Sigma 20

We installed our Sigma greenhouse with an extension in 2022, making it 20 feet long—plenty of room for our growing needs and winter refuge. In the frigid Chicago climate, our Planta Greenhouse has been nothing short of a game changer. We use it to protect perennials like palm trees, bird of paradise, lavender, eggplant, peppers, crotons, tradescantia, geraniums, and elephant ears—especially the ones that can’t stay indoors due to our cats. All the pet-safe plants stay in the house, and everything else thrives inside the greenhouse. We also get a two-month head start on our annuals, which is huge for Chicago gardening. As of early February, we already have peppers, tomatoes, daisies, petunias, cosmos, morning glories, cucumbers, and forget-me-nots started.

Our greenhouse has become our favorite place to be. We spend all winter inside, soaking up the sun while it's freezing or snowing outside. It’s our little haven—a space for plant care, self-care, and memory-making. In fact, it became so special that Marcin proposed to me right there in the greenhouse. Of course, I said YES!

We added electric to the structure to make year-round use possible, and we installed a propane space heater for the coldest weeks. Two 65-gallon water jugs provide all the irrigation we need through winter. A compost bin adds warmth and allows us to reduce waste, and we’ve included shelves with grow lights to supplement sunlight. We also have a dedicated seed-starting station at the front of the…

For years, owning a greenhouse had been a dream of ours—and now it’s become a key part of how we live and grow. The greenhouse works in tandem with our outdoor garden to supply nearly all of the produce we consume. Once the colder months arrive, we transition entirely to greenhouse-grown food, eliminating the need to buy from the grocery store.

Inside, we grow tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, beets, carrots, leeks, peas, string beans, broccoli rabe, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, basil, mint, eggplant, strawberries, and even lemon and fig trees, which we move in during winter along with our hibiscus and blueberries. It’s glorious watching everything thrive, even in below-freezing temperatures. The greenhouse has become our winter escape and has even protected many plants during hurricane season and high winds.

Our buying experience was seamless—we didn’t even need to contact customer service. Reading customer stories from people in similar climates was incredibly helpful and gave us the confidence to move forward.

We customized our setup by building the greenhouse on a 4x4 wood foundation attached to concrete footings, giving us an extra foot of interior height. Inside, we added raised beds, a pebble stone walkway, and sealed all seams with silicone for extra insulation.

What we love most is the beautiful retro vibe of the greenhouse, paired with its sturdiness—it’s already held up to 50 mph winds without any issues. As we continue to learn and grow, we’re also exploring…

We purchased our Sigma 20 greenhouse from Planta in 2022, and it arrived within a week—even before we had finished building our foundation! As new greenhouse owners and gardeners, we've really enjoyed experimenting with a variety of plants inside: peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, and even a surprise squash that popped up by accident.

Our Planta Greenhouse has helped us extend our growing season and complement our outdoor garden. It’s been so rewarding to move toward year-round growing. To support that, we’ve added a fan for airflow and some LED lighting to keep things thriving even as the days get shorter.

One of our absolute favorite things? Enjoying a hot cup of coffee inside the warm greenhouse on a frosty January or February morning—it honestly feels like a mini vacation. We'd love to add an extension someday (we already built the foundation to fit it)!

It’s made a big difference in our gardening experience since 2022. Inside, we grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, and beans, while ground vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and spices are still grown outside in the garden. The greenhouse has definitely extended our growing season, and the vegetables thrive and grow quickly in the protected environment.

Purchasing from Planta was a great experience—delivery was fast, the setup was straightforward thanks to the helpful videos, and customer service was excellent. Since setting it up, we’ve added raised beds, sidewalks, and some decorative outdoor plants and flowers around the structure. We also installed water connections and electrical wiring for ventilation and heat, which has made maintaining the space even easier.

One of my favorite things about the greenhouse is how well it holds up through the winter. It’s easy to set up, simple to maintain, and preparing it each season by adding new soil and fertilizer is a breeze. Overall, we’re very satisfied and already looking forward to planting again next spring.