Green House Plastic

Plastic greenhouses are ideal for hobbyists. There are ready to assemble kits available in garden centers, but they are easy to make too. You can use wood or PVC pipes for the frames and use plastic for the covering. The following instructions will show you how it is done.

How to Make Hoop Greenhouses

Required Tools and Materials

Plastic pipes
A sheet of plywood
A sheet of heavy plastic (twin wall polyethylene or polycarbonate)
3 x 3 wood boards
Tape measure
Hand drill
Stakes
Reinforcing bar

Step 1

Make the surface as even as possible. Don’t place the unit close to trees. It also helps if you place the unit near water. Mark the location by placing stakes on every corner. You may also want to put some stakes every few feet near the corner if the unit is big.

Step 2

Put the wood boards down. Make holes in the wood boards. Hammer 2 ft of your bar through to the surface. The hoops will be placed on the remaining bar that is exposed.

Step 3

Cover the hoops with the plastic. Stretch it out. Nail it to the boards.

Advantages of Using Plastic Greenhouses

Aside from being cheap and easy to build, these units are suitable for readying seeds for spring planting. These units are also ideal for sheltering sensitive plants from cold weather. Another nice thing about plastic is it soaks and retains the heat. This makes heating very simple to do.

Tips for Heating Plastic Units

The first and most important tip is to make sure the unit is placed where it can get maximum sunlight and heat. The ideal location is south of your home. Don’t place it where buildings or foliage can block the heat.

You should also ventilate the unit from the top. This will lead to good airflow. Aside from sunlight, plants require fine air circulation to grow. Soil also requires proper air flow to stop bacteria and mold from appearing. Just make sure the ventilation is sufficient to let air in but doesn’t let too much heat escape.

Using Heat Mats

You should install heat mats under the most sensitive plants. These look like electric heating pads and are water resistant. These can boost the soil temperature by up to 20%.

More importantly, they are cheap and easy to find. These mats will produce consistent heat. This is necessary for sensitive plants, which can be affected by fluctuating weather conditions.

Tips for Buyers

Many high quality plastic units are available for only a few hundred dollars. You can even get them for much cheaper at auction sites. While some of the units sold here are secondhand, many are still in good condition. You can also find good used units in garden centers.

Plastic greenhouses may not be as attractive as glass or the other materials, but they can still provide a suitable environment for plants to grow. As long as the unit gets plenty of sunlight, your plants will be all right.