A PVC Pipe Mini Greenhouse.
(Courtesy: Wikiphoto at Creative Commons)
In previous articles we have discussed how to heat a greenhouse and how to construct mini greenhouses including bottle and jar and picture frame.
In this article we will discuss how to construct a mini greenhouse out of PVC pipe.
You will need to purchase PVC pipe for this project. The greenhouse that will be constructed will be modular and its size is really up to you. So before going to the hardware store to buy the pipe, figure out the dimension of your greenhouse and how many pipes you will need.
Consider making the structure in 2-feet sections to offer more stability and strength. It is also suggested that you use ¾-inch to 1-1/2-inch thin pipe. Before walking out of the store with the pipes be certain that the joints are properly sized so that they will fit together. The size should appear on a label on the pipe. If not, test out the fit in the store.
Other items you will need include:
· T Joints
· Elbow Joints
· Four-Way Joints
· 45° Joints
· Sheet of Plastic
· Stakes and Ties or Conduit Anchor
· Duct or Packaging Tape
When you are ready to build the greenhouse and have gathered all the pipes, start construction with the walls. Form the base of the greenhouse and the walls together out of connected sections of pipe. To begin, connect vertical pipe sections at 2-feet intervals to horizontal pipe with T pipe joints. Attach a T joint to an elbow joint with a very small section of pipe to form the corners in the horizontal bottom section. When finished, you should have a horizontal rectangle or square base with posts coming up from the T joints at regular intervals. The corner posts should come from the last T joint on the long sides, with the elbow joints and short side of the base protruding out from the wall.
Next, connect pipes into a roof. This calls for you to connect the wall pipes to the roof pipes to form the roof. Make sure that the roof is not flat across because this will limit the amount of light that gets through into the greenhouse and also result in rain and snow build up on the top of the structure.
Create a line of PVC pipe identical to one long side of the base to form the central roof structure. Connect the pieces using four-way joints at the same intervals as the wall posts, except for the end that will be caped in T joints. Place short sections of pipe from the T joints and four-way joints and then cap them in 45° joints.
Next, put 45° joints at the top of each of the wall posts and then measure how much pipe you need to join the 45° joints of the wall to the 45° joints of the central roof structure. Cut pipe to the measurement and fit it between each of the 45° joints.
Put the greenhouse on the plant bed you wish to cover and anchor it with stakes and ties or a conduit anchor. Attach only one long side so that you can still lift up the structure to water and tend to the plants.
Cover the structure with sheet plastic or cloth. The sheet plastic should be thin and clear and should cover the entire structure. Wrap the structure and secure the cover with duct or packaging tape.
