Building a green house sounds overwhelming but can be cheap and easy. We built an enclosed garden in our back yard this spring. In the winter months, with the help of a little sheet plastic, it will serve as a cheap green house. Green house building is not in my list of skills but this cheap method is quite simple and I learned quickly.
The posts
To begin building a cheap green house/enclosed garden you will need 2x4x8 lumber and cement mix. The amount needed depends on the size of the green house. You will need 4 vertical corner posts as well as one vertical post every three to four feet for the frame. You will also need horizontal posts all the way around the top and bottom of the frame.
Making post holes and setting posts
Use a post hole digger to dig holes for building the four corners of the green house. Be sure to take accurate measurements to evenly place the holes. Stand a 2×4 up in one of the holes and brace it while using a level to insure that it is straight. The 4 inch width should face the front and back of the green house. Mix the cement as directed and pour it into the hole with the post braced in place.
Repeat this step in building the other three corner posts of the cheap green house. When the cement is dry, remove the braces. The other support posts do not need to be cemented in. They can be dirt packed in. A string can be strung around all the corner posts to help place the rest of the posts evenly. Use the level and braces for these dirt packed posts.
Framing it out
Once all the posts are in place, it’s time to build the rest of the cheap green house frame. The horizontal posts at the top and bottom are screwed into the vertical posts with an electric drill and three inch construction screws. The posts should be measured so as to be flush at the corners of the cheap green house. The horizontal posts will need to meet in the center of the other posts for attachment purposes. Use the level prior to screwing the frame together.
If your cheap green house is larger than 8×10, bracing posts will need to be screwed in from side to side. Measure the distance between sides and use the level for placement. Drill screws in from the front and back of the frame to hold the bracing posts in place. The bracing posts will insure the stability of the cheap green house in bad weather.
The door
We used an old screen door that was a bit tall for our cheap green house. One that fits better can be constructed by building a frame and stretching screen across it. Hinges and a lock can be placed on the outside of the cheap green house frame to eliminate the need for a built in door frame. Once the door is in place, it’s time to weather proof the cheap green house.
Weather proofing
Coat the entire frame and the wooden part of the door with outdoor paint or weatherproofing. We wanted to keep things cheap so we used some old paint purchased for the shed and picnic table in our yard. Weather proofing and paint are available in brush on and sprays. Weather proofing leaves a more natural look to the wood frame. One coat is sufficient but two coats lasts longer.
Make it dual purpose
If you are using the cheap green house as an enclosed garden in the summer months, it will need to be screened in. Chicken wire is the cheap alternative to screening. It gives the enclosed cheap green house garden a rustic look. The chicken wire is also great for climbing vines. Use an industrial staple gun or hand pounded staples to attach the chicken wire all around and on top of the cheap green house.
In the winter months, purchase rolls of cheap plastic and staple them to the cheap green house frame. The enclosed garden can continue to be utilized this way for most of the winter. With the addition of a cheap portable heater, the cheap green house garden can continue to produce crops all year.
More from Jaipi:
Starting a Garden with Little or No Money Down
5 Fun Uses for a Tiny House in the Garden
Growing Garden Hideouts for Kids
