Do you love home gardening? If yes, surely you have also dreamt of having a greenhouse in your backyard! A place where you can harvest fresh vegetables and fruits – sounds like a fantastic idea, right? You can fulfill your dream by building a greenhouse in your home!
You can start greenhouse gardening to grow various plants from seed, including flowers and vegetables. Plants usually need a specific environment to develop completely, and sometimes local weather conditions aren’t enough. This is where you can take help from a greenhouse as it offers an ideal temperature and environment to thrive a variety of plants. From planting seeds indoors to experimenting with different growing techniques, you can do a lot of things in a greenhouse.
There are many ways to add a greenhouse to your backyard, such as traditional greenhouse methods and modern greenhouse builds. However, these ways can be expensive and sometimes are too big for residential spaces. Instead of trying these options, you can go with a DIY do-it-yourself greenhouse! You can either buy a greenhouse kit or build it all by yourself.
Don’t know how to build a greenhouse in your backyard? No worries, keep reading this post! Today, we will explain how you can quickly build a greenhouse in 5 steps. We’ve also explained the types and benefits of using a greenhouse for growing plants.
What is a Greenhouse?
A greenhouse is a closed structure made with transparent walls for growing green plants and flowers. It has a unique roof that lets and traps sunlight and heat to create a controlled environment. A Greenhouse allows people to regulate weather conditions such as humidity and temperature.
With the help of a greenhouse, you can easily examine and control the moisture, temperature, and condition of your plants. The warm atmosphere will help plants to grow healthy.
Different Types of Greenhouses
There are various greenhouses available today with different features like sun lamps, water misters, air circulation, and heating pads. These things will help your plants properly grow and make them happy.
1. Cold frame Greenhouse
Cold frames are one of the simplest and smallest types of greenhouses available in the market. The cold-frame greenhouses are unheated and are usually built in small boxes with hinged lids attached to one side of the home. As its name suggests, these are designed to protect plants from the cold.
2. Standalone Greenhouse
A standalone or freestanding greenhouse is not connected to a home or building. They’re self-supporting and don’t require any additional heating as the inside atmosphere is warm with the sun’s rays trapped by the glass or plastic roof. Standalone greenhouses also have excellent airflow and temperature control.
3. Attached Greenhouse
How to build a greenhouse attached to your house?
This type of greenhouse is constructed with the support of a sturdy wall of a building. Compared to the freestanding greenhouses, these are smaller but have home utilities such as electricity and water.
How to Build a Greenhouse?
After reading here, now you know what a greenhouse is, its types, and how it helps grow your plants indoors. So let’s move on to our final topic of how to build a greenhouse. Below is the step-by-step guide on how to construct a DIY greenhouse in 5 steps. So, whether you’re an expert or have already made one, follow these steps to build one quickly. So, let’s start with the process.
Materials you’ll need:
- Greenhouse kit from supplier
- Concrete, brick, or slabs for the foundation
- Hammer
- Adjustable spanners
- Screwdriver
- Spirit level
Step 1: Choose a Location
The first step is to pick a specific location in your backyard where you want to grow plants. Find the location on several factors such as greenhouse type, plants you want to grow, and exposure to sunlight.
No matter whether you select a cold frame or a standalone greenhouse plan, make sure that the spot you choose should always have as much sun exposure as possible and a good drainage system. Avoid building in an area covered by other structures or trees, as it may cast shadows.
Step 2: Create the Foundation
The next step is to check your outdoor space for the foundation. If the space is uneven or has bushes or stones, clear everything. Also, for cold-climate gardening, the greenhouse base should always be lower than the frost line. This will help your plants warm in cold weather conditions.
A strong foundation will provide good support and strength to the greenhouse and stabilize it. Make sure to create a well-draining floor while building your foundation.
Gather small rocks or pebbles to add them as barriers or lines. Doing this will prevent the grass and weed from growing near your greenhouse. Also, due to this boundary line, your greenhouse area will not get muddy while you water your plants.
Step 3: Build the Frame
After finishing the foundation, it’s finally time to start building the greenhouse structure. So, gather your materials and prepare the basic structure with the help of a frame.
Greenhouse frames are available in various materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. You can build the frame separately or use the one that comes with a greenhouse kit. Use proper hardware and tools to build the frame carefully.
Follow the instructions written on the kit and use connectors, water sealants, and adhesives to join frame pieces. Also, you can create concrete posts to ensure your greenhouse is well anchored to the ground.
Step 4: Install Walls & Roof
After completing the frame, it’s time to install walls and roofs to your greenhouse. You can choose any material for the glazing, from plastic sheeting and glass to fiberglass and polycarbonate sheets.
If you’re creating a temporary structure, you can go with lightweight materials, but if you want something permanent, it is recommended to use high-quality and durable materials for glazing.
Slowly put the roof one by one with the support of the top beams. Attach them carefully to the greenhouse frame. Don’t forget to fill any gaps with a caulk or silicon sealant to insulate and secure your structure properly.
Step 5: Add Door & Ventilation
The final step of building a DIY greenhouse project is to add ventilation to your structure. Adding an appropriate ventilation system for your greenhouse is very important as it circulates the airflow and keeps the inside air fresh. Also, add a right-size door that is easy to open and close to access the greenhouse.
Without the proper airflow, there will be stagnant air in your greenhouse kit, leading to overheating, mold, or mildew. All these things may attract bugs and damage or even kill your plants. A well-aerated greenhouse will create the perfect environment to grow your plants. So, it’s crucial to install vents in your walls and roofs.
FAQs
To construct a greenhouse on a low budget, consider buying a greenhouse kit that comes with everything, so you do not need to purchase anything else. You can also build a small greenhouse with recycled materials.
Yes, you should always build your greenhouse in a location where your plants can have at least 8 hours of direct sunlight.
The average greenhouse construction cost can range from $100 to $10,000. The total cost usually depends on different factors such as size, materials, and features you choose. A small DIY greenhouse can cost less than the one built by professionals.
To start greenhouse gardening, you should always install your greenhouse at the beginning of a growing season of plants.
Conclusion:-
Building a greenhouse in your backyard is great for growing vegetables, fruits, or flowers in your home. From a small attached greenhouse to a large standalone greenhouse, you can choose greenhouse kits and build it according to your space, size, and requirements. So, this is all about how to build a greenhouse. Follow these steps and tips mentioned above and create the greenhouse of your dreams and grow your favorite fruits, vegetables, or plants.
Read More:-
