The Home Gardener: Glasshouse for Plants
I feel incredibly fortunate to be married to a carpenter who absolutely LOVES building, renovating, and creating! In 2020, he enthusiastically built me a greenhouse. This beautiful glasshouse is constructed from wood and glass, with a sturdy plastic roof. Some of the materials we used were generously sourced from friends and neighbors. Some of them had old glass windows from a house renovation they were looking to discard, which was perfect for our needs. We happily reused these windows to build our greenhouse. This decision not only made the project more affordable but also added charm to the structure while promoting sustainability. One of my favorite aspects of our greenhouse is the abundance of natural light that pours through the glass panels, creating an inviting and vibrant environment.
Using Repurposed Materials for a Greenhouse
If you’re planning to build a greenhouse, consider reaching out to friends, neighbors, or local communities. Many people renovating their homes may have building materials they no longer need, such as large windows, wood, or other construction supplies. These can significantly reduce your costs while adding character to your greenhouse. For those who prefer a more straightforward option, affordable greenhouse kits are available and can serve as a practical alternative.
When planning your greenhouse, think carefully about your specific needs. What size and design will suit your garden? Do you want it to be primarily functional, or do you also want it to enhance your garden’s aesthetics? These considerations will guide your choices and help you build a greenhouse that meets both your practical and visual expectations.
Important Considerations Before Building a Greenhouse
Before deciding where to place your greenhouse, it’s essential to evaluate the conditions in your garden. Is the spot sunny enough? Is there a reliable water source nearby? Even in a small garden, finding the optimal location will ensure your plants thrive. Also, think about seasonal changes—how will the greenhouse hold up during cold winter months or in regions with extreme weather?
Additionally, consider the structure itself. Is it strong and durable? Does it have a solid foundation to withstand various weather conditions? The greenhouse’s design is another important aspect. Think about where it will look most appealing in your garden and whether it will be conveniently located. Personally, I prefer having the greenhouse close to our home since I use the fresh produce almost daily for cooking. A nearby greenhouse is more practical and saves time, especially when you need quick access to tomatoes, cucumbers, or herbs. Beyond its utility, having a beautiful greenhouse adds joy and visual appeal to the garden. Our greenhouse, with its carefully chosen materials and charming design, frames our garden in such a lovely way that it makes me happy.
Our Well-Ventilated Greenhouse
Although my husband hasn’t yet completed all the finer details of our greenhouse, its ventilation system works remarkably well. He installed small plastic windows at the top of both the front and back of the greenhouse, allowing hot air to escape easily. In the summer, when temperatures soar, these vents help maintain a comfortable environment for the plants. While roof vents or automatic openers would be an excellent addition in the future, this simple setup has been very effective for us.
The ventilation system has ensured that overheating hasn’t been an issue, and the plants—especially my beloved tomato plants—have thrived. Additionally, pest problems have been minimal, thanks to the controlled environment inside the greenhouse (and that I take good care of the plants, haha). I am thankful for this type of greenhouse which helps me keep everything organized in our garden.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
One challenge I’ve faced is with young plants in the greenhouse. Occasionally, they seem to vanish overnight. I suspect snails might be the culprits. To prevent this, I now transplant slightly larger, sturdier plants into the greenhouse, as they are better able to withstand pests and minor temperature fluctuations. Timing is also crucial when transferring plants. Spring is a delicate time for gardening, and getting the conditions just right takes some effort. Seedlings started indoors are tender and need to be moved into the greenhouse only when they are strong enough and outside temperature are right.
If you’re unsure whether the time is right to transplant, experiment with just one plant first. This way, if it doesn’t survive, you can adjust your approach without losing all your seedlings. I once made the mistake of transplanting my cucumber plants too early—they all died, which was disheartening. However, I learned from that experience and have been much more cautious ever since. The ideal environment is always what you strive for as a gardener. Plants grow best when they thrive and are well taken care of, which, of course, you can achieve!
Another thing to keep in mind is that it can be a good idea to build the greenhouse with safety glass. We have had several incidents where the kids were playing with toy airplanes, and they hit the glass, breaking it. Of course, this is something that happens with kids—things break. The good news is that you can either leave it broken (if it’s safe for the kids) for better ventilation or replace the glass.
Our Freestanding Greenhouse: From Bottom to Top
Here’s what our greenhouse is made of:
- Planter boxes constructed from impregnated wood.
- Non-impregnated wood and plastic separating the plants from the treated wood.
- A central floor area for easy access and movement.
- Glass windows on the sides, front, and back, with panels in between.
- Small plastic ventilation windows above the glass panels for airflow.
