

10) Do You Offer Financing Options?

Yes we do! Just let us know and we will walk you through the process!