Greenhouse plans: 12 Free DIY Greenhouse Plans

12 Free DIY Greenhouse Plans

Greenhouse Ideas for Every Size and Budget

Stacy Fisher

Stacy is an expert writer for The Spruce covering home DIY projects and crafts. She has over 18 years of journalistic experience, appearing as a DIY expert on the Dr. Oz Show and several radio shows. She has published hundreds of articles and co-authored a book.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Editorial Process

Updated on 07/13/23

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

There are plenty of ways to make a cheap, simple DIY greenhouse, whether you construct it from a kit or build it from scratch using one of these free plans. The result will be a homemade backyard greenhouse that allows you to grow your favorite flowers, vegetables, and herbs all year long. Greenhouses provide seedlings and plants with warmth in the winter and cool in the summer, letting you participate in your favorite hobby every day of the year.

The free greenhouse plans listed include diagrams, illustrations, photos, written building instructions, frame materials, tools, and everything else you need to build your dream greenhouse in all different sizes and styles. DIYers can also find free plans online to build a shed, potting bench, or pergola to go with your greenhouse. Depending on what size you want—small to medium or large—building a DIY greenhouse may almost always be cheaper to complete on a budget than buying a premade version, especially if you’re able to score recycled materials. Here are 12 free greenhouse plans to get you started.

01
of 12

Ana-White

This free greenhouse plan is for a barn-style greenhouse that will help you grow your plants while looking stylish with its sturdy corrugated metal and greenhouse plastic sides. The free greenhouse plan includes photos, diagrams, a materials and tools list, written instructions, and videos.

Barn Greenhouse from Ana White
02
of 12

Northern Homestead

Northern Homestead has shared its free plan for building its GeoDome greenhouse. Use this plan and you’ll get a greenhouse that’s lightweight yet secure, absorbs lots of light, has a lot of ground growing space, and one that makes quite the statement. There’s a materials list, tools list, written directions, diagrams, and photos to help you build it.

It also has other posts on its greenhouse about how to arrange plants within it, how to cover it, how to add a hot water tank, and more.

GeoDome Greenhouse from Northern Homestead
03
of 12

Mother Earth News

If you’re feeling ambitious, then this free greenhouse plan from Mother Earth News might be just for you. You’ll get a completed greenhouse that’s solar-heated and even has a sleeping loft, which almost makes this a tiny house. Scroll through the pages of this free greenhouse plan to find a materials list, images, and directions for building this great-looking greenhouse, all for under around $4,000 even with purchased materials and some hired helping hands.

Greenhouse With Sleeping Loft from Mother Earth News
04
of 12

BuildEazy

This free greenhouse plan by BuildEazy is conveniently built out of mostly 2-by-4-inch wood studs. Click through this free greenhouse plan to find shopping lists, directions, and diagrams. There are also photos of the greenhouses built by other readers who have used this simple greenhouse plan.

Polythene Greenhouse from BuildEazy
05
of 12

HowToSpecialist

HowToSpecialist has a free wood greenhouse plan that will only take you a few weekends to build. Included in the free greenhouse plans are a materials list, diagrams, tools list, and tips.

14-Foot Greenhouse from HowToSpecialist
06
of 12

Instructables

Instructables has a free greenhouse plan that uses a unique building material—old windows. It’s one of the cheapest ways to build your own greenhouse if you can scavenge up a few windows that are about to be tossed. Use all different shapes and sizes to make a bold statement that really creates some interest. It creates a great-looking structure that’s environmental and budget-friendly. There are lots of color photos and written instructions to help you build one for your yard.

Recycled Window Greenhouse from Instructables
07
of 12

HowToSpecialist

This free greenhouse plan by HowToSpecialist will give you everything you need to build a 16-foot-long greenhouse that’s perfect for your backyard. You’ll be able to grow your own vegetables, all year around with this DIY greenhouse. This free greenhouse plan includes lots of diagrams and illustrations along with written instructions.

16-Foot Greenhouse from HowToSpecialist
08
of 12

HowToSpecialist

Here’s another free greenhouse plan from HowToSpecialist. This plan for a small DIY greenhouse is perfect for a small backyard. If you’d like to have a bigger greenhouse, you can adjust these plans for your space. It’s a pitched roof with a door, giving everything you need for a successful greenhouse. You can use the written instructions, materials, and tools list, as well as tips and diagrams to build this greenhouse.

10-Foot Greenhouse from HowToSpecialist
09
of 12

Crafts a la Mode

Make a DIY greenhouse cheap with free materials you thrift. This free greenhouse plan from Crafts a la Mode takes some old windows and makes them into a greenhouse just big enough for a few plants. It’s a gorgeous greenhouse that doubles as yard decor. The best part is that you can easily add more windows to make this larger if you’d like. It’s certainly a unique look that’s going to look great in just about any yard. There are lots of photos taken along the way to show you how to build it. This is an easy project that even the beginner can handle.

Little Window Greenhouse from Crafts a la Mode
10
of 12

PVC Plans

Here’s a free plan by PVC Plans for an arched greenhouse that uses PVC pipes. Download the free greenhouse PDF plan and you’ll get a material list, diagrams, and written directions. This is a great starter greenhouse if you’re just starting to experiment with growing in a greenhouse. PVC pipes are also pretty affordable and using them is a budget-friendly way to build a greenhouse. This greenhouse is arched and includes two doors, one in the front and one in the back.