- A white plastic roof that allows plenty of light to enter while giving the greenhouse a clean, modern appearance.
The structure is strong and resilient, capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions—a crucial feature for us since we live in a wooded area.
Our First Greenhouse: A Plastic Disaster
When we first started gardening, we purchased a small plastic greenhouse (I guess it was a polycarbonate greenhouse, with a sliding door). This was during a hectic time with a newborn, and we thought it would be a quick solution. Unfortunately, it turned out to be more trouble than it was worth! Assembling it was stressful, and it wasn’t very stable. Strong winds frequently detached the plastic panels, and during winter, heavy snow caused the entire structure to collapse. While it was functional for one summer, it was far from ideal. This experience motivated us to build a sturdier and more reliable greenhouse, which has been a fantastic upgrade. My husband used the existing structure to build our second greenhouse, which I think was a good idea!
Remember, if something does not work out, you can always change it! Upgrading to a glass house was a great way for us to start our gardening on a more advanced level! At the same time, if you have a positive experience with plastic greenhouses and it feels like the right choice for you, please do not take my advice to upgrade! Enjoy your greenhouse to the fullest! You have done a great choice!
Greenhouse Success: What Thrives Inside
These are some of the plants that have thrived in our greenhouses:
- Tomatoes: Several varieties.
- Cucumbers: Particularly the smaller varieties, with one plant producing over 80 cucumbers!
- Chili plants: These have been incredibly productive.
- Squash: Although they grow well in the greenhouse, they take up a lot of space and do just as well outdoors.
- Peppers: These have been more challenging and less productive, but I would like to experiment with new methods.
There are so many more plants I would like to cultivate but have not tried yet! The possibilities are truly endless, and I cannot wait to start working in our garden again. One thing to keep in mind, though, is the greenhouse temperatures, as not all plants require that level of heat. Some plants thrive in it, so those are the ones you should prioritize planting there! Also, keeping the humidity level right will help them thrive.
Our Third Greenhouse
Last summer, we decided to expand our gardening setup by building a second, larger greenhouse. Constructed with the same materials as our second freestanding greenhouse—old glass windows, impregnated wood, and a plastic roof—this greenhouse offers even more space for cultivation. Although it isn’t fully finished yet, it has already proven valuable. Late planting and unfinished construction led to some challenges, such as high winds affecting tender plants, but I’m excited to continue refining it next season.
For clarification: We now have two greenhouses in our garden which have glass panes, which I think have the right conditions for our plants. This is only a hobby greenhouse, well, both are, but we cultivate a lot during the growing season.
Future Goals: Irrigation System
One improvement I’m eager to implement is a reliable and efficient irrigation system. Watering by hand with a hose every day can be time-consuming and ties us to home. A well-designed system would make gardening more enjoyable and free up time for other tasks. I’ve seen friends use excellent irrigation setups, and I hope to create something similar that works well for both our greenhouses and outdoor garden.
This would also be a perfect learning experiment for our kids. It would be awesome if they would learn how the irrigation system works. I guess I will always be this homeshcooling mom who loves to learn and see my children learn and grow. And the garden is the perfect learning environment for kids and families.
Start Planning Your Greenhouse
Inspired? Start planning your greenhouse today! Grab a notebook, sketch your ideas, and consider your garden’s unique needs. Discuss your budget, materials, and design preferences with your partner or family. Remember, the hardest part is getting started—but once you begin, you’ll discover how rewarding it can be. Gardening is a journey of constant learning and improvement, so don’t get discouraged by initial challenges. Reuse materials wherever possible, stay creative, and enjoy the process. Your efforts will be rewarded with a flourishing garden and delicious homegrown produce!
Make the greenhouse personal
Whatever greenhouse you build will be the right greenhouse for you! Something I enjoyed doing last summer was making it personal. By that, I mean decorating the inside with a board featuring a picture and a nice text. I also added hooks in easily accessible places where I hung shovels of different varieties and scissors. On the shelves or edges, I placed small pots for growing plants and garden twine.
This setup makes working in the greenhouse even more enjoyable when everything is in order and pleasant to look at. I love having things organized, as it makes the work so much more enjoyable. I believe it’s important to make these small adjustments to enhance your sense of well-being. Even with a simple design, adding personal touches gives it that final touch of uniqueness.
Your unique features are exactly what your greenhouse needs! You’ll also feel proud to show off your cool greenhouse to visitors. When you thrive in your greenhouse, I bet the plants will thrive too. Don’t you think this will create the perfect environment for your plants?
With that being said, I hope you enjoy the process of working in your garden, building your green house, watching your greenhouse plants grow, and also finding time to relax with your family!
