These homemade greenhouse ideas make use of recycled household materials in a fun new way. Extend your growing season with one of these creative ideas for DIY greenhouses, cold frames and terrariums.
When I tour Botanical gardens around the USA, the ones that appeal to me most are those that have greenhouses as part of the gardens.
I’ve been trying to get my husband to build me a greenhouse in our back yard for years, but it seems that this is one project that just gets put on the back burner indefinitely.
Since I haven’t seen signs that this project will happen any time soon, I thought I would see what other homemade greenhouse ideas were available.
Using recycled materials in projects appeals to me and many of these DIY greenhouses do just that. They are also a help in steps we can take to protect the environment in small ways.
Why have a greenhouse?
One of the many things that I love most about greenhouses is that they are both pretty and practical. Greenhouses are equally at home in a small backyard or in a sprawling English cottage garden.
The purpose of a greenhouse is to protect plants from excess cold or heat and to keep away unwanted pests. A greenhouse makes it possible for us to garden all year round – even in the winter!
Whether you are starting seeds for your summer vegetable garden, or propagating plants to get new ones for free, a greenhouse will be a huge helper to you.
Normal greenhouse designs are made of hardwood and glass and can be quite expensive. Here is something you might not know, though – You don’t actually need to a lot of money to own a greenhouse yourself.
DIY greenhouses can be put together quite inexpensively if you make use of recycled common household materials.
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A greenhouse doesn't have to be a huge expenditure. Find out how to recycle common household items to make greenhouses, cold frames and terrariums at The Gardening Cook. Share on XTypes of Greenhouses
Greenhouses come in many forms. There are large upscale buildings that blend beautifully into the decor of your property and small make-shift designs with plastic tubing and siding that do the job in a more practical way.
You can put together mini greenhouses that act as a terrarium to house indoor plants or use cold frames to grow vegetable greens even in the dead of winter.
Difference between a greenhouse and a cold frame
The main difference between a cold frame and a greenhouse is that a cold frame is normally a small, simple structure that is just a few feet tall, whereas a greenhouse is a large structure that one can walk in.
Both are designed to keep the elements from plants and prolong the growing season when the weather turns cold.
Because of their size and construction, cold frames are a more cost friendly option.
These homemade greenhouse ideas make use of recycled materials
By using old windows, reclaimed wood, discarded pallets and soda bottles, these DIY greenhouses and cold frames will help you garden inexpensively all year long.
Don’t let the cold weather stop you from gardening. Try one of these creative ideas to extend your season, even during winter.
Make use of recycled materials in creative and exciting ways with these DIY greenhouses. From mini indoor designs to those suitable for the weather outside, there is a do it yourself greenhouse for all tastes. You will find plans for full sized greenhouses, mini indoor terrariums and cold frames to house your plants in winter when it's too cold to garden. Read on to discover how to make a greenhouse from recycled materials. Raised garden beds are easy on the back, but have you ever thought of using them to make a do it yourself greenhouse? This green house uses an existing raised garden bed and extends the sides up to add a mini greenhouse over it. Dollar Store picture frames get recycled to make this stunning mini indoor greenhouse that acts as a terrarium. An indoor greenhouse isn’t just for show on a table top as a bit of home decor. This tiny structure boosts the humidity for indoor plants and keeps the bugs away. Who knew that plastic bottles could be used to build a full sized recycled greenhouse? These designs have a futuristic look to them, don't you think? For those looking for a more temporary or seasonal greenhouse, this lightweight geodome greenhouse might be just the one to choose. This structure is made from wood, with a plastic covering over the openings. Best of all, it doesn't need a permit since it has no foundation. Don't have room for a full sized greenhouse? No problem. Even small-space home owners can start seeds outdoors with this clever umbrella mini greenhouse. This charming DIY greenhouse is called "Tinkerhouse." It is made from reclaimed doors, windows and millwork from a home renovation along with other recycled items. How adorable this greenhouse from recycled materials is! If you are looking for an inexpensive way to start seeds for your garden, these mini greenhouses will do the trick. The tutorial uses plastic storage containers to get those plants growing and get a head start on spring. Even during the winter months, it is possible to grow greens and herbs by using a cold frame. Building one is easy! Recycled windows, non-decomposing wood and hinges are the tools needed for this homemade cold frame. Children are a natural at gardening if given a chance. Letting them see the process up close is important. Create a single plant greenhouse from a recycled plastic drink bottle - it's a great way to get kids interested in both the environment and gardening. My local Craig’s List free section has pallets listed all the time. Recycle them make a useful garden greenhouse. This nifty and inexpensive greenhouse has been made from salvaged pallets. It is great solution for keeping plants alive in the winter if you live in a cold climate. Don't throw that old window away! Recycle it as the top of a homemade cold frame to house your flowers and vegetables during the colder months. Are you feeling ambitious? Popular Mechanics will walk you through the process of building a greenhouse from scratch. They cover topics from local ordinances to proper location of the greenhouse and more in this interesting article. The kids will love to watch the onions sprouting in this vertical onion greenhouse made out of a soda bottle.Homemade Greenhouse Ideas
Pin these homemade greenhouse ideas for later
Would you like a reminder of these DIY greenhouses, cold frames and terrariums? Just pin this image to one of your gardening boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.
Admin note: This post on homemade greenhouse ideas first appeared on the blog in April of 2013. I have updated the post to add new DIY greenhouses, new photos and more information on using recycled materials in greenhouses and cold frames.
Barb
Monday 29th of August 2022
Great article but if you are male, female, single, in a partnership or married - why wait on the other to build one. We are all capable humans and if you want something bad enough - do it! I’m sure this won’t make the comments…but makes me sad.
Jack Bothwell
Friday 19th of February 2021
Fantastic article. I am in the middle of building a cold frame greenhouse out of used double pane windows and used pressure treated lumber
Carol Speake
Friday 19th of February 2021
I've been trying to get my husband to build one of those for years!
ally johnson
Wednesday 22nd of July 2020
I've made many greenhouses over the years, and the last several were made with most of the materials "rescued" from the discard piles at the street curb.
Carol Speake
Wednesday 22nd of July 2020
Normally the problem is that monkey grass takes over, rather than it being slow to grow. I can't diagnose problems in a yard without seeing the yard in person, but it could be the clay soil. Some compost added to the soil might help to make it drain better.