12 Wood Greenhouse Plans You Can Build Easily - The Self-Sufficient Living (2024)

These easy plans for building a wood greenhouse will enable you to build a decorative and functional outbuilding that will not only allow you to grow food and flowers in the off-season, but will also add value to your property.

A DIY wood greenhouse can be built as a permanent structure, temporary structure, or something in-between to meet your gardening needs.

Check out our round up of these 12 wood greenhouse plans that you can build easily to find the DIY structure that is right for your gardening needs.

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1- Fiberglass Panel Greenhouse Plan

These free plans will show you how to build a permanent greenhouse by greatsouthernwoodusing fiberglass panels over a wooden frame.

* Select a level location that receives full sun.

* Build the wood frame according to directions (measurements and shopping list included in these free plans)

* Attach fiberglass panels to let the sun in and keep the elements out.

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2- Wood Frame Greenhouse Plan

Here we have a DIY structure by blackanddeckerthat can be created in any size needed and can be semi-permanent or permanent. The plastic sheeting that covers the wood frame will last 3-5 years and can easily be replaced or the structure taken apart, depending on your future needs.

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3- Extend Growing Season

Use these step by step plans to build a large wood frame greenhouse by theelliotthomesteadthat will enable you to extend your food growing season. Harvest fresh greenhouse vegetables almost year around when using a large greenhouse like these plans will enable you to build. Get crops started earlier in the spring with the growing space this homemade greenhouse will provide.

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4- Small Wooden Greenhouse

This size is perfect for most home gardeners and will enable you to have fresh produce and/or flowers almost 12 months out of each year without taking up the entire backyard.

* Select a location that is in full sun.

* Decide on size and buy lumber, door and polyethylene foil (according to detailed list included with free plans)

* Create this functional and decorative greenhouse with top vents.

Find out complete instructions of this small wooden greenhouse at greatsouthernwood.com

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5- Industrial Size DIY Wood Greenhouse

This DIY greenhouse by uk-gardeningis for the serious gardener who depends upon their homegrown vegetables as part of a sustainable lifestyle or for income production. Great for growing plants on shelves and in grow boxes. You may also like to see hoop house plans.

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6- Raised Bed Wood Greenhouse Plans

This style of wood greenhouse by wayneofthewoodsallows for indoor and outdoor gardening.

* Pick a sunny, level location and install 6 wooden support posts.

* Lay insulation board on the ground and cover with at least 18 inches of soil (this will be the raised bed).

* Build and install the top frame for roof.

* Cover structure with plastic to hold heat inside. Remove plastic in spring.

Get the instructions for this raised bed greenhouse

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7- Cheap Greenhouse

Small wood greenhouse by runnerduckthat can be built against another outbuilding. The small size and use of exterior wall space from another structure make this an inexpensive DIY build. Great for seed starting in spring so you can get a head start on the garden growing season.

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8- Pallet Wood Greenhouse Plans

Use these plansand recycle wood pallets into a functional and attractive greenhouse plans like this one by thegreenlever. Wood planks from pallets can also be used to create walkways within the greenhouse. You may also like to see cold frame plans.

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9- Cedar Greenhouse Plan

These plansare for a medium sized greenhouse made with a cedar wood frame like this one by myoutdoorplans. Cedar wood is long lasting and stands up well to the elements, making it a good wood choice for structures that are intended to be permanent.

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10- Small Greenhouse Plans

Build your own small greenhouse by Follow this instructional YouTube from 2×4 lumber and plastic. Small size, but big on plant production.

11- Floored Greenhouse Plan

This easy to build greenhouse by ideadonnafarmhas a plywood floor and plywood half-walls, topped with a wood frame covered with plastic. This simple and functional design will last for years and can easily be transformed into a different type of outdoor structure (work shop, playhouse, tool shed, etc.) if the time comes when it’s no longer needed for a greenhouse. You may also like to see pvc greenhouse plans.

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12- 8×8 Wood Frame Greenhouse Plans

Classic style that is easy to build and efficient to use. Simple wood frame with one door and three air vents, all covered with plastic provides plenty of space for seed starting and plant growing. Get the detail for this wood frame greenhouse by construct101.

Conclusion

Greenhouses help you to extend the growing season and get vegetables year round. Now you have ample resources from the list we have shared with you to decide to make one for yourself that suits your style and budget. Hope our article has helped you!

