Build a Backyard Greenhouse in 5 Steps
Step up your gardening game by constructing your very own greenhouse.
Among a tumultuous year of wildfires and back-and-forth over climate policy, many families have made it their mission to live more sustainably. Whether you’re looking to grow your own food or you just want to spend more time outdoors, a greenhouse is a great addition to any home. With basic construction skills and a small budget for materials, anyone can enjoy a backyard greenhouse.
Regardless of your location, a greenhouse can help to extend your growing season by months and might even allow you to grow year-round. If you live somewhere with more extreme weather and temperature swings, a greenhouse can also help protect your crops from those unexpected cold snaps or overnight frosts. With a more stable environment and protection from pests, you can grow a wider variety of plants and plan more easily for harvesting and reliable use.
Choose a Plan
Although some homeowners do choose to outsource the plans and construction of a new greenhouse, it’s perfectly possible to do it all yourself and pay only the material costs. There are plenty of greenhouse plans available for free download, each complete with materials lists and step-by-step directions.
As you weigh your options to choose a plan, consider:
Size and shape - How much available space do you have on your land?
Appearance - This structure is meant to stay with you long-term! Choose something you’ll enjoy looking at in the months and years to come.
Weather - The required sturdiness and materials for your greenhouse will likely depend on how much wind, rain, and snow you can expect in any given year.
This is also a good time to double check on any zoning or permit requirements in your area. They might dictate where or how large you’re allowed to build your greenhouse.
Decide where you’ll build
Choose a spot in your yard that:
Is level
Is not swampy (dries quickly after rain or snow, not at the bottom of a hill)
Gets plenty of sun, even in the winter
Based on the plans you chose in step one, measure out the space that your greenhouse will occupy. If you live at the bottom of a hill or the whole yard stays wet and swampy, no worries. You can install drainage out of the greenhouse later on.
Gather materials
Use the materials list in your plans to shop your local hardware store. To drive your spending even lower and keep your build extra green, you can even look into opportunities for picking up scrap or recycled materials. You’ll likely be looking for pretty common building materials like PVC, plastic coverings, and plywood.
Build
Once you’ve got your layout, your location, and your building materials, you’re ready to put it all together! Follow the steps in your chosen plans and don’t hesitate to turn to other online experts for video walk-throughs and extra help if you’re new to the DIY world! Give yourself plenty of time and be patient with the process. It’ll be worth it!
Plant!
Time for the fun part! Put your green thumb to work and fill your greenhouse with well-protected, long-lasting plants and crops. Enjoy!
No matter the specifications of your ideal home, Atmos can help you build it. Get in touch with Atmos to start on your home building journey!
