DIY Garage With Greenhouse

Budget Considerations

• Figure out how much you can spend for your garage and greenhouse project. You can use some recycled materials, if you plan carefully. For example, you can buy leftover plywood and glass at close-out sales. Design the shape of the garage and its accompanying greenhouse to look well from an architectural standpoint. Otherwise, you will devalue your property. The slant of the garage roof should flow naturally into the roofing for the greenhouse.

Options for Building

• When you pour the garage foundation, go ahead and pour the greenhouse foundation as well. A deeper concrete foundation in the greenhouse section will help to absorb excessive heat, which is a major concern in hot climates. You can order a glass lean-to greenhouse with a curved roof to simply attach to the back or side of your garage. Building a wooden framing that allows garage rafters to extend over the greenhouse sloped roof works well, too.

Planning the Garage

• It's nice to have indoor growing space for seedlings inside the garage area. Plants can be started under fluorescent lights several weeks before moving them into the greenhouse. Install a sink and countertop work space in the garage as well. Store potting soil and fertilizers in garage cabinets. Invest in insulating the exterior garage walls and ceiling area to make the area warmer to start seedlings.

Ordering Materials

• Consult with your county extension agent before ordering greenhouse building materials, heaters, watering systems or plants. The more information you have upfront, the better your choices will be in construction of the overall garage/greenhouse project. In some cases, your county agriculture officials may come onsite to offer advice in planning or building a greenhouse.

Placement of the Greenhouse

• Construct the greenhouse away from the front curb view, if possible. While you can build an extremely upscale greenhouse with high-end materials, you don't want to devalue the look of your property. Greenhouse gardening is either a hobby or a small, home business, so respect your neighbors and position the growing area on the back or side of your garage where it's visible from back yards mostly.