Encompassing more than 7,000 square feet, our greenhouses/coldframe provide the controlled environment that our seedlings and more tender plants need. They are, by far, the hardest working and most labor intensive part of the Melvin's Gardens property. Fortunately, working in the greenhouses is a labor of love. We take a lot of pride in what we do, so you'll often find one or more of our staff members picking weeds, pruning, or re-potting.

Visitors will see different things happening in our greenhouses depending on when they visit. Our work begins each year in the smallest greenhouse where we seed plants from December or January through April. During these cold months, our innovative method for heating this greenhouse results in the lowest possible carbon footprint. February through May our seedlings are moved into 4" pots. Once the heat of summer begins to set in, our greehouses are in maintenance and cleanup mode. Weeds must be pulled and plants must be watered and sometimes pinched back to keep them lush and full. As space in the greenhouses starts to open up between July and August, cleaning and preparation for the next growing year begins. All of our propagation trays and pots must be cleaned and sanitized, shelving must be cleared and cleaned, and supplies and seeds must be ordered and stored. We start to take plant cuttings in the fall (August-October) and these will be moved into gallon pots once good roots have been established. We also begin setting strawberry plants for hanging baskets in October..

Melvin's Gardens offers 175 varieties of herbs & 300+ varieties of perrenials & shrubs and the fruits of our labors can be purchased at our farm as well as at the Raleigh (mid-March through July 1)and Western Wake Farmer's Markets (May 1 through September). We are pleased to offer free assistance in planning your gardens and invite you to schedule an appointment to visit our greehouses to see why:

when only the very best will do,
discerning chefs and gardeners turn to Melvin's Gardens