25 DIY Greenhouses That Are Cheap and Easy to Build
Your plant babies have never been happier than they will be in one of these greenhouses.
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Spring is right around the corner, which means the time to start planning your garden and starting your seeds is now. The first day of Spring is officially March 20, but every good gardener knows that essential garden prep begins long before that. The only problem? The weather doesn't exactly cooperate with the calendar.
Late season frosts and snow are a familiar foe to many gardeners around the country and can bring garden prep to a complete stand still, to say the least. At best, many gardeners have to deal with moving plants inside and pressing pause on preparations for the coming season. At worst, precious seedlings can be lost and you may find yourself having to start over completely.
Fortunately for those of us in cooler climates, there is a way to get a head start on your garden without having to worry about the weather: get a greenhouse. Greenhouses allow you to start seeds and by protecting your plants from frost, snow, and cold temperatures. While you might think of a typical greenhouse as a massive structure that only farmers use, there are plenty of smaller greenhouse options for hobby gardeners—including more than one DIY option. These greenhouses are cheap, simple to assemble, and come in a variety of different sizes depending on each gardener's needs and wants. Assess your garden to see what size you'd like and then pick one of these below!
DIY Rustic Window Greenhouse
Here's a greenhouse so beautiful, you just might be tempted to move in. The owner made it out of vintage windows, and the level of detail is remarkable.
Get the tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.
This mini greenhouse is made of cedar and gives you enough space to grow veggies and herbs. The front doors open as well as the two roof panels. And it's pretty cute, too!
Hooray! No tools are required for assembly of this greenhouse! With plenty of space for vegetables, herbs, and flowers, it's a reasonably priced option for most budgets.
Upcycled Window Greenhouse
This charming greenhouse is made from salvaged windows and lumber. It's so cute!
Get the tutorial at Garden Therapy.
This greenhouse includes an adjustable roof vent, rain gutters, and a lockable door handle. Plus, it's available in several different sizes.
Ready to splurge? If you're looking for a more substantial, permanent greenhouse or you're a more serious gardener, this kit has what you need to DIY it in a weekend.
This 4x4 mini greenhouse will give you plenty of room to start seedlings or house sensitive plants during an early cold snap.
This large walk-in greenhouse features zippered front and back doors in addition to exhaust vents, a coated steel frame, and an airtight, UV-protected cover.
DIY Greenhouse Plans
Sturdy framing and corrugated metal siding means this DIY greenhouse will last for years!
Get the tutorial at Ana White.
This greenhouse is a great solution for starting your gardening just a bit earlier in the season. It's not designed for heavy weather, such as snow or high winds, but it will help seeds get a faster start and shelter tender baby plants at a budget price.
This kit provides the brackets and the plans so you can DIY a sturdy greenhouse and finish it to your own specifications. You supply the lumber and the sweat equity!
DIY Window Greenhouse
You can easily put together this pretty piece in a weekend using salvaged items you probably already have at home.
Get the tutorial at The White Cottage Farm.
Recycled Greenhouse Tutorial
When this couple built their own greenhouse out of recycled materials, they set out to mimic the architectural details of their 1940s home. The real gem here, in our opinion, is the sliding red door. Too cute!
Get the tutorial at Montana Wildlife Gardener.
This wooden cold frame/greenhouse can store quite a few plants on its three shelves, plus it's more attractive than many others—but it's still budget-priced.
Winter-Proof Greenhouse
If you live in a snowy area, build a raised greenhouse (this one sits on a hand-built table) to shelter your plants all year long. Because this option is made out of old windows, it's easy to decorate with glass paints.
Get the tutorial at Empress of Dirt.
If you just have a few plants to shelter, this simple wire shelf unit will work perfectly.
Budget Hoop Garden House
Similar to the hoop greenhouse, this mini version is made using PVC pipe and plastic or floating row covers. This can be built over raised beds or planters. Place it in a sheltered area to protect from wind.
Get the tutorial at QT's Random Ramblings.
Repurposed CD Cases Greenhouse
Yes, there is a use for all those old CDs! This little greenhouse is made from 40 upcycled CD cases!
Get the tutorial at Mega Crafty.
If you only have one or two plants to shelter, this portable pop-up fills the bill.
If you need to keep just a few plants or seedlings safe from weather, this wooden cold frame won't take up a ton of space—and it's attractive, too.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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