If you’ve been dreaming of expanding your gardening possibilities, maybe a DIY greenhouse is the way to go! Whether you’re wanting to grow veggies year round, start early seeds in spring, or protect your tender plants from the elements there are many budget friendly creative ideas to get you started. Here are 18 greenhouse ideas to fire your imagination and encourage your own garden planning.
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Portable PVC Greenhouse for Small Spaces
For the space constrained gardener, a portable PVC greenhouse is a great solution. It is also light and portable and good for small backyards or patios.
Here we see an adorable PVC greenhouse. The translucent material allows sunlight while protecting plants from the elements. You can also spot potted plants indoors, an indication of how this greenhouse conserves space for herbs and flowers.
This arrangement can help lengthen the amount of time you are growing plants, keeping them in a warm space. And a design so simple can be replicated with PVC pipes and plastic sheeting.
If you want to get started, choose your plants. Under these conditions, herbs such as basil and cilantro flourish. Even the tiniest of spaces can be made into a miniature Eden, with imagination.
Wooden Pallet Greenhouse Structure
Constructing a greenhouse from wooden pallets is an environmentally sustainable means to get into gardening. This space makes clear the beauty and elegance of pallets as living spaces. Check out how well the warm wood harmonizes with the plants, providing a wonderful environment for them to flourish.
Shelves are made from pallets, so your pots and plants are on easy display. This arrangement is also functional as it fosters organization and utilizes floor space efficiently. The transparent roof allows sunlight to enter and provide your plants with necessary light.
One advantage of this type of greenhouse is that it is inexpensive. Pallets are often free or inexpensive and available to nearly any gardener. It also helps add a little rustic charm to your backyard space.
First, take your needs into consideration when designing your wooden pallet greenhouse. Will you want a potting bench? An area to sit? These concepts are easy to adopt, enhancing your experience in the garden.
Tunnel Greenhouse for Year-Round Gardening
If you love fresh produce year-round, a tunnel greenhouse is a useful accessory to any garden. Those typically consist of a long arched structure covered with clear plastic, which allows sunlight to warm the inside, and shelters your plants from the elements.
The greenhouse in the picture appears to be a well organized tunnel greenhouse. Green plants are growing on either side of a sandy path, soaking in sunlight. The clear cover creates an open atmosphere filled with light to provide an optimum temperature for growth.
Tunnel greenhouses are inexpensive and fairly simple to construct. They keep plants warm in the winter and cool in the summer, making them good for an extended growing season.
You can use this system to grow any number of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Picture having your very own edible green space, a private garden retreat you can pluck from to make a meal. It is such an easy way to liven up your gardening!
Raised Bed Greenhouse Combo
A raised bed and greenhouse combo is a great way to maximize gardening space. This arrangement lets you grow different plants in raised beds while giving them the protection of a greenhouse.
The photo shows a neat, green, vibrant greenhouse. The raised beds are orderly, filled with tomatoes and lettuce and squash. This approach improves growth and makes it easier to maintain your garden.
The main benefit to using raised beds is better drainage and soil quality. The raised structure warms the soil and can provide for an earlier growing season. Plus, it’s easier on the back when planting and tending to your crops!
If you want to up the ante in style, think about including some hanging planters or pots. It is a practical arrangement but one that also makes for an inviting place to garden.
Greenhouse on a Budget Using Clear Tarps
You don’t have to spend a fortune to create a greenhouse. Using clear tarps is an inexpensive way to be able to grow your plants year around. This is a very basic but practical greenhouse out of clear tarps to let the light in but provide a protective covering from the elements for your plants.
The door is a rustic design in wood. Inside, you can see lush greenery growing happily in their warm environment. While this serves a purpose, it also looks fabulous in any garden.
You can make your greenhouse as large or small as your space allows by using tarps. This makes it easy and low cost for gardeners who want to experiment with various plants.
If you’d like to make your own tarp greenhouse, collect clear tarps, a strong frame such as PVC pipes or wood and some strong ties or clips. Construct the frame then cover it with tarps, tightly, so that the tarps will hold up. The end result will be a protected area for your plants to grow.
Mini Greenhouse with Shelving Units
A shelving unit mini greenhouse is a cute touch for growing space. This design is ideal for a person who wishes to cultivate many different kinds of plants without huge expanses of land. The shelves take advantage of vertical space, allowing more plants in a smaller area.
There are a few shelves of potted plants in the picture. The brown colors of the pots and the greens of the leaves stand out. A mini greenhouse nurtures herbs, flowers and small shrubs. They are arranged in tiers, making it easy to reach your plants.
This encourages maximum growth potential and looks good in your garden. Mixing pot sizes can make for an attractive display and help ensure that each plant gets the light it needs. If using pots, consider labeling them for easier identification.
Building a mini greenhouse like this can also be a fun DIY project. The shelving units are adaptable to your individual space and aesthetic. It allows both expert and novice growers to experiment with different varieties of plants and methods of gardening.
