Washington Park Zoo's old greenhouse may be demolished

MICHIGAN CITY | Monkey Island and other features at Washington Park Zoo were built to help create jobs during the Great Depression.

Imagine warmth: Dream about adding a greenhouse

Now is not the time of year for sowing, unless it's sowing an idea: As the weather turns colder and the landscape becomes washed in grays and browns, imagine a retreat, an oasis of lush greenery and brightly colored flowers suffused in warm, moist air.

Greenhouse Environment

Plants started in greenhouses give gardeners the upper hand for early garden growing opportunities in the spring.

Greenhouses Provide Growing Opportunities for Enthusiasts of all Ages

A family greenhouse allows the chance for children to learn about the care and growth of plants, beginning at seed stage until planting during the garden season.

Cross-Country Greenhouses Legacy Design Greenhouse Structure

Cross-Country Greenhouses, which has been in business since 1951, sells larger and more accessorized hobby greenhouses via website companies. One of the most popular is the 8-ft by 8-ft style called The Legacy, shown here, which sells for under $2,500.

Lemster's Floral Greenhouse Entrance

A wood panel doorway, off the showroom, leads to the climate controlled Victorian greenhouse structure attached to Lemster's Floral in Valparaiso.

Owner Jeff Walter in the Greenhouse at Lemster's Floral in Valparaiso

Jeff Walter, owner of Lemster's Floral in Valparaiso, stands in the attached greenhouse of the 100-year-old florist building. Greenhouses allow for added advantages with plant care, but also require the demands of upkeep and maintenance.

Backyard greenhouses allow cultivation and climate control for plant management

While Steve Penrod, owner of First Class Deck in Hobart, was working on a deck project for a client, he also found himself helping construct a greenhouse for the same yard.

6 Steps to an Energy-Efficient House

Keep costs contained: Holes in your ductwork, insulation or building envelope make it easy for conditioned air to escape. Patch them up to save on heating and cooling.