How to Build an Inexpensive Greenhouse

Inexpensive greenhouses can be built easily on a small scale. Miniature greenhouses cost very little to make and can be completed quickly, allowing you to begin utilizing your greenhouse almost immediately. The dimensions of any greenhouse plans can be altered according to your own needs, but using inexpensive materials will limit the size of your greenhouse. A PVC or copper pipe mini greenhouse is a project that can be completed over the course of a couple of days.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Shovel
• 2-foot long rebar stakes
• Copper PVC pipe
• Hammer
• Saw
• Plastic sheeting
• Scissors
• Bricks

Instructions

1. Use a measuring tape to mark out a 3 foot wide by 6 foot long space of grass. Alter the dimensions to fit your own landscaping plans if necessary. This space will be used to build the greenhouse.

2. Dig the existing grass out of the 3 foot by 6 foot area to make building easier. New topsoil and fertilizer may be necessary for your plants.

3. Use a hammer to place 2-foot long rebar stakes along the perimeter and corners of the area you measured out for your greenhouse. Put a stake at each corner and every 2 feet along the 6-foot sides of the greenhouse area.

4. Place the stakes directly across from one another, as they will form the foundation for your greenhouse. Ensure that the stakes are firmly planted in the ground, but leave at least 1 foot of each stake exposed.

5. Cut copper tubing or PVC pipe to form arches for your greenhouse. Bend the copper tubes so that they form equally sized arches. Each arch should be 3 to 4 feet tall.

6. Slide the ends of your PVC pipes or copper tubes over the tops of the rebar stakes. The stakes and PVC or copper pipe should form a structure that is 4 to 5 feet tall.

7. Cut out enough plastic sheeting to cover your PVC or copper tube mini greenhouse. Leave 8 to 12 inches of excess plastic on either side of the sheeting. Stretch the sheeting taut across the greenhouse.

8. Place bricks or rocks along the sides of your greenhouse to keep the plastic sheeting from blowing away.

Tips & Warnings

• Snap clamps can also be used to secure your plastic sheeting to the greenhouse.

References

• Will's Mini Greenhouse
• Diggin Food: Backyard Greenhouse

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• How to Build a Small, Cheap Greenhouse