A-Frame Greenhouse for Easy Access
The A-frame greenhouse is an adorable design and functional building. The triangular design is visually appealing and makes it easy to reach your plants.
Walk up to this greenhouse and its double doors will open, ushering you into a green paradise. Inside are wooden tables for potting plants or showcasing your latest gardening projects. The large glass panes let the natural light in, keeping your plants in a nice warm place.
Imported flowers and plants made a colorful entrance. Colorful flowers abound in raised garden beds along the way, enticing you to play and have fun with your gardening.
It is a great design because it makes it easy to water or simply appreciate the beauty of your garden. An A-frame greenhouse is a cute way to grow and protect your plants, and your growing season, outdoors.
Upcycled Window Greenhouse
An upcycled window greenhouse is a fun way to recycle old windows while making a cozy place for your plants. This provides plenty of natural light to enter, nurturing your plants.
You can see the charming use of mostly salvaged windows for a greenhouse in the photo. It has large, transparent panes, so that the sun can stream in, lighting up the colorful plants. The potted plants are uniformly set on the floor, each thriving in its own corner. It would look lovely in the garden with its rustic wood frame. It protects your plants, but also provides a tranquil space for you to sit, think and connect with nature. Now, picture entering this greenhouse, amid all that greenery, with the smell of earth all around you.
A greenhouse made from upcycled windows can be a fun project to build your own. Begin by scavenging windows from friends or vendors. Finally, hang them both in a way that fits your space. You can create a greenhouse that does its job and looks great if you think a bit laterally.
Glass Bottle Greenhouse with Eco-Friendly Flair
If you are brainstorming DIY greenhouse ideas, a glass bottle greenhouse is an especially charming and green option. This design ingeniously employs glass bottles to create an edifice that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally sustainable.
The greenhouse depicted has a traditional form that enhances light entry. These clear bottles create the walls and roofs which allow light in while keeping the environment snug for your plants. This is a great way to recycle waste material.
You can see healthy potted plants growing inside, a testament to the efficacy of this green greenhouse. The glass building, with all that greenery, is a beautiful place to start seedlings and herbs. The green also helps, lending some freshness to the design.
If you want to build one of your own, gather some bottles, a sturdy frame and some tools. A little ingenuity and elbow grease can yield a space that helps your garden thrive and sends a bold message about sustainability. This is your opportunity to combine gardening with art!
Greenhouse with Solar Panels for Sustainability
Think of a greenhouse teeming with colors and sunlight filtering through glass. It is green, but this greenhouse stands out for its greenness. There is also a solar panel attached to the greenhouse using solar energy for its operation. It is a harmonious marriage of nature and technology.
Walking through the greenhouse brings you alongside healthy rows of plants, all growing under well lit and energy efficient conditions. This greenhouse is also designed to run on little to no environmental impact, as it uses solar panels. This is an encouraging model of gardening and sustainability.
The introduction of solar power could also enable creative applications such as automated watering systems or temperature control, all functioning on clean and renewable energy. As you walk through, you see how each thing works together to create a sustainable gardening space. It is a fun way to garden, and it is good for the planet.
Reclaimed Wood Greenhouse with Vintage Charm
A greenhouse made from reclaimed wood will impart cottage appeal to any garden. The wood warmth plays nicely with the bright flower colors. It beckons you to go in and get to your gardening.
The structure has large glass windows that lets in plenty of light; a perfect space to cultivate your favorite plants. You can see the use of natural materials in the design, part of an environmentally sound approach to gardening.
It certainly would make a nice place to pot plants, or to sit with a cup of tea. It is quite cozy and is filled with rustic furniture, like a lovely camp. Ideal for starting seedlings or displaying established plants, this greenhouse blends beautifully in a tranquil garden.
This style of greenhouse allows you to appreciate your garden year round. Not only is it functional but it also adds personality and warmth to your outdoor area.
Container Greenhouse for Limited Space Gardening
If space is limited, you can still grow lots of plants by using a container greenhouse. It’s a greenhouse that lets you grow fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers, even in a small space.
The photo is a beautiful container greenhouse making the best of its environment. It is an attractive building: glass walls and roof that lets in light while keeping out the elements. Inside are several potted plants, each in its own room.
It is easy to maintain a garden using containers. You can shuffle pots to get the best sun or bring them indoors on cold nights. It’s also an excellent option for adding some greenery to a patio or balcony, if not a full-on yard.
There’s no reason, hobutthat you can’t design a joyful greenhouse that works for you. No matter if you grow herbs for cooking or flowers for color, a container greenhouse can improve your gardening experience.
Portable Greenhouse on Wheels
For serious gardeners who want some mobility in their gardening, a wheeled portable greenhouse is an interesting option. Imagine being able to move your plants to catch the best sunlight or shield them from severe weather. This delightful greenhouse has glass walls to let the light in, but it protects your plants and keeps them cozy.
