Makeshift Greenhouses

Plastic Bag

• A large plastic bag can function as a makeshift greenhouse for smaller plants and mainly seedlings. Insert the plants into the plastic bag and then place the entire bag in a warm and sunny spot. You are really limited by the size of bag you use, and it must be a clear plastic bag, not colored. Many real greenhouses use plastic panes, so the concept is the same but the size of the greenhouse is much smaller.

Hoophouse

• A hoophouse is made of PVC pipes and then covered with plastic sheeting. This is a common type of makeshift greenhouse as it can be constructed over plants already in the ground or used as a traditional greenhouse. A hoophouse can be built to any size and shape as you just need different lengths of PVC piping and the PVC pipe joints. Think of the hoophouse as a series of hoops built in parallel. The sheeting is secured along the edges of the hoops by nailing or stapling to a length of wood, or you can anchor the edges with rocks.

Recycled Plastic Containers

• Use recycled plastic containers as makeshift greenhouses. You can use large, clear plastic containers or smaller containers, such as the kind used for takeout food. Stack two containers of the same size on top of each other for a completely clear container. Alternatively, you can use a larger cardboard box for the bottom of the greenhouse and then use a clear plastic container for the top of the box. These types of makeshift greenhouses work very well for seedlings and smaller plants.

Comforter Bag

• Insert a plastic milk crate into a large, clear, plastic comforter bag. The bag can easily be opened completely by undoing the zipper and the milk crate functions well as support for the bag. This makes a wider and taller makeshift greenhouse than using large, gallon plastic bags. Use this type of makeshift greenhouse for cuttings or smaller plants. It is very easy to move this type of greenhouse because of the support structure the milk crate provides. Leave the zipper on the bag open ever so slightly to allow for air circulation.