Gardening is one of the oldest forms of homesteading. It’s a great way to get your hands dirty, learn about sustainable farming practices, and produce fresh fruits and vegetables. But what if you don’t have a lot of space? What if you want to grow more than just a few plants? This blog post will show you how to make a small greenhouse using common household materials.
What You’ll Need
To start building your small greenhouse, you’ll need a few supplies. The most important thing to remember is to select the right materials for the job, as not all materials will work with every type of greenhouse. Here are the items you’ll need:
- A piece of plywood at least 24″ by 36″ wide;
- Cordless drill;
- 1 1/4″ hole saws;
- Tape measure;
- Circular saw, or hand saw;
- Plywood sealant or wood glue;
- 6 screw eyes;
- Ruler or straight edge;
- Sandpaper (fine and medium);
- Stain or paint of your choice.
Once You Have Your Supplies, Follow These Simple Steps:
– Step One: Cut Your Plywood Board. The first step is to cut your plywood board. You’ll need a piece at least 24″ by 36″. You can use a circular or hand saw to do this. Make sure to keep the cuts perpendicular to the grain of the plywood so it will hold up better in the long run. Once you’ve cut the board, sand it to remove any rough edges.
– Step Two: Assemble Your Greenhouse. Now that your plywood board is ready, it’s time to assemble your greenhouse. Start by cutting two pieces of cordless drill pipe about 3 feet long. Drill one end of each pipe slightly larger than the hole saws and the other slightly smaller. Then, use the hole saws to cut a hole in each pipe that’s big enough for the screw eyes to fit through.
You’ll also need to make a small notch in one of the ends of each pipe so you can attach it to the plywood board. Once the pieces are cut and assembled, screw them into place using the six screw eyes.
– Step Three: Add Your Vision. If you’re planning on using your greenhouse to grow plants, you’ll need to add some vision. This means adding a window or two to see what’s happening inside. You can find pre-made greenhouse windows online or at your local hardware store. Alternatively, you can add some plywood panels to the front of your greenhouse and add your window frames.
– Step Four: Finish up the greenhouse. Now that your greenhouse is complete, it’s time to finish the outside. First, sand down any rough edges on the wood. Next, paint or stain the entire structure’s exterior, whichever color you’d like. Finally, add some trim around the window and door edges if desired. And there you have it! Your very own small greenhouse!
How to Grow Plants
Many options are available if you want to grow plants indoors without spending a fortune on soil and seeds. One of the simplest is to use an artificial grow light. You can purchase a small, cheap light kit or make your own using a light bulb and some electrical wire. Just be sure to buy the right kind of bulb for the specific grow light kit you’re using- most kits require cool white bulbs.
To create a small greenhouse, you need some insulation, plastic sheeting, and duct tape. Cut the insulation to fit around the outside of the plastic sheeting and duct tape it in place. Then cut a hole in one side of the plastic sheeting for your plant to grow through.
To keep your plants warm during winter, add additional layers of insulation and blackout curtains over the greenhouse window.
How to Harvest Your Crops
If you want to produce vegetables in your garden, one of the first steps is to find a way to protect them from the elements. You can build a small greenhouse or use a hoop house or other shelter.
There are many different types of greenhouses available on the market today. The most common type is a triangular structure made of plastic, aluminum, or wood that is open on one end and has a roof and walls that can be opened and closed to control the amount of sunlight and air exposure your crops receive.
These greenhouses are relatively easy to construct but do not provide excellent protection against wind and rain. To make the most of these structures, you may need to add additional features, such as an overhang on the front that will protect the crops from direct wind exposure, vents for air circulation, and awnings to shade the plants during hot weather.
If you don’t have room for a large greenhouse, you can still produce vegetables by building a hoop house. Hoop houses are similar in design to traditional greenhouses but are much smaller. They consist of two parallel wooden hoops about 4 feet apart and covered with plastic or metal sheets. The hoops can be raised or lowered using pulleys to provide varying levels of protection for your crops.
Like traditional greenhouses, hoop houses require additional features (such as ventilation) to function effectively.
Tips for Keeping Your Greenhouse Healthy
1. Provide adequate lighting. A well-lit greenhouse will help to maintain healthy plants and discourage pests.
2. Keep the temperature consistent. Inconsistent temperatures can lead to bacteria growth, which can damage your plants. Monitor the temperature regularly and adjust the settings as needed.
3. Clean the greenhouse regularly. Remove any debris or dust accumulating over time, and clean the walls and floors with a gentle cleaner. This will help to prevent harmful fungi and pests from taking hold.
4. Avoid overfertilizing your plants. Too much fertilizer can cause plant growth to be too vigorous, leading to problems such as nutrient burn or waterlogging (which can ruin your plants). Test your soil before adding any amendments, and only give them in small doses as needed.
If you are interested in this topic, this guide will show you everything you need to know. Thanks for reading!