They also have a rugged design, conscious of having to stand up to certain environmental conditions. Plus, the wheels make it easy to move, whether you want it close to your home or near a sunny spot in your yard.
Inside, there are colorful potted plants; this is one possibility for the flexible structure. Everything from herbs to flowers can grow well in a portable greenhouse. And it is such a sweet little element to have in a garden plan.
This kind of greenhouse can be particularly helpful for people in regions with shifting climates. It’s easy to transport to get it out of the way of your plants when frost or a downpour are in the forecast. It’s gardening made easy and fun!
Cedar Frame Greenhouse for Durability
There are few better things to add to a garden than a cedar frame greenhouse. Cedar’s intrinsic beauty adds warmth and strength and durability to your environment. Cedar does not rot and is a safe material for outdoor construction.
The photograph depicts an adorable cedar greenhouse. It is a cheery wooden frame, set against colorful flowers. The glass panels receive lots of sun, so your plants do well inside. The double doors swing wide for easy plant access and fresh air.
When you build a greenhouse out of cedar, durability is part of the investment. Cedar does not rot like other woods, and can be left alone to weather in the elements, unlike other materials, and still look good. And the smell of cedar, well, it’s just nice to be out gardening with that. This greenhouse looks great but it also works well to provide a perfect environment for your growing plants.
When you are starting seeds or tendering delicate plants, a cedar frame greenhouse can be a snug refuge. It’s a useful project that makes your home better and improves your experience with gardening. So if you are looking to up your garden game, this is a style to consider!
DIY Hoop House for Quick Setup
A hoop house is a cheap and easy way to extend your growing season. This image depicts a proper hoop house structure, built out of clear plastic to allow sunlight in while providing protection from inclement weather. This is a good choice for quick installation.
The door is open, providing easy access to the thick foliage. There are healthy plants growing. The layout is welcoming and feels like a place where gardeners should want to walk in and take care of their plants.
Setting up a hoop house takes relatively few materials, making it a low barrier option for the do it yourself crowd. It usually consists of a series of curved PVC pipes, covered with plastic sheeting. This kind of construction retains warmth and moisture, promoting plant growth.
Hoop houses are useful if you want to grow vegetables or flowers. They are easy to access for checking growth and making adjustments. And it’s a sweet addition to your garden.
Vertical Garden Greenhouse for Urban Spaces
The vertical garden greenhouse is an ingenious approach to maximize space in an urban environment, where space is at a premium. It’s a great design for growing all kinds of things, even if you don’t have a big yard. The photo depicts a well stocked and spacious greenhouse.
The greenhouse is made of glass so that ample natural light can enter, which is necessary for healthy plants. Note how the plants are positioned on the floor and climbing up walls. This procedure not only allows for the most efficient use of space, but also provides for a comfortable space.
Herbs and flowers, even tiny vegetables, can flourish in such an environment. Now picture walking into this greenhouse and being enveloped in the colors and aromas of your own plants. In a busy city, it’s a lovely way to do that.
Shelving units or wall-mounted planters can be used to build your own vertical garden greenhouse. Select small plants that thrive in small places, such as trailing vines and small succulents, and consider how best to position them for light and watering. Even a tiny patch can become a green sanctuary with a little imagination.
Hexagonal Greenhouse for Unique Design
Consider the difference entering this greenhouse than the average rectangle. A hexagonal greenhouse is a quirky and artistic way to enjoy your garden, and also maximizes sun exposure. Their unique shape allows for increased light penetration which is often more suitable for plant growth.
Inside is a plant-strewn oasis. The assortment, from leafy ferns to flowering plants, sets a welcoming mood. Smaller sized and varied textured pots are employed, and combined, to pleasing effect, making it a fun place to exercise your green thumb.
This design promotes a sense of oneness with the natural world. The angles of the hexagon also make for comfortable corners to sit in and the perfect place to enjoy the shade of plants. It encourages you to linger in your garden, which is a good thing.
Folding Greenhouse for Seasonal Storage
A folding greenhouse is a nifty idea for gardeners who like options. With this style of greenhouse, you can have the advantages of a controlled environment without a permanent installation. At the end of the season it’s easy to fold up and stash away, which is great for space-challenged gardeners.
The photo shows a lovely folding greenhouse. The panels were clear allowing loads of light in but protecting from the elements. Inside are multiple thriving plants, demonstrating how well this setup works for growing greens and flowers.
A folding greenhouse is also a pleasure to use. It’s easy to get it up and running, often done in a couple of hours. Simply build the frame, add the panels and you’re ready to grow!
In winter, the entire greenhouse can be dismantled and stored away in a shed or garage. This conserves space and will protect your investment from the elements. A folding greenhouse is a smart way to increase your gardening options without swallowing up your backyard.
These 18 DIY greenhouse ideas will suit gardeners from novices to pros. For either a tiny and mobile or a more permanent garden structure, consider these ideas to kick off your creativity. So why wait? Start to create your own green oasis today and reap the benefits come year.