12 DIY Greenhouse Plans for Gardeners on a Budget  (2024)

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Greenhouses, sometimes referred to as glasshouses, hothouses, or conservatories, create a sanctuary where temperature and lighting conditions are ideal for plants to grow, regardless of the outdoor temperature. If you’re an avid gardener, the idea of having a personal greenhouse in your backyard may sound appealing. However, the cost of hiring someone to design and build one for you may be prohibitive. These DIY greenhouse plans will enable you to build your own expertly designed plant sanctuary while staying in control of your budget.

RELATED: 7 Types of Plant Covers All Home Gardeners Should Know

1. Room to Grow

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This spacious 9-foot by 16-foot DIY greenhouse features a cedar wood frame with a polycarbonate cover. The downloadable plans for this greenhouse will help you construct a sturdy building designed to withstand varying weather conditions, from heavy snows to hail to high winds. The plans also include modifications to change the length from 16 feet to 12 feet if that is a better match for your available space.

Get the Sun Country Wood Crafts 9′ x 16′ Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $17.51.

2. Modular Greenhouse

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If you’ve been searching for “how to build a greenhouse cheap,” then downloading these plans for a modular greenhouse may be the optimal solution. The easy-to-follow plans allow you to quickly construct modules, which are assembled to create the finished greenhouse. The downloadable file will include all the necessary detailed instructions, photographs, and diagrams, as well as a materials list to complete this inexpensive conservatory for your plants.

Get the Stevenson Projects LLC Modular Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $7.95.

3. Lean-To Greenhouse

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The guide to construct this lean-to greenhouse was developed to help individuals DIY their own backyard hothouse. An estimated project cost, materials list, measurements, photographs, and step-by-step instructions are included in the guide to walk builders through the construction process. Once complete, this greenhouse is 10 feet long and 7 feet wide.

Get the Hillside Market Petunia Lean-to Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $22.84.

4. Miniature Greenhouse

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These compact greenhouse plans are ideal for smaller yardsor beginners who aren’t ready to tackle a huge building project just yet. The greenhouse is just 4 feet long and 2 feet wide and offers shelves to hold plants. Download the guide to view the materials list, step-by-step instructions, photographs, measurements, and an estimated cost for all the materials.

Get the Hillside Market Sweet Pea Mini Lean-to Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $19.04.

5. Movable Greenhouse

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Use these plans, available for instant download, to fashion your own lean-to glasshouse. Once built, this greenhouse is designed to be easy to disassemble and reassemble, making relocation possible when needed. The clear plans include 36 pages of photographs, diagrams, detailed instructions, and standard and metric measurements.

Get the Build Eazy Plans for a Lean-to Glasshouse at Etsy for $5.

RELATED: Genius! Make a Mini Greenhouse with Dollar-Store Photo Frames

6. Garden Shed

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Still thinking about how to build a greenhouse? Consider these architectural plans, which will walk you through each step of the process to create your own greenhouse garden shed. The plans are designed for individuals with residential building skills. They are drawn to scale and include a materials list and an estimated cost to complete the finished product.

Get the Wood n Pieces Greenhouse Garden Shed Plans at Etsy for $27.50.

7. Recycled Windows Greenhouse

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Reduce, reuse, recycle! This e-book includes design plans for building a greenhouse using vintage windows. Learn about materials needed for the project, the costs involved, and everything else you need to get started.

Get the Mama Potrafi Plans to Build a Greenhouse Out of Vintage Windows at Etsy for $23.06.

8. Pyramid Hothouse

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Build your own 15-foot by 15-foot pyramid greenhouse with this downloadable PDF. The four slanted glass walls will flood plants with sunlight for optimal growth, regardless of the outdoor temperature. With these comprehensive, 3D-rendered plans, you’ll receive detailed blueprints, templates and dimensions for each necessary cut, a materials list, and clear drawings.

Get the Sinel House Pyramid Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $9.23.

9. A-Frame Greenhouse

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If you’ve ever dreamed of living or gardening in your own slice of A-frame paradise, these plans are for you. This 40-page guide provides instructions for this simple 120-square-foot greenhouse, which according to Etsy seller Elevated Spaces, can be “completely built in only two weekends.” We like that it’s beginner friendly, and doesn’t require super specialized tools, and doesn’t require any roof panels to be cut. Sign us up!

Get the Elevated Spaces Shop Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $33.15.

