Every gardener dreams of a greenhouse at their summer cottage. Juicy fresh vegetables in a greenhouse will ripen much faster and without additional fertilizers and agrochemicals. But when thinking about a greenhouse, amateur gardeners get lost and don’t know where to start. And most importantly, where to get funds for construction. If you build a capital structure with a foundation and an irrigation system, then you will be nowhere without starting capital, but if you approach this issue more simply, you can get a greenhouse for pennies.
Choosing a location and size
To locate the greenhouse, you need to choose a well-lit area in the middle of the plot of land. There should be no lush trees or tall outbuildings around the structure, as they can cast a shadow on the greenhouse, thereby slowing down the growth of plants under the film. The area under the greenhouse must be fenced with beams and the ground leveled. The area of the entire greenhouse will depend on the length of the beams.
Preparation of materials
The simplest and cheapest material to use for a greenhouse frame is polypropylene pipes. They bend well and take the desired shape. In order to avoid making joints and connections, it is better to choose a semicircular greenhouse shape.
PVC pipes must be cut into lengths; their length will depend on the height and width of the future greenhouse.
The reinforcement should also be cut into 60 cm lengths; the sections dug into the ground will serve as supports for the pipes.
Assembly of the structure
Along the perimeter of the greenhouse you need to insert pieces of reinforcement at a distance of 50–60 cm from each other. Pipes bent in an arc need to be inserted into pieces of reinforcement protruding from the ground.
Construction of end walls and ceiling
For a more stable structure, you need to attach a guide (ceiling) at the top points of the arcs. The guide can be a rod or plastic pipe. An old window frame, a chipboard door or a metal profile will be suitable as walls. If the greenhouse is planned to be low, then in place of the end walls you can simply secure the free ends of the film with pegs or bricks.
Greenhouse covering
To cover a greenhouse, film or spunbond is usually used. The canvas is evenly stretched along arcs, and at the bottom it is attached to the “foundation” logs with glazing beads. If the greenhouse is small, and it is planned to be opened periodically, then it can be secured with a removable load (a log or bricks).
In addition, you need to take into account that you need to build a greenhouse in warm, windless weather, then the film will not sag. Any greenhouse must be ventilated to avoid overheating of the plants.
How to make an entrance to a greenhouse? opening-closing? I don’t understand, are there zippers sewn in there?