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DIY Saturday #48 – How to Build a Greenhouse for your Home

Posted: 30 Apr 2011 02:50 AM PDT

Guest Blog #68, Entry #510, April 30 2011

Happy DIY Saturday! As we round out the month of April, it is time to start getting your ideas for Spring gardening underway. While many people have the perfect conditions for gardening, other climates need protection from the elements and more control of the environment for optimal gardening.

Greenhouses are a great way to achieve optimal surroundings around your plants, as well as keep your plants from being chewed up by animals and pesky insects that would normally be found outside in the open air. Today, my Guest Blogger, Whitney Segura, shows you how to build your own greenhouse and a You Tube video gives you ideas for building one as well.

Greenhouses can be any size you wish to make for your home

You Tube Video – Building a Greenhouse

Hobby Greenhouse Building & Construction Planning 101

Owning a hobby greenhouse is probably every gardening enthusiast’s dream. This is because greenhouses allow you to grow the kind of plants that you want at any time of the year under controlled conditions.

But before you rush into constructing one, here are some very important points that you need to determine first before starting anything and if you get stuck read additional greenhouse building plans.

Grow plants year around in your own greenhouse

If gardening really is your hobby, then it is best to invest in the biggest greenhouse that you can find.

It may be an expensive initial investment yes, but it will be more costly to get a smaller spaced greenhouse and have it expanded later.
Most of the time, you are bound to fill up your greenhouse space in no time at all so it’s best to utilize what space that you have rather than invest in more costly expansions in the future.

Heating and ventilation requirements
This is probably one of the most important parts of a greenhouse.

The real essence of greenhouses is the ability to grow plants at a controlled condition and this can only be done through proper heating and ventilation systems.
There are actually a number of heating systems available in the market – from the natural gas, electric, gas and propane heating.
It is just a matter of your budget and the availability of these heating systems in your area.
One of the most convenient systems to use is the electric system but can be a problem during blackouts and power shortages.

Siding materials
The kind of siding materials you use is very important because this will affect the amount of sunlight penetrating into your greenhouse during the day.

As much as possible, you would like to have the most amount of sunlight into your greenhouses because it is essential for plant life.
The best siding option here would be glass. Aside from light diffusion, insulation is also an important factor.
Siding materials should be able to keep your greenhouses well insulated and prevent too much temperature fluctuation, which could damage or even kill your plants.

Greenhouse Framing
Frames should be strong enough to support your entire structure during harsh weathers – from heat, rain or snow.

The choice of framing materials will depend in the kind of siding you use. Use stronger frames for heavier sidings.
Wood is great aesthetic-wise but PVC and aluminum frames are mode durable and requires less maintenance.

There are actually hobby greenhouse kits available in the market.

They come complete with materials and instructions and with pre-measured materials so make sure that the kits you buy fit your space.
This can save you the hassle of buying and selecting materials one by one. But if you want a more customized greenhouse and love the work, then by all means, go the other way and start your greenhouse from scratch.

Aside from these, you also need to keep in mind that some areas may require local building permits for greenhouse constructions so check if your local government requires them or not before starting the work.

So keep these tips in mind and do not forget to have fun. Constructing greenhouses are just as fun as planting on them.

Whitney Segura is an expert in building a greenhouse and helping others learn with hobby greenhouse plans, the alternative is to go buy rion hobby greenhouse in a store.
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