How to Make a Greenhouse

Greenhouses have been around for years. Their purpose is to extend the growing season for vegetables or flowers by trapping the heat created by the sun in a glass or plastic structure. The principle of greenhouses is that the energy from the sun's rays heats the greenhouse more quickly than the heat can escape from the structure. The greenhouse was one of the original "green" structures or processes to be implemented on a widespread basis. Follow these instructions to make a greenhouse, large or small.

Things You'll Need

• 35mm acrylic or glass globe with base
• tea light candle
• Used fish tank
• Recycled plastic bags
• Vinyl clothing or storage bags
• Shed framing materials and tools
• Break-resistant plastic

Instructions

1. PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT COLLECTOR and STORAGE UNIT

   If you keep in mind that this is what a greenhouse really is, it makes thinking about making one much easier. The basic components of any greenhouse, regardless of size, are:

   1) A frame structure - this can be either wood, plastic, aluminum, or any other rigid material
   2) A clear covering - usually glass or plastic
   3) A base - this holds the greenhouse in place and helps support the frame structure
   4) Ventilation - this gives control over the temperature inside the greenhouse and prevents the greenhouse from becoming a convection oven

2. 

   SUPER MINI GREENHOUSE

   Start small! You can make your own super mini greenhouse by purchasing a small acrylic dome from your local craft store. An acrylic dome measuring 35mm x 43mm with removable base costs as little as $7. If you would like to use glass, a dome or globe of about the same size can be purchased for around $10. The aluminum holder from a tea light candle makes a perfect seed container in the super mini greenhouse!

   NOTE: For these smaller versions, no ventilation is required.

3. MINI GREENHOUSE

   A fun way to make a mini greenhouse is to buy an old, used fish tank. It's not important if it's not watertight...in fact, a little ventilation is a good thing. A used 20-gallon tank and stand can be purchased on eBay for around $40 - $50.

4. SEED STARTERS

   It's easy to make seed-starter greenhouses by recycling plastic bags. It isn't important whether the bag is white, colored, or black, simply place your soil and seeds in the bottom of the bag. Tie off the top in a way that can be untied. Water and set in the sun. Voila!

5. 

   SMALL GREENHOUSE

   Another inexpensive way to make a greenhouse is to buy clear vinyl hanging clothing bags. These can be purchased for around $15. If you purchase one with built in shelves, you can place small plants on each shelf. NOTE: You'll need to be sure that the hooks can hold the weight, and you'll need to have a bar that's sturdy and is in sufficient sunlight. This can be placed indoors or outdoors.

6. MEDIUM or LARGE GREENHOUSES

   Any medium or large outdoor greenhouse can be built using the same plans that exist for backyard sheds. Instead of covering the framework with opaque material, use a transparent or translucent and break-resistant plastic.

   As an alternative, check the Resources section below for links to various greenhouse kits.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to click on the links around this page to learn more about greenhouses.

• If this article has been helpful to you, feel free to link it to your blog or email it to your friends!

Resources

• BEVOWorks Greenhouse Kits
• Home Depot Greenhouse Kits under $100