How to Weigh Down a Greenhouse

Weigh down greenhouses to prevent them from upending.

Greenhouses are simple outdoor frames constructed of wood, steel or PVC pipe, over which there is a layer of clear, plastic sheeting. These structures maintain higher temperatures than the exterior air and ground even during winter. There are many commercially produced greenhouses available for purchase, or you can construct one yourself. Whether purchased or built, one of the most important steps to installing a greenhouse is weighing down the edges. If the edges are not weighed down, wind can penetrate the bottom of the plastic and turn the greenhouse over.

Things You'll Need

• Landscape timber
• Another person
• Saw
• Cinder blocks or other heavy objects

Instructions

1. Move to one corner of the greenhouse. Smooth the excess plastic that extends onto the ground, outward in a smooth layer towards you. Ideally, you will need the piece of plastic on the ground to be at least 3 to 5 inches long in order to weigh it down properly.

2. Place a landscape timber on the ground so that it is positioned on top of the excess plastic sheeting. Push the timber up against the bottom edge of the greenhouse so that it fits securely. It helps to have another person assist with this, as you don't want the plastic to bunch up on the ground as you shift the timber into place. Continue placing timbers along the entire bottom edge of the greenhouse, with the exception of directly in front of the door. Use a handsaw or power saw to cut the timbers when needed.

3. Go back to one of the corners of the greenhouse. Place a heavy object, such as a cinder block, directly on top of the plastic at the base of the greenhouse. The object should sit snugly beside the timber. Other objects that are heavy enough to weigh the greenhouse down include bricks, landscaping rocks, railroad ties, stone pavers, garden edger stone, sandbags and extra bags of mulch or potting soil.

4. Insert addition blocks, or other heavy objects, at approximately 4- to 5-foot intervals all the way around the greenhouse.

Tips & Warnings

• Some gardeners have had success with covering the lower plastic lip with 3 to 4 inches of soil to weigh down the greenhouse. If you choose this option, inspect the soil regularly for areas that have washed away or blown away and add additional soil.

References

• Building a Greenhouse Plans: Building a Hoop Greenhouse
• Greenhouses and Garden Sheds: Inspiration, Information and Step-by-step Projects
• Back Yard Gardening and Growing: Our Greenhouse Experiment