Tips on saving money when building a homemade greenhouse. Materials can be expensive but they don’t have to be.

1. For your frame whether wood or PVC pipe go to a big do it yourself retailer. They are going to have some of the lowest prices around for a PVC or wood framed greenhouse. Don’t expect to find anyone knowledgable about greenhouses at these places though. If you have done your research you will know exactly what you need and how much. Doesn’t hurt to get a couple extra pieces just in case of a mistake. Find out how to start building your own homemade greenhouse.

2. Your covering or glazing material is also going to be found cheaply at a do it yourself retailer. The cheap way to go is heavy plastic wrapping around 8 mil transparent. It’s very inexpensive but easy to work with holds heat well. If you are in the market for a bit more sturdy material you can get fiberglass panels at these retailers. Glass is the top level but is expensive and can break.

3. To get the door you want on the cheap you might have some luck online with Craigslist. Sometimes people are getting rid of old stuff like this for pennies. Another place is the junkyard. A little bit of looking around can save you a hundred dollars.

Is it really possible to save money on a homemade greenhouse and still get good performance? It’s not true that you have to build a super expensive greenhouse to get the benefits. Some people see the kits at those retailers or on the web adn they are indeed very expensive. Also contracting it out is even more expensive than a kit because the work is all custom and usually pricy by the hour. You really don’t have to lay down tons of cash for ultra modern materials to get a good homemade greenhouse. They have been built like this for a long time.

The truth is that a good design and plan for your greenhouse is going to go a lot farther than money will. You can be super successful on a shoestring budget because you have more information than someone who just buys a big kit on a whim. You can have the most expensive materials available and it won’t perform as nice as a $100 greenhouse built in the best winter sun location. It’s all about knowledge of how greenhouses work and laying them out properly.

Don’t be discouraged because the amount of info you really need to know is small and is worth the research. You need to be willing to spend a little time with some good plans that are accompanied by solid greenhouse growing information and you will be growing on the cheap year round.

A homemade greenhouse is really in the reach of experienced and new gardeners. The trick is that growing outside is intuitive and we know what to do but inside a greenhouse things work a bit differently. Don’t build until you know what it takes and have a plan in front of you. Protect your plants and build a homemade greenhouse today.

The first and most important thing to the long term success of your greenhouse is the location. Getting maximum sunlight during the short winter days is critical. The south or southeast face of the greenhouse needs to be unobstructed by trees or your home or a fence. Trees can shadow just like the height of your home. The last part about location is to be sure that the build site is not prone to flooding and drains well.

There are a variety of different types of homemade greenhouses you can build on a budget. They all have their own plans and techniques to grow the best plants. You can save a little bit more if you have it attached to your home or a shed perhaps. That saves you from having to build that last wall.

For attached greenhouses you have these versions:

Window Mounted – attached to the side of your house, usually small
Even-span – attached to the end of your house, large and can be expanded
Lean-to – attached the to side of your house, usually large

Free standing greenhouses usually are erected in the middle of the garden away from trees and other sunlight obstructions. These can vary in shape, size, and building materials. Electricity and water source are the two main things to think about on a free standing greenhouse.

It is very important to have a good frame for your homemade greenhouse. Wood, steel, and aluminum and PVC pipe all can work for a greenhouse. There are many different frame designs that you will have to choose from. Pick one you like but be aware since you are building it yourself that a more complicated design will take longer to cut and build.

The easiest covering to go with is plastic film. Very cheap and easy to install because it comes in big rolls. Glass is always an option but is the most expensive and of course can break. Fiberglass is another option and can sometimes be found inexpensively.

Each town has a specific climate and that means the sun is higher or lower relatively and therefore the Winter is shorter or longer, respectively. Heating and ventilation needs can be calculated based on the size of your greenhouse and your climate. Not all gardeners will have the same needs as well. You might only need a heater for the short freezes. Some will need heaters for much longer periods of time. That can also mean bigger heater or multiple depending on how the climate is. There is also room for addons like a water delivery system like sprinklers or hydroponics and lights.

Homemade greenhouses are a small project that can reward you with beautiful vegetables, fruits and flowers for years to come.