Getting started with greenhouse farming can feel overwhelming, but having the right resources makes all the difference. That’s why we’ve put together this curated list of 22 free PDF guides to help beginners and curious growers learn the essentials.
Inside, you’ll find practical manuals on greenhouse setup, planting calendars, crop-specific techniques, water-saving systems, and more. Whether you’re exploring basic greenhouse cultivation or more advanced horticulture methods, these guides will be useful. (Most of these PDFs come from agricultural universities or trusted organizations, and they’re all available to download for free. )
And if you’re planning to build a commercial-grade greenhouse, feel free to reach out to INSONGREEN—we specialize in greenhouse design and construction.
Bonus: Planning a smart investment? Check our Climate-Controlled Greenhouse Cost Analysis.
Part 1. Greenhouse Basics for Beginners
If you’re just starting out with greenhouse farming and looking for straightforward, practical guides, this section is for you. These beginner-friendly PDFs cover everything from building your first structure to managing crops in tropical or inclusive settings. Whether you’re setting up in Africa, the Caribbean, or running a school or community-based project, these resources offer the right balance of simplicity and guidance.
1. Greenhouse Manual
By United States Botanic Garden
Ideal for classroom or educational use, this manual includes lesson plans and simple explanations of greenhouse design, planting, nutrition, and integrated pest management. A great pick for both beginner growers and educators introducing greenhouse concepts.
2. Tropical Greenhouse Growers Manual for the Caribbean – 2014
By Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
If you’re in a hot and humid region, this comprehensive guide is a must-read. It covers greenhouse structures, growing systems, pest and disease management, and the cultivation of key crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce—all with a tropical focus.
3. Greenhouse Projects and Curriculum Manual – 2014
By Lafayette College Technology Clinic
Perfect for educators or schools, this manual is full of hands-on projects like hydroponics, composting, hanging baskets, and even a flower sale plan. It comes with materials lists, planting tips, and sample calendars—great for turning greenhouse learning into action.
4. Greenhouse For Beginners in Kenya (Africa) – 2016
By Timothy Angwenyi
A step-by-step starter guide tailored to Kenyan conditions. It walks you through location selection, greenhouse setup, crop choices, pest control, and basic marketing—all written in clear, no-fuss language that first-time growers will appreciate.
5. A Practical Guide to Establishing and Operating Greenhouses for People with Disabilities – 2014
By Association for Promoting Inclusion (API), Croatia
This unique guide is designed for community service providers and inclusive farming initiatives. It shows how greenhouses can be built and run not just for food, but for empowerment, education, and skill-building, especially in rural or nonprofit settings.
Greenhouse Crop-Specific Guides & Planting Schedules
Sometimes, general advice isn’t enough—you want to know how to grow a specific crop well in a greenhouse, or simply need a clear planting timeline for your region. This section offers exactly that. These PDF guides focus on popular greenhouse crops like tomatoes and cucumbers, along with region-specific planting calendars to help you plan your growing season more effectively.
6. Greenhouse Tomato Handbook – Mississippi, USA
By Mississippi State University Extension (2019)
This comprehensive guide focuses on greenhouse tomato cultivation, walking growers through planning, variety selection, aggregate media use, fertilization, pruning, pollination, and climate management. It’s especially suitable for beginners seeking a crop-specific manual with step-by-step technical guidance and practical fertilizer calculations. Includes appendices on greenhouse suppliers, industry associations, and short courses.
This publication is shared for nonprofit educational purposes with full credit to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
7. GREENHOUSE CUCUMBER PRODUCTION in Australia – 2019
By New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
This manual focuses entirely on cucumbers grown under protected conditions. It includes everything from site prep to pest control and harvest tips, tailored to the Australian climate but applicable elsewhere too.
8. Dates for Planting Vegetables & Fruits in the United Arab Emirates
By UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MINISTRY OF CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENT
The PDF includes dates for planting vegetables and fruits in the UAE, covering when to plant in nurseries, fields, and harvest.
9. Digital Gardener’s Southern California Vegetable Planting Schedule
By Santa Monica College, California, USA
This table provides recommended times for sowing vegetable seeds in the typical Southern California climate (Zones 23-24), with advice on adjusting for the age of transplants (about 1-2 months).
Greenhouse Technology, Design & Sustainability
As your greenhouse journey progresses, you’ll likely want to improve efficiency, reduce costs, or adapt your system to extreme climates. This section focuses on the technical side of greenhouse farming—from water-saving structures to energy-smart practices. These PDFs are perfect for growers seeking to upgrade from basic setups or build smarter from the start.
