How to Build a Small Greenhouse Cheaply

You don't need a huge, fancy greenhouse to protect many plants. A compact, cheap one made out of plastic will do the job and last several seasons. Gather a few tools and materials, and with about $50, you can build a small greenhouse on the cheap and protect your plant investments during the cold nights or winter months.

Raised flower bed (wood, 4 feet by 8)
Hammer
4 pieces of rebar (1 foot long)
2 electrical conduit tubing pieces (1/2-inch thick)
PVC pipe (8 feet long, 3/4-inch diameter)
Duct tape
Plastic sheeting
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a wooden flower bed of small to medium size---about 4 feet by 8 feet---to use as the base structure for your greenhouse.
- 2
  With a hammer, drive the rebar pieces 6 inches into the ground at each of the outside corners of the wooden flower bed.
- 3
  Create two hoops at each end of the flower bed: Slide the electrical conduit tubing over the rebar, bend and slide the opposite end over the other piece of rebar. Repeat for the other side of the planter.
- 4
  Lash a ridgeline between the two hoops out of the PVC pipe. Lash them with duct tape or twine at the very top of each hoop.
- 5
  Cut pieces of plastic sheeting and layer over the structure until completely covered. Tuck the ends underneath the wooden planter box and staple the plastic to the base of the box every inch using a staple gun.
  
  Leave one plastic sheet unstapled so you can gain access to the greenhouse. Tuck this sheet underneath the planter or place a rock on it to secure it.

How to Build a Year Round Greenhouse

How to Prepare a Shed Base

Garden Sheds