Off The Grid: 4 Must-Ask Questions Before You Build Your Own Greenhouse

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4 Must-Ask Questions Before You Build Your Own Greenhouse

The reason many people choose to build a greenhouse on their homestead or for off-the-grid living is simple: Winter in the cooler climates of the world makes it difficult to remain self-sufficient.
Hens stop laying as prolifically when it is cold, cows and goats produce milk taste that doesn’t taste quite as good, and there is no fresh produce from the garden.

However, you can fix the problem of not having fresh produce by building a greenhouse — even if you can’t get your hens and milk animals to improve through the cold months.
There are several things to consider before you build that urban greenhouse:

• What are the regulations within your township or city as well as county?
• How much space do you have to devote to a greenhouse?
• Is the ground level?
• What kind of greenhouse will you build?
• What will you keep in the greenhouse?

There are hundreds of websites that promote specific types of DIY greenhouse types, kits and methods of building that say that you can build one for less than $50. I even found one that said you could build a greenhouse for less than $5. I find that one a bit difficult to believe.
The idea behind building a greenhouse is so that you can use it for a long period of time. This means that your greenhouse is not going to be cheap and inexpensive, since you will want to use materials that will last.
I do not recommend using clear plastic bottles or PVC pipes to build your greenhouse, although both materials may last a few months if you’re just wanting to start your plants that will be set in your garden as seedlings.

Clear soda bottles (aka PET bottles) are the suggested material of many websites for building a greenhouse. However, these bottles are made with Bisphenol A (BPA) plastic, which is known to be dangerous. Unfortunately, all of the studies done have been performed on the fluids inside the bottle, so we aren’t entirely sure if the condensation that may form on the bottles used for greenhouses contains these harmful chemicals as well.

Another reason not to use plastic bottles is that the plastic expands and contracts as the temperature changes. In colder weather it could leave gaps, allowing delicate seedlings to die. In hot weather, the plastic softens, and any sudden change in temperature, like the spray when watering your plants, can cause the hot plastic to instantly contract and crack, which will reduce the integrity and usefulness of your structure.
PVC pipes have their own problems, although that doesn’t stop hundreds of websites from suggesting them as the base material for building a greenhouse. PVC pipes are used for a type of backyard greenhouse called a hoop house, because you can bend it so easily. This flexibility is its hugest flaw.

Because PVC is so flexible, the hoop house design doesn’t last long and won’t stand up to even moderate winds, as the piping is not designed to put up with direct sunlight or high heat. The cost required to reinforce a PVC hoop house could put the cost close to a proper stick-built greenhouse.
One of the better materials for a small urban homestead or backyard greenhouse is actually old single-pane windows that can be reclaimed from houses when windows are replaced or the building is torn down. Unless you are very fortunate to find someone willing to give you these windows, you should figure on spending a fair bit of money on procuring them. You’ll also need to purchase wood for the framing, cinder blocks or cement mix for stabilization and screws for assembly.
As you can see by all of the above, building a greenhouse is not an inexpensive project – not if you intend it to last more than a few months. An actual stick-built greenhouse will last years but it takes planning and a moderate budget. Here are a few more things to consider:
Will you build above or partially below ground? The pit greenhouse was developed several years ago to allow greenhouses to be used in cooler, mountainous regions.
Do you have an already existing outbuilding you can repurpose into a greenhouse?
Is there a clear space that has a southern exposure so that your greenhouse will receive the maximum amount of sunlight available in your region?
What is your budget for building your greenhouse – and do you have the skills?
Let’s discuss each of those decisions you will have to make when deciding to build your greenhouse…..More Here

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