A greenhouse creates a microclimate in your backyard, allowing you to grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs year-round. Building your own greenhouse is the first step to having a flourishing garden and enjoying fresh produce any time of the year. While DIY projects are generally a cost-effective way to add functionality to your backyard, building a greenhouse on a budget can be daunting. It requires careful planning and resourceful use of materials.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned DIYer, one of the ways to save on the cost of building a DIY greenhouse is getting an expertly designed greenhouse plan. Thankfully, there are many greenhouses that gardeners of any skill level can build on their own. For first-time builders on a budget, a little creativity can help create a functional and durable greenhouse without denting your pocket. Here are tips to build a greenhouse that fits your needs and gardening style without breaking the bank.
1. Proper planning
Building a greenhouse on a budget is all about using your resources prudently without sacrificing the greenhouse's efficiency. This requires proper planning of where to place the greenhouses, the materials to use, the size of the structure, and even the plants to grow. Choosing a sunny spot with good airflow and protection from strong winds for your greenhouse ensures the optimal conditions you need to establish a thriving garden. The location of your greenhouse also influences building style, which can easily stretch your budget.
2. Choose a budget-friendly design
Greenhouses come in many sizes, shapes, materials, and designs. Choosing a simple, budget-friendly design is crucial for first-time DIY greenhouse builders looking to save money while still creating a functional space to grow veggies and other plants.
Hoop houses are considered the most cost-effective design and are ideal for first-time builders for a reason. They use inexpensive materials like PVC pipes and are easy to construct, even for beginner DIYers. It is also easy to adopt a hoop house based on available space and specific gardening needs.
First-time greenhouse builders can also take advantage of an existing outdoor structure and build a lean-to greenhouse. You will not only save on materials and construction costs for one side of your greenhouse, but the greenhouse will also benefit from the heat and support of the adjoining structure, reducing heating costs during cooler months. Building a lean-to greenhouse from a garden shed or storage shed ensures your gardening tools are within reach when you need them.
A-frame greenhouses are cheap and easy to build. Their classic and economical design makes them great for first-time builders. The slanted sides shed snow and ice easily, which prevents accumulation that would otherwise lead to damage. This makes them suitable for regions that experience heavy snow.
3. Consider cheaper materials
Greenhouses can be constructed using a wide range of materials. For gardeners on a budget, no matter the design of your greenhouse, consider inexpensive materials like PVC pipes, metal pipes, wood frames, and polyethylene films. PVC pipes are cheap and easy to work with, while metal pipes provide additional strength and are cost-effective in the long term. Polythene films are lightweight, easy to install, and much cheaper compared to other options like glass and polycarbonate, yet they provide good light transmission. Interestingly, these materials are readily available from most hardware stores.
4. Use recycled materials
While there are many affordable materials for building greenhouses, a sure way to save on costs and stay within budget when building a greenhouse is by using repurposed materials. All you need is to be a little creative.
Scrap lumber, old windows, and even shade cloths for the walls are affordable yet can still create a functional greenhouse. Reclaimed wood, pellets, and repurposed metal pipes are ideal choices for framing your greenhouse; old window panels and glass can provide excellent light transmission when used as walls, while salvaged plastic sheeting can provide adequate insulation. Pallets and wood can be used to construct raised beds for your vegetables and drawers to start seeds earlier in the season.
Depending on how you intend to irrigate your plants, you can use old PVC pipes to create drip irrigation lines.
Interestingly, it is easy to find materials to repurpose. Local stores, online marketplaces, and demolition sites often have salvageable materials that you can use to complete your greenhouse project.
Note: While recycled materials are budget-friendly, first-time greenhouse builders should be keen to inspect all salvaged materials to ensure they are in good condition. Materials used to build garden beds should be untreated and free of any chemicals that may harm your plants.
5. DIY doors and ventilation
Greenhouses need to maintain ideal temperatures and airflow to promote germination and proper growth of your plants. Designing your own greenhouse doors and ventilation can help you keep your greenhouse project within budget while ensuring the right conditions. Thankfully, most greenhouse plans come with step-by-step instructions on how to construct a greenhouse door and install adequate ventilation.
For beginner DIYers, you can save costs by finding an old door that fits your greenhouse opening or constructing your door using recycled materials. Salvageable doors are easy to find in thrift stores and online marketplaces.
For optimal airflow, you can install vents and windows that can be opened when needed. If your budget allows, automatic vent openers are a good investment.
Conclusion
Although seemingly daunting, building your own backyard greenhouse can be a fulfilling endeavor and an inexpensive way to add character and functionality to your yard. Interestingly, you don’t need to have excellent skills to build one. With basic woodworking skills and a little creativity, you can transform your backyard into a hospitable environment for your vegetables and favorite plants.
With the above tips, you should be able to embark on your greenhouse project and stay within your budget. It is all about creativity, careful planning, and prudent use of available resources. Most importantly, be keen not to sacrifice the effectiveness and efficiency of your greenhouse while trying to stay within budget.