Small greenhouse plans | HowToSpecialist - How to Build, Step by Step DIY Plans (2024)

This article is about small greenhouse plansfree. If you live in an area with cold weather or you want to build a construction to store your plants during the cold winter nights, this article will answer to all your questions. In addition, by using our wooden greenhouse plans free, you will be able to grow your own vegetables, starting with early spring and up to lateautumn. If you pay attention to the most important aspects, such as the location of the greenhouse and the materials used during the construction process, you will have your own backyard greenhouse in just a weekend.

You should set the location of the small greenhouse in such a manner that it gets maximum sunlight all day long. If you have a large garden, the best solution is to place it far away from buildings or trees, otherwise try to build it as to get the morning light from east. This aspect is essential for your project, therefore pay attention when choosing the location of your greenhouse. Your hard work will pay off on the long run, as plants need the sunlight to produce food, especially in the morning.

Choosing the right materials for the job might be a difficult task at first, as you need time to decide the best solution to your own needs. If you have a small budget and want to get the job done quickly, we recommend you to build a wooden greenhouse, using 4×4 and 2×4 posts. On the other hand, if you don’t have time to undertake a serious project or you prefer a light construction, you should consider using PVC pipes. Nevertheless, in this article we show you plans for a small wooden greenhouse, to help you grow your own organic vegetables and keep the plants in an appropriate climate during the winters. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

In order to build a small greenhouse, you need the following:

• 6′ long 4×4 wooden posts
• plastic strips to support the foil
• 6” long nails / screws
• 500 pieces of 2 1/2″ screws
• film
• vent opener
• thermostat outlet
• hinges + latch

Tools

• Safety gloves, glasses
• Circular saw
• Hammer, spirit level, carpentry pencil

Tips

• Place the greenhouse in an area where it gets the maximum sunlight
• Place the side posts every 2′ / 60 cm
• Install plastic strips every 1′, to support the foil

Time

• One weekend, two workers

Small greenhouse plans

First of all, you have two broad alternatives for the base of the small greenhouse. On one hand, you could dig holes and set the posts in concrete, or you might want to build a rectangular frame and anchor the posts to it.

Prepare the area thoroughly, ensuring the surface is perfectly level. In addition, you should consider building concrete footings for the greenhouse, if you plan a permanent construction.

After you have secured the base frame with screws, you have to install the wooden posts, every 2′. The 4×4 wooden posts should be about 6′ high, but you can adjust their dimension according to your needs and wants.

Work with great care and don’t forget to use a spirit level, every time you set a post. In this manner, the side posts of the greenhouse will be aligned and perfectly plumb.

In this image, you should notice the way you have to anchor the posts to the base frame. Locking the posts into place is easy, if you use corner brackets and screws. In addition, we recommend you to install at least one beam diagonally, between two consecutive posts, on each side of the greenhouse.

Continue the project by installing studs on the front and back faces of the greenhouse. As you see in the image, you have to install 8′ high posts in the center of the front and back faces of the greenhouse.

Afterwards, you have to install the head plate over the timber studs, as in the image. Use long screws to fasten the rail to the wood studs (6” nails or screws), otherwise the fame of the greenhouse won’t be rigid enough.

At the font and back of the greenhouse, secure the top rail with several corner brackets. Work with great care and with attention, otherwise the result might not rise to your expectations.

Even if this is a small projects, building a wooden greenhouse using our plans requires cutting the posts and joining them. Therefore, when fitting the bottom rail and the top plate, you should cut out segments from the wood studs and join them together with screws, as in the image.

We strongly recommend you to use this technique, if you want to enjoy your greenhouse for many years in a row.

Small greenhouse roof plans

Fit the 4×4 top ridge to the middle supports. Use corner connectors to lock the component into place.

After you install the ridge board, you have to cut the rafters and install them into place, by using nails or screws. As in the case of the side posts, you have to place the rafters equally spaced (24″ on center). In this manner, the roof will be rigid enough to support the foil and the heavy snow during the winters.

Work with great care and make sure the rafters are equally spaced at both ends. Although these aspects might seem unimportant, they make the difference between a successful project and a failure.

Continue the project by installing the rest of the rafters, in the same manner described above. Work with great attention, making sure you secure them with nails at both ends.

If you have used our small greenhouse plans and followed our step by step instruction, your frame should look similar to the one in the image. All parts and components of the greenhouse should be aligned and secured properly.

The entrance door is one of the main elements of a small greenhouse, therefore you should tackle this aspect with great care. Use 2×4 or 4×4 timber to build a rectangular structure, making sure it fits between the posts.

Install several hinges and a latch to make the door fully functional. Work with great care and use a spirit level when installing the door, otherwise it might not open properly.

Once you have installed the door into place, the small greenhouse is almost ready to use. Nevertheless, there are still several finishing touches left to do, before covering the greenhouse with the foil.

First, it is essential to install two 2×4 wooden boards on both sides of the peak, as in the image. If you skip this step, the polyethylenefoil will be damaged by the sharp edges of the rafters.

This is a sturdy greenhouse, so if you invest in weather resistant lumber, it will serve you for many years in a row.

The greenhouse seen from one side.

After you have built the frame of the greenhouse, you have to attach plastic strips or wire to the outside of the greenhouse, every 1′ / 30 cm, to support the polyethylene foil.

Use a tape measure to ensure the plastic strips are equally spaced and lock them into position with small nails. Afterwards, you should cover the whole structure with the foil and secure it with slats.

Check our latest greenhouse plans here. The new plans are more detailed and come with a cut list and step by step diagrams. This greenhouse is made entirely from 2×4 lumber, so that you can get the job done with common tools in just a weekend.

Thank you for reading our article about small greenhouse plansand we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets. LIKE us on Facebook to be the first that gets our latest projects and to help us create more free plans for you.