Archive for February 22nd, 2010

DIY Greenhouse, A Gardener’s Dream

Every gardener wishes they had a greenhouse no matter how big or small it might be. You can watch the snow pile up and still be able to start seed in preparation for spring and planting of the flower or vegetable garden. Those plants you loose every winter can be safe and sound inside a greenhouse and be ready to come out once the temperatures get more moderate. DIY Greenhouse building is not a hard undertaking. There are many different styles of greenhouse you can purchase and construct that will take you just a few hours to a few days of some work.

There are certain things you have to decide before you build your own greenhouse. The climate in which you live has a great deal to do with the greenhouse you choose. If you live in a warm climate you probably will not need to heat the greenhouse but you will need to vent it so it does not get too hot. You will have to think of ways to shade the plants during the hottest part of the day. If you live in a cold climate you need to think about how to insulate the greenhouse and what method you will use to heat it.

Location is another big factor in building a greenhouse. The spot you pick to build should be level and flat, well drained so that no water seeps, and it should be in a sunny spot to make the best use of the sunlight. If your yard is shady you need to find a place where filtered light is coming in at least most of the day.

You can make a greenhouse out of anything that is clear. There are plans Online that detail how to make a house out of old beat up storm doors that you would use on your back door. There are other plans on how to make a greenhouse from a wooden frame that his stacked with plastic water and pop bottles. There are also the more common materials with which to make a green house like fiberglass or old fashion glass. If you want something that is not going to break if a stone flies up from the lawn mower try the more expensive polycarbonate panels that are made especially for greenhouse use. If you are on a budget you can get the type of green house that is made of plastic sheets over a series of pipes.

The base is a very important part of a greenhouse. Concrete is probably the best option because it is so stable. There are some other more inexpensive options as well. You can use gravel or just leave it be a dirt floor. You can also make a wood floor or use railroad ties. Some people install brick flooring or use concrete pavers to make a floor. If you build it right on a dirt floor you can plant seedlings right in the ground inside the greenhouse. Make sure you do not build your greenhouse in an area that will flood the floor and make a mess in your greenhouse.

You can build wooden benches all around the perimeter of the greenhouse. This gives you some space that is up from the ground to put plants ready to grow. You also must think about putting electricity or gas into the greenhouse so that it can be heated. Another important decision is how you are going to water the plants in the greenhouse. Do you need to run a water line to it so you can just turn the hose on from inside the greenhouse or are you going to tote water from another area?

Cheap DIY greenhouses are the ones that look like a big tunnel made from plastic sheet draped over PVC or other piping. Since PVC is not environmentally friendly these types of greenhouses are sometimes avoided. They are functional and most important they are very affordable. The next level of green house is one made with a wooden frame and then glass or fiberglass is installed. The most expensive is to install the polycarbonate panels and if you live in an area where kids play all the time, this might be the best in the long run because the panels will not break or shatter no matter what hits them. Building your own greenhouse will be an adventure and you are sure to find a green house that you can build easily and afford even if it is built out of water bottles or old back doors.

To build a DIY greenhouse is not all that complicated. Diy greenhouse kits available on the market today make it so unbelievably easy that every home owner can build their own greenhouse.

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February 22 2010 | Gardening | No Comments »