My DIY Greenhouse Build
Backyard Greenhouse Design from Scratch
A few years ago, we built a greenhouse. My husband and I designed it, and we built it from the ground up for the One Room Challenge. It was a wonderful project, and the Greenhouse is absolutely my happy place. I love having a place to start seedlings, overwinter plants, and grow citrus! Here are a few photos from the Greenhouse. And to see more about how we built it and the innovations we included, check out the project page.
The Greenhouse sits at the back of our suburban lot — smaller than the average lot, actually. It was built from the ground up over the course of about 10 weeks. It is clad in beetle-kill pine, a locally-sourced wood product from trees killed by an invasive beetle species. Over the years the color has warmed to a deep yellow, and now that it is fully dry, we will probably stain it in the near future.
The exterior includes cold frames on the west and south exposures which also help to collect and retain heat in the greenhouse over the winter. Initially I had a small desk on the north end of the greenhouse, but after several years I removed it as I needed the space for storage — and more plants!
While it isn’t a very large space, the Greenhouse allows me room to overwinter some plants. I also start cuttings and seedlings inside as well which helps to get a jump start on our short growing season. Starting from seed and cuttings also saves a huge amount of money!
When the cold of winter starts to feel a bit too long and too dreary, I love to slip out to the Greenhouse. While it isn’t a hothouse, it is always warm and cozy. And it is a particularly happy place for me, surrounded by plants and green even in the dead of winter.