How to Start a Hobby Greenhouse

Tomatoes growing in a large greenhouse.

Many hobbyists enjoy growing exotic flowers and plants. It's a challenge to provide the correct humidity, warmth and space these plants need in your home. Greenhouse gardening is not a modern phenomenon, according to Shane Smith, author of "Greenhouse Gardener's Companion." It's as simple as placing a glass covering over a plant to protect it from the cold. Start a hobby greenhouse and you'll have ample space for all your plants. Assemble the greenhouse from old windows, plastic sheeting over PVC, or purchase a greenhouse kit.

Things You'll Need

• Greenhouse Kit
• Gravel
• Shelf wire
• Heating element
• Gallon water jugs
• Black plastic
• Fan

Instructions

1. Write down a list of plants that you would like to grow in the greenhouse. Tropical plants such as orchids and bromeliads require a more humid and warmer environment than vegetables. You may to need to increase the capacity of the heating element or use more than one to grow tropical plants.

2. Set up the greenhouse kit per the package directions. Locate it where it'll receive sunlight for most of the day. Keep in mind that the angle of the sun changes significantly from summer to winter. It's important that the greenhouse stays in the sun as much as possible during the winter months.

3. Lay a 2- or 3-inch thick layer of pea gravel on the greenhouse floor.

4. Place the plant shelves against the sides of the greenhouse and, if the greenhouse is large enough, down the middle.

5. Wrap the gallon water jugs in black plastic and place them where the sun shines all day long. They will absorb heat during the day and release it at night. Put them on the floor since heat rises.

6. Use the heating element when the radiant heat from the water jugs isn't enough to keep the greenhouse warm at night.

7. Place a rotating fan on an upper shelf so it circulates air throughout the greenhouse.

8. Put the plants on the shelves. Stagger them so the plants on the upper shelves don't block the light to the lower shelves. You can also attach plant grow lights underneath the top shelves to provide light to the lower shelves.

Tips & Warnings

• Add humidity by placing plants in trays on top of gravel. Fill the trays with water.

• A greenhouse can build up heat quickly. Check the temperature often.

References

• "Greenhouse Gardener's Companion"; Shane Smith; 2000
• Washington Post: Greenhouses Offer a Warm Respite from Winter's Chills.
• Frugal-Living-Freedom: Build Your Own Greenhouse and Save Money