How to build a cheap greenhouse that yields year around

How to build a cheap greenhouse that yields year around produce for a family of four

We're now hearing about the 'recession garden' from government officials, as a remedy to families feeling the pinch at the grocery store as we peruse the expensive produce, most often transported hundreds of miles, picked when unripened and lacking both flavor and nutrients.

We all know we should be eating plenty of produce to ensure adequate nutrition, but who can afford it these days? Here, we've got an even better idea: build a cheap greenhouse that will pay for itself, affording you and your family organic produce of the freshest and highest nutritive value.

You may have checked into the ready made greenhouse kits. These kits come with all of the materials necessary to build the greenhouse structure, but these greenhouse kits are pricey. By the time you pay for the greenhouse kit and shipping, it's almost cheaper to buy the produce, if your intent is to grow food.

A better option is to build a cheap greenhouse yourself, using local materials and the same amount of labor required with the expensive greenhouse kit. DIY sites can provide you with material lists as well as step-by-step instructions on building a cheap greenhouse at a fraction of the price. CAD software is another tool you can use to plan and build a cheap greenhouse, getting all of the details in sync before you ever lift a hammer or pay a cent for materials. You can also find books which will give you all the info you need to make your home greenhouse a reality.

OK, let's see how you can build a cheap greenhouse, with just basic carpentry skills and a little planning.

Lay out the greenhouse with the beds facing north to south for maximum sun exposure.

A 12 foot wide by 12 foot long greenhouse will accommodate 3 planting beds, 2 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 12 feet long, with 2 foot wide aisles between each bed, giving you easy access for weeding and harvesting. If you plan for shelving and hanging baskets above your beds, you can make the most of your greenhouse growing space, growing smaller plants, such as herbs, radishes, mesclun, lettuce and baby carrots.

You'll need a cement foundation. Excavate the location to a depth of four inches. Install pier posts with 2x6 redwood posts on 16 inch centers, much as you would for a deck support. When the foundation is cured, nail 2x6 redwood boards along the bottom 3 feet of the posts, to be flush with the top of your planting beds inside the greenhouse.

When you build a cheap greenhouse, this doesn't mean you must sacrifice quality of the structure. The key is to use durable, but not expensive materials. Next, sandwich ready made 4x8 lattices, with heavy duty plastic sheeting, covering both sides of the lattices, between 2x4's up to the roof level.

The roof can be constructed with simple trusses made of 2x6 redwood and sheeted with corrugated plastic, such as is used for a sun deck.

All that's left is to build planting beds, of 2x4 posts and 2x12 boards for siding, using three L-braces at each corner.

You'll want to install fans at each end and a heating device for cold winter growing conditions. Lay down gravel between the beds if you wish.

So there you have the basic 'recipe' to build a cheap greenhouse that produces a harvest of plenty. Greenhouse growing goes one better than that trendy 'recession garden'. You'll be producing top quality food all year long!