10. Massachusetts Greenhouse Industry Best Management Practices Guide for Massachusetts, USA – 2010
By the University of Massachusetts Extension
This guide outlines best practices for modern greenhouse operations, including site planning, water conservation, energy use, and pest control. A strong reference for growers aiming to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining crop quality.
11. COMMODITY GREENHOUSE for British Columbia, Canada – 2014
By British Columbia, CA Ministry of Agriculture
This document outlines legislation from federal, provincial, and local governments that sets standards for water quality, waste management, and equipment safety in British Columbia. It also provides resources on useful publications for greenhouse production.
12. Improving Greenhouse Systems and Production Practices in Australia – 2000
By Dr. Sophie Parks
This study reviews Australia’s greenhouse systems, focusing on creating ideal conditions for growing top-quality vegetables and on advancements in climate control, heating efficiency, and automation.
13. Watersaving Greenhouse Technology for the Gulf Region – 2009
By Jouke Campen
This article explores water-saving greenhouse technologies ideal for the Gulf region, addressing the challenges of freshwater scarcity and the high costs of desalination in arid coastal areas.
14. Energy-Related Agricultural Best Practices – Guidebook for Greenhouses – 2022
By New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
This guide outlines the best energy-saving practices in greenhouse farming, providing essential tips and guidance for efficient energy use in the agricultural sector.
Greenhouse Business, Economics & Organic Production
Once your greenhouse is up and running, the next step is thinking long-term: How can you grow high-value crops? What’s the return on investment? Should you go organic? This section features in-depth guides on alternative crops, business strategies, and production economics. Whether you’re running a small operation or planning a larger commercial setup, these PDFs offer valuable insights.
15. Alternative Greenhouse Crops for Florida, USA – 2018
By Hochmuth and D. Cantliffe, University of Florida
This PDF focuses on the dynamic greenhouse vegetable industry in Florida, spotlighting the past 25 years. It discusses high-value alternative crops like colored bell peppers, herbs (mainly basil), lettuce, and strawberries, catering to Florida’s demand for fresh, quality produce.
16. Greenhouse Vegetable Production – General Information and Bibliography for California, USA
By the University of California
Offering crucial information for anyone interested in commercial greenhouse vegetable production in California, this publication covers the local climate for building greenhouses, outcomes, and crops grown, along with a wealth of references.
17. Greenhouse Vegetable Production for New Mexico, USA – 2019
By New Mexico State University
This PDF explores several key areas of greenhouse operation in the Southwest US, including choosing locations, buildings, plastic coverings, temperature control, soil and hydroponic cultivation methods, crop planting, CO2 enrichment, and integrated pest management. It covers crop production information and resources from tomatoes to cucumbers and other greenhouse plants. ”
18. Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production – 2000
By Lane Greer and Steve Diver
This publication focuses on organic methods of greenhouse vegetable production, supplemented with a listing of greenhouse resources.
19. Good Agricultural Practices for Greenhouse Vegetable Crops in Mediterranean Climate Areas – 2013
By The Food and Agriculture Organization
Diving into greenhouse crop growing in the Mediterranean, this guide covers everything from greenhouse design and climate control to pest management and water use efficiency, aiming to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the region’s greenhouse vegetable industry.
20. Good Agricultural Practices for Greenhouse Vegetable Production in Southeast East European – 2017
By The Food and Agriculture Organization
Addressing the sustainable management of water resources for small farms in Southeast European countries, this publication discusses challenges and opportunities in water quality assessment, irrigation cost control, and water efficiency enhancement.
21. Propagating Crops from Seed and Greenhouse Management
By UC Santa Cruz
Covering seed propagation to comprehensive greenhouse management, this guide includes details on environment control, soil and hydroponic techniques, and effective operational methods.
22. The New Economics of Greenhouse Production – 2014
By Paul Fisher, Alan Hodges, Bill Swanekamp (Kube-Pak Corp.), and Charles Hall
Delving into the economic aspects of greenhouse production, this article offers insights into income analysis, indirect cost calculation, seasonal changes in production costs, and productivity optimization.
Still not sure which PDF to start with?
We’ve carefully selected some of the most reliable and well-sourced PDF guides available on greenhouse farming. If you’re just starting out, we recommend exploring the earlier entries—they offer a great foundation for beginners. Have a great resource we didn’t include? Share it in the comments or reach out—this list will continue growing!
