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Shelley @ Sow and Dipity
Shelley @ Sow and Dipity Blogger Canada on May 25, 2012
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DIY Greenhouse for approx. $50

Growing Tomatoes in the Pacific Northwest can be a challenge, so I made this greenhouse to protect my plants from the rainy weather. Using a few simple materials from the hardware store this simple structure was done in about an hour. To get the full tutorial visit my blog @ http://www.sewanddipity.com/polytunnel-tutor...
  • Like Clip
    Simple base frame with wood boards and corners braces
  • Like Clip
    Tomatoes in grow bags
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    Small greenhouse approx. 4 1/2' H x 3' W x 8' L
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19 Comments
  • Walter Reeves Decatur, GA
    Terrific idea...a great project!
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • Miriam I New York, NY
    Love this project, Shelley. Welcome to Hometalk!
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 1
  • Jan M Toledo, OR
    Awesome idea. Where do you live in the PNW? I am in Toledo, Oregon and I have tried growing tomatoes so many times with no success. I am going to try this.
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO
    At 8500 feet in the rockies this is a problem too. years ago I set up a similar system using PVC conduit. My dual raised beds sit about 8 feet wide and I used short sections of rebar and slipped the pvc pipe over those to secure the "hoops" at the ground level.

    sadly I have not "had" a garden for a few years...as I have been too busy with our cabin project and a gazillion other things about the house.

    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • Jesse M Salem, OR
    I dunno, plastic isn't going to make it through a storm. I like the project, but recommend using a tougher covering.
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO
    Jesse.... If that is 4 or 6 mil plastic it will last at least a season. If Shelly "splurged" and got "greenhouse rated plastic that has the UV inhibitor in it she could get a few seasons out of it.

    My greenhouse deflected many nasty Rocky Mountain hail storm with just the 4 mil. It was the UV that killed mine at end of the growing season.

    on May 25, 2012 · Like 1
  • Carol M Gig Harbor, WA
    Good idea! also keeps them warm from the cold nights we've been having..good luck
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • George S Lava Hot Springs, ID
    I've got a larger one.....uses 3/4" pvc ... put the bend on the pipe with a propane weed burner and bent pipe slip into larger pipe cut into 6" pieces secured by holy metal to outside of 2X8 sides .. made out , 4' wide and 10 ' long... usually use mine to create micro climate for hot peppers since I live at 5000 feet in Idaho.... a bit more costly to build..... but well worth it
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 1
  • Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL
    Would it protect delicate plants in winter as a real greenhouse???????? What should the wood be treated with for long term use?
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • Bernice H Yakima, WA
    Shelly and Jan..Mid Washington..tomatoes grow very nicely. Not much rain, and very hot. You sound like Portland area? Where are you located Shelley? This is a good idea, and glad it works for you.
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • Bernice H Yakima, WA
    Did you notice George S is from Northwest also? whoppeee We are getting more from this side of the states!
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 1
  • Melissa W Evansville, IN
    I need something to protect mine from rabbits and squirrels!
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • Marg C Middletown, NY
    Mellisa...Use chicken wire on the floor and attach to the wood or bury it and then attach to the wood:)
    on May 25, 2012 · Like 0
  • Jan M Toledo, OR
    I am on the central Oregon coastal area. We get more then our share of rain which provides a short growing season for many things. I grow some awesome strawberries and beans and sugar snap peas. My Dahlias do great too. Tomatoes just end up tasting mushy and no flavor. I am going to build one of these along with a cold frame too.
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 0
  • KMS Woodworks Nederland, CO
    Nancy R...I have built some raised planting beds using odd ball lots of synthetic decking...being plastic it is rot and bug proof.
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 1
  • Shelley @ Sow and Dipity Canada
    Thanks for the comments folks!! @ Bernice H...I live in Langley, BC just outside of Vancouver ( Canadian Eh?) We have two seasons here....wet & hot. So, this structure is meant to be a protective ( temporary) barrier from the rains since Tomatoes get the blight here in spring. Our weather is so mild that I was harvesting carrots and turnips right out of the garden on Christmas day....no covering required. ...»

    Certainly a more stable house could be built for a more permanent year round use. A thicker 6ml plastic might be best and rebar's driven into the ground with the PVC pipes slipped over that to make it more storm resistant. To really make this structure solid, add more PVC pipes down the sides, drill holes through the connection points, and use a long bolt and screw to hold them together. If height is what your looking for, double up the PVC pipes and add a pipe connector to the middle.

    @ Nancy R...if your using treated lumber, then container garden the plants. I don't use a stitch of that in my garden anywhere, even in the non- vegi beds, as they leach toxins. KMS has the right idea in that the synthetic products would be 'less' toxic and more durable but check into it to be sure.

    @ Melissa W...I have hundreds of wild bunnies running around every spring! I did exactly what Marg C suggests to my vegi bed...as for the rest of the garden, I have a dog :)

    on May 26, 2012 · Like 2
  • Georgia R Star City, AR
    I like this set up!
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 0
  • Kelly S Bremerton, WA
    What a way to get them through the late spring rains. Mine are about gone already; too much rain and too cool in the evenings. Time to go get tow more bigger plants for the hanging planters and try some more. I just love fresh tomatoes. Red one to eat now and green ones to fry up. Dang now I'm hungry.
    on May 26, 2012 · Like 1
  • Nancy Rhodes C Bessemer, AL
    I like the rebar instruction to slide the pvc over. I will make one before winter if I can possibly find the time. Thanks Shelly S. You put a lot of time into these instructions for us.
    on May 27, 2012 · Like 0

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