10. Combination Greenhouse and Shed

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Conserve precious yard space with this two-in-one greenhouse and shed combo. Half of the structure features glass windows to provide plants with the necessary conditions to grow, while the other half is fully enclosed to keep your gardening and lawn tools secure and organized. This wooden greenhouse plan file includes over 40 pages of detailed directions, measurements, diagrams, and other useful information.

Get the Hillside Market Rose Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $22.84.

RELATED: Here’s How Building a Cold Frame Can Extend Your Gardening Season

11. Hobby Greenhouse

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Hobbyists can construct this inexpensive, yet fully-functional greenhouse using the downloadable plans. 2 x 4 framing lumber and polycarbonate or greenhouse plastic panels are used to craft the finished product. The plans are designed to be easy to follow, even for those with limited construction experience. They include detailed material and cut lists, step-by-step directions and drawings, and templates for cutting angles.

Get the RJTerry Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $19.99.

12. Framed Greenhouse

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Follow the clear, step-by-step plans featuring 3D images to build this DIY greenhouse. The 8-foot by 10-foot greenhouse offers a spacious area for growing plants and keeping them away from the elements. It features a unique design with framed walls and an angled roof to ensure maximum sun exposure.

Get the Sinel House 8′ x 8′ Framed Greenhouse Plans at Etsy for $8.20.

RELATED: 15 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on November 3, 2022.

12 DIY Greenhouse Plans for Gardeners on a Budget  (2024)

FAQs

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

The most inexpensive way to build a greenhouse is to purchase a standard greenhouse-building kit from a hardware store. Where is the best place to put a greenhouse?

Is it cheaper to build a greenhouse or buy a kit? ›

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 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.

What is the easiest thing to grow in a greenhouse? ›

You can easily grow most vegetables and herbs using a greenhouse, but some of the more commonly grown vegetables are:
  • Potatoes.
  • Peppers.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Chillies.
  • Sweetcorn.
  • Peas.
  • Brussels sprouts.
  • Lettuce.

What can I use instead of a greenhouse? ›

Cold Frames

These structures consist of a transparent top and solid sides, allowing sunlight to penetrate while protecting plants from harsh weather conditions. Cold frames are typically placed directly on the ground or raised beds, and they can be made from various materials such as wood, PVC, or recycled windows.

What temperature should a DIY greenhouse be? ›

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.

Can you make a cheap greenhouse? ›

You can easily adapt an indoor/outdoor shelving unit you already own by simply insulating it with a plastic cover to turn it into a greenhouse. A metal backyard storage or shelving unit is likely to be the best option as it will be able to withstand most weather conditions and will be sturdier on windy days.

What is the most expensive part of a greenhouse? ›

The covering material of the greenhouse, also known as glazing, is usually the most expensive component of the structure. It is also one of the most important because the glazing is what allows the entry of light and heat into the greenhouse.

Are cheap greenhouses worth it? ›

The only real difference between the cheaper greenhouses and the more expensive ones is the material they're made out of, and the beauty of them. They all still capture sunlight and create a warmer, moister environment for the plants inside. The bonus of a larger, pricier greenhouse is better materials.

Can greenhouse plastic touch PVC? ›

One of numerous large holes where the conduit touches the greenhouse film. Yes, it turns out, that PVC electrical conduit can out-gas chlorine which destroys the UV light stabilizers in the polyethylene greenhouse film and causes the film to degrade.

How much venting does a greenhouse need? ›

Roof and side vents on conventional greenhouses need to be large enough to get good air movement. The American Society of Agricultural Engineers recommends that the combined sidewall vent area should equal the combined ridge vent area and each should be 15 to 20% of the floor area.

How thick should greenhouse plastic sheeting be? ›

Three or 4 mil film is common for one year use on narrow tunnels and overwintering houses. Greenhouse grade material, only available in 6 mil thickness, is best for multi-year applications.

What is the easiest foundation for a greenhouse? ›

Soil or Earth Base

If your soil is firm and well compacted, the cheapest and simplest option is to concrete in the four metal posts at the corners of the frame (verifying that everything is levelled before the concrete sets). You might need to secure the structure in place while the concrete dries up.

What is the easiest base for a greenhouse? ›

Integral Base

This is by far the easiest option, as it does not require any further building or construction, as it forms part of the frame itself. The greenhouse can be set straight down onto a level, solid surface and secured into place.

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