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12 Wood Greenhouse Plans You Can Build Easily - The Self-Sufficient Living (2024)

FAQs

What is the best wood to build a greenhouse out of? ›

I've got four good options for you: pressure treated lumber, naturally rot-resistant lumber, cull wood, and pallet wood. Let's look at each of these. This type of lumber is very common and is typically found anywhere that lumber is sold. It's commonly used for decks and fences, and is usually southern yellow pine.

How long do wood greenhouses last? ›

One of the main issues with traditional wooden greenhouses is their durability. For instance, greenhouses made from softwoods such as pine and cedar are usually limited to a life span of between 10 and 25 years before a replacement is required.

How to build an efficient greenhouse? ›

One way is to use a winter-ready poly film glazing, which is commonly used in northern climate regions and is heavier and more opaque. It is better at attracting heat during the day, and at night it reflects heat back into the greenhouse. Another option is to install a water wall for passive solar heat.

What is the easiest greenhouse to build? ›

Arched PVC Greenhouse

This is a great starter greenhouse if you're just starting to experiment with growing in a greenhouse. PVC pipes are also pretty affordable and using them is a budget-friendly way to build a greenhouse.

What is the most inexpensive way to build a greenhouse? ›

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to build your own greenhouse is to use plastic sheeting, which is readily available at most hardware stores. Typically, you will want sheeting that is four or six mils thick. First, you will need to construct a frame to attach the plastic sheeting to.

What are the disadvantages of a wooden greenhouse? ›

Disadvantages: Maintenance - Wooden frames, depending on the timber species and original treatment may require regular maintenance, such as applying a yearly preservative, painting, or staining, in order to protect them from rot, decay, and insect damage.

How warm do greenhouses stay in winter? ›

As a bare minimum, you can keep your heated greenhouse frost free at 3C (37F), but tender plants like pelargoniums, half hardy fuchsias and citrus trees are happier with a minimum temperature of 7C (45F), and safest at 10C (50F).

Do greenhouses get too hot in summer? ›

First and foremost, it's essential to understand what the perfect temperature for your DIY backyard greenhouse should be. Ideally, anywhere between , 80-85°F (26-29°C) is the golden standard throughout the spring and summer months. Anything higher than 90°F (32°C) is cause for alarm.

How big of a greenhouse do I need to be self sufficient? ›

Around 400 sq ft (20' x 20') is what we would recommend to eliminate the need for the grocery store.

Is it cheaper to build or buy a greenhouse? ›

If you purchase a standard greenhouse kit with no frills, it will likely cost less than it would to build a greenhouse from scratch. However, if you want a customized large greenhouse, it will be more cost effective to build it yourself.

What is the most efficient greenhouse shape? ›

The geodesic dome is the most efficient shape for a passive solar greenhouse. The spherical surface of the Growing Dome® geodesic passive solar greenhouse allows for even heat gain as it tracks the sun throughout the day.

What is a cheaper alternative to a greenhouse? ›

Summer houses, sheds and outbuildings with lots of windows and natural light are sturdy and inexpensive options for a greenhouse. Try swapping wood panels for extra large windows or a glazed front half with cost-effective greenhouse glazing.

How can I heat my greenhouse cheaply? ›

The best way to heat a greenhouse for free is to store solar energy in thermal mass inside the greenhouse. While this may sound complicated, the process is relatively simple. Use large black water butts filled with water inside the greenhouse to hold heat collected by the sun.

Do I need pressure-treated wood for a greenhouse? ›

First, determine if pressure-treated lumber is needed. Unless the application is in a wet or very humid location or in contact with soil, treated lumber may not be necessary. For example, at UConn, the non-treated fir lumber frame of a greenhouse built in 1966 was still very strong in 2000 when it was taken down.

What is the best material to make a greenhouse out of? ›

Best Greenhouse Covering Materials
  • Polyethylene: The most common and cost-efficient material, polyethylene is durable and has great light transmission. ...
  • Polycarbonate: Also a good choice, polycarbonate is almost as transparent as glass.
Aug 19, 2022

What is the best material for a greenhouse frame? ›

Galvanized steel frames are a good option for people who want a durable, low-maintenance frame. They're really strong – so you need fewer beams to support your structure. With the right design, this can translate into a lot more light in your greenhouse.

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