Have you ever wanted a small greenhouse in your backyard? Here are some DIY plans so you can learn how to build a greenhouse.
I think every gardener dreams of having their own greenhouse. Greenhouses are great for extending the growing season and for starting seedlings.
A few years ago I built my own greenhouse right in our backyard. I have really enjoyed having this greenhouse and I have put it to good use.
While this is a prebought greenhouse kit I did add a base and other items that made it much more useful and sturdy. Here are the DIY plans so you can build a greenhouse just like mine!
Materials Needed For This Greenhouse
Wood (All Wood Should Be Treated or Rot Resistant)
- 2: 2x8s each 74 and ½ inches long
- 2: 4x4s each 74 and ½ inches long
- 2: 2x8s each 8 feet long
- 2: 4x4s each 7 feet long
- 4: 2x4s each 46 inches long
Greenhouse
- 1 Greenhouse Kit (I used this 6x8 ft greenhouse from Harbor Freight)
Fasteners
Tools
- ½ Inch Drill Bit
- ⅜ Inch Drill Bit
- ⅛ Inch Drill Bit
- Power Drill
Optional Supplies
- Silicone Caulking (Highly Recommend)
- Spray Paint For Greenhouse Metal Frame
How To Make This Greenhouse
Below is a step by step guide on how to build this greenhouse. I have laid out the steps just as I assembled my greenhouse.
Step 1: Assemble Greenhouse Kit
The first thing I did when building my greenhouse was to assemble the greenhouse kit. The instructions included with the greenhouse were very straightforward.
Having an extra pair of hands to assemble the greenhouse was very handy! I also built the greenhouse kit in our garage which kept it safe from wind and weather during assembly.
When snapping the panels in the greenhouse frame you only have clips in the kit. I soon found that these clips do not stand up to high wind and I had some panels fly away!
Since then I have added silicone caulk on all my greenhouse panels and this has kept them in place. I would add caulk to the panels while it is still in your garage.
Note: I did not paint the metal frame of my greenhouse but I have seen others do this. Before assembling the greenhouse consider spray painting the bare metal.
I think a black or dark green spray paint would really make this greenhouse look nice. I wish I would have thought about painting my greenhouse before I assembled it.
Step 2: Make The Wooden Greenhouse Base
This greenhouse kit does not have any weight to it and will not anchor to the ground very well. The greenhouse is also only six feet tall so I decided to build a wooden base for it.
This base is made of 2x8s and 4x4s. All the wood I used was treated and I would recommend the same for yours, so it will not rot.
Start by screwing the 4x4s together with the 8 inch screws I listed in the materials. You should make a rectangle shape that is 6 feet by 8 feet.
You can now do the same with the 2x8s and screw them together to make a 6 foot by 8 foot base. I used the 3 inch deck screws for this part.
Next take your ½ inch drill bit and drill a whole every foot in the bottom of the 4x4s about 2 inches deep. This allows you to screw the 2x8s and 4x4s together.
When you get done the base can be flipped over so that the 4x4s touch the ground. The greenhouse will be attached to the top of the 2x8s.
You now have a completed base for your greenhouse!
Step 3: Add The Greenhouse Kit To The Base
Move your greenhouse base to your desired location and level it. I place my greenhouse on a cement pad, but you can put it anywhere.
You could put this greenhouse on bare soil and then fill it in with gravel or pavers.
Once you have the base leveled and in location you can now attach the greenhouse kit to the base. I found that two people can easily pick the greenhouse kit up and transport it.
Set the greenhouse on the base and square it up. Now drill holes through the metal rim on the greenhouse with the ⅛ inch drill bit.
These holes will be used to screw the greenhouse to the base. I used the 3 inch screws and the 1 inch washers to secure the greenhouse to the wooden base.
For extra support I also added 2x4s in each corner of the greenhouse. I then added screws and washers that went through the greenhouse paneling into these 2x4s.
We had to use a table saw to shave wood off the base of these 2x4s so they would attach to the base and greenhouse.
These 2x4s just add some extra stability to the greenhouse. We have had summer storms and plenty of snow, but my greenhouse has been able to handle it all.
The greenhouse is now finished!
Optional Modifications
Here are a few modifications you could do to your greenhouse to make it look better and be more useful.
Add steps
Since I added this tall base to my greenhouse I had to add steps to get into my greenhouse. These steps are simply made by stacking paver stones.
Add a table or shelf
We had left over wood that we used to build tables that are attached to the base and greenhouse. While these tables were just made with scrap wood they have lasted for years and are very hand.
I use this table for all my seedlings in the spring. This was made out of 2x2s and plywood.
Paint The Frame
I have seen many gardeners paint this greenhouse using a spray paint made for metal surfaces. I think this would really dress up a greenhouse.
Add A Power Supply
I heat my greenhouse using a portable heater and an extension cord. You could add power directly to your greenhouse if you didn't want to use extension cords.
Paint The Base
You can paint the wooden base of your greenhouse to make it look even better.
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