How to Build a Small Greenhouse for Vegetables – 8 Easy Steps

Growing vegetables can be a great way to kill time in a productive manner. But if you are thinking of doing it in your backyard then you might face some issues, especially with the continuous climate change that is happening around us.

But what if I tell you that there is a solution to your problem and not even the bad weather condition can affect your vegetable in this way. It’s called the greenhouse method. A greenhouse will help you to grow any vegetables for a longer season; this means you can even grow a non-seasoned vegetable at any time.

Not only the greenhouse will help your vegetables from the bad weather conditions but also protect them from the pests that roam around in your backyard. If you are already feeling excited about the small features and benefits of a greenhouse, then let’s go and see how you can build a small greenhouse for vegetables for yourself.

Building A Small Greenhouse

Here is a step-by-step process so you can clearly understand the procedure,

Step 1: Select a Place

Firstly, you need to find a suitable place to build your small greenhouse. It might be on the back of your yard or the front of your yard, your choice. But make sure you have enough space around your greenhouse. 

Decide how many plants you want to grow in your small greenhouse and after that you will know how much space you will need in your backyard.

As you look for the right spot, make sure not to choose a place that is surrounded by obstacles. Ensure that it has an open place from where the air can smoothly flow. 

Also, don’t choose a spot that is beside the fence for your building walls. Make sure to keep a little distance from any of the structures or else the bugs and pests will fly right in. 

As the seasons keep changing your greenhouse will need access to good sunlight water and electricity. So keep that in mind because if you fix a place too far away, you won’t be able to deliver these components to your greenhouse. 

The first step is always the hardest because if you can’t find a suitable place, as you start building it, you will face many problems and later you won’t be able to continue the greenhouse. So be aware of where you are planning to place your small greenhouse. 

Once you have selected a suitable place, you can now start planning how you want to build it. 

Step 2: Select a Body Frame

Palram Green Resin Frame Greenhouse

Image Courtesy: whatshed.co.uk

In the market, you will find a ton of body frames for your greenhouse. You will see different frames, different styles, and at one point, you will be confused about which one to buy. If you don’t want to spend too much cash, you can also buy a budget-friendly frame. 

Since you will build a small greenhouse, I would suggest you to select an Eastpoint Northpoint frame.

Step 3: Select a Cloth

Depending on your frame, you will need to select a cloth that you will place on your greenhouse. By using this cloth, you will be limiting the amount of sunlight that will enter your greenhouse. 

Since you will be using the cloth to cover your greenhouse and also place it inside, you’ll have to think twice before choosing the right cloth. 

In the market, you will find both lightweight polythene and also heavy cloth to use. Each type has its own benefits and features. However, light clothes will be easy to set up, and they are also durable.

But as you choose a suitable cloth, make sure your cloth has at least 50% shade so that it can provide a fair amount of sunlight to your vegetable, or else you will be having a hard time growing vegetables inside that greenhouse.

Step 4: Set up the Entrance 

Once you have set up your small greenhouse by covering it up with clothes, now you need to focus on setting up the entrance. To enter your greenhouse, you need to add a door. You can choose a plastic door, a steel door, or a wooden door. You can choose any door you like, but I would highly suggest you to attach a wooden door but make sure that the door will be sustainable throughout the heavy storms and winds. 

But if you are short on budget, you can use the sliding doors that are made out of glass and plastic. In fact, most of the people who own a greenhouse use plastic doors. So you can also go with the sliding doors if you want. It will be easy for you to go in and out. 

If you think that even a slide door is too much for you, then you can select a simple door instead. You’ll find plenty of options in the market, so don’t worry. One more thing, your greenhouse will generate a lot of heat, so make sure you choose a door that will keep the heat locked in. 

Step 5: Install a ventilation system.

Previously I have mentioned that your greenhouse will require a lot of heat. But overheating is also a serious issue and to prevent your greenhouse from getting overheated you need a good ventilation system. 

Since you will be setting up a small greenhouse, you won’t be needing more than one fan, but you can always use two for assurance. Install the fan in the middle or in a corner so it can blow out all the heat from your greenhouse

If you’re planning to grow a lot of vegetables within that smaller area, then you might need an enormous fan. More vegetables mean more heat and more heat means a bigger fan. A bigger fan will help you to kick out all the heat from your greenhouse.

Step 6: A proper Heating System

Yes, I know that just a second ago I talked about installing a ventilation system to get rid of the heat, but if you want to grow non-seasoned vegetables, you would need a heating system. Let’s say you want to grow summer vegetables in winter, in that case, you will need the heating system, and trust me it will be worth it.

In terms of heating systems, you can add oil heaters, natural gas heaters, and even propane. Convection tubing and hot water heaters are also included in the category. Depending on the place you live, your greenhouse’s size picks a small heater that suits you.

In the market, you will find a lot of budget heaters for your greenhouse. You will see different heaters for growing different vegetables but keep in mind that you need a heater that will be durable for you to grow vegetables throughout the year.

Step 7: Install a greenhouse control system.

Greenhouse Climate & Control System

Image Source: postscapes.com

After adding a cooling and heating system, you need to maintain the condition of a greenhouse by installing a greenhouse control system. No need to buy big machinery cause you will be having a small greenhouse. You can simply control your greenhouse remotely through the greenhouse control system. 

Go to the market and search for remote greenhouse control systems and get the one that suits you best. Each system will have its own functionality and will help you to take off the load. 

It will maintain the temperature within your greenhouse and will notify you from time to time if your greenhouse is getting overheated or not, so you can turn on the cooling system. Some of the controlling systems also come with benching structure modes that will allow you to keep space within your vegetables. 

Greenhouse control systems are a must so stop thinking and go get one for yourself. 

Step 8: Maintain your Greenhouse

Once everything is set now, it’s time to grow vegetables in your greenhouse. As you start growing the vegetables will have to take care of your greenhouse from time to time. Without proper maintenance, your greenhouse will start to fall apart.

Now the question is, how do you take care of your greenhouse? It’s simple, follow your instinct and observe your surroundings.

Ensure proper drainage for vegetables and keep the ventilation fan clean and keep it in a working situation. Also, check your heating system every week and make sure it’s working correctly. Focus on your vegetables once a month to see if any bugs or pests have attacked your vegetables or not.

Most importantly focus on your greenhouse, its borders, and its internal environment. Try to keep it as clean as possible and since there will be a lot of weather changes! You will need to maintain it properly. 

Here’s the turnover. Setting up a greenhouse is not the issue. Maintaining it month after month is the real deal. 

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