Arched PVC Greenhouse from PVC Plans
11
of 12

Johner Images / Getty Images

FloridaGardener.com has a bigger greenhouse plan that you can print and use for free. A combination of wood and PVC pipes are used to build this large, hooped greenhouse that’s 32 feet by 10 feet by 10 feet. There’s plenty of room for all your plants and vegetables and you won’t have to worry about outgrowing this greenhouse anytime soon.

32-Foot Greenhouse from Florida Gardner
12
of 12

BuildEazy

BuildEazy has another free DIY greenhouse plan, this one builds a large 8-by-10-foot greenhouse that you’ll be able to fit all kinds of plants into. There are 13 pages in this free plan that includes drawings, photos, diagrams, and instructions on how to build it.

8-by-10-Foot Greenhouse from BuildEazy

How to Choose Which Kind to Get

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She’s also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie’s garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.

Learn more about The Spruce’s
Editorial Process

Updated on 10/06/21

Arne Pastoor / Photographer’s Choice RF / Getty Images

When it comes to choosing to side for your greenhouse you have basically 3 choices: glass or plastic (fiberglass, polycarbonate, polyethylene film). Which is the best choice depends on how much insulation your greenhouse needs and how much you can afford to pay. Here are some pros and cons to weigh when selecting siding for your greenhouse.

Glass

Glass is beautiful but inefficient for heating (.95 R) and easily breakable. It needs to be double or triple strength to be practical.

Some more negatives for glass:

Doesn’t diffuse light and can burn plants.
It’s heavy and requires a sturdier frame, foundation and smaller, more numerous panes.
Can be drafty, because of the number of panes and joints.
Framing needs to be perfectly square and rigid. May require a pro to install.

Plastic

Plastic greenhouse siding includes fiberglass, polycarbonate, polyethylene film and whatever improvement they come up with next. They are all lighter and more flexible than glass, so they can come in larger panes or sheets, reducing drafts and making construction easier.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass isn’t transparent, but almost as much light makes it through fiberglass as glass greenhouses. The light is diffused and the fiberglass used for greenhouses is given a gel coat for UV protection. It retains heat better than glass and provides good insulation. (.83 R) Fiberglass is a good starter greenhouse and would be sufficient for a gardener who just wants a space to start seeds in the early spring.

Negatives include:

UV gel protection burns off after about 6 years and it turns yellow
Difficult to get the wobbly ends to join cleanly
Corrugation hard to clean and dirty windows mean less light coming in

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is also a corrugated plastic, but it is almost as transparent as glass and it is the strongest siding being used on greenhouses. It also wears longer, up to 2-3 times longer than fiberglass.

You’ll find polycarbonate in single, double (1.4 – 1.9 R), and triple (2. 5 R) wall thickness.

Single wall polycarbonate is the least expensive and makes the sleekest appearance. However, it offers less heat retention, light diffusion, and strength than it’s bulked up brothers.

Double and triple wall polycarbonate provide even better insulation because of the air pockets between walls. They are also more expensive, but you’ll save on heating costs. Another advantage of polycarbonate is its +15 year lifespan in most areas. If you’ll be overwintering tender plants or trying to grow vegetables all winter and running your greenhouse from fall through spring, polycarbonate is your best bet.

Polyethylene Film

Polyethylene film is a quick and inexpensive option for gardeners who use their greenhouse mainly for seed starting. It comes in sheets that can be used in single or double layers, for better insulation. (.85 – 1.4 R) It works well, but it doesn’t last long, maybe 2-4 years, depending on the product and the weather. Commercial growers like it because it’s cheap, offers flexibility and they have a crew to replace it every few years. Polyethylene film works best if you have a double layer with an air space between.

Ready-made business plans for greenhouses for growing vegetables, strawberries and herbs

Headings: growing strawberries, Ready-made business plans, for obtaining grants for small businesses and subsidies in the CZN, greenhouses

This business plan is designed to invest in the creation of a greenhouse for growing strawberries. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant; Scope of work: 24 pages; Business planning horizon: 1 year. The purpose of this project is the organization of greenhouse production and the sale of strawberries. The main task of the greenhouse industry is to provide year-round optimal climatic conditions for growing strawberries. At the initial stage, it is planned to build a greenhouse with a size of 60 * 40 m. In comparison with other agricultural crops, the production of strawberries has its own characteristics. It is determined by natural and economic conditions, depends on the area of cultivation. The economic efficiency of strawberry production shows …

Headings: growing onions, Ready-made business plans, for obtaining a grant under the programs “Beginner Farmer”, “Agrostartup” and “Family Farm”, greenhouses

This business plan is designed for investing in the cultivation of green onions on a feather. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant for novice farmers; Scope of work: 61 pages; Business planning horizon: 5 years. The purpose of this project is to justify the production of green onions in greenhouses with its subsequent implementation. The project is planned to be financed at the expense of the grant issued for the creation and development of the peasant farm, and the project initiator’s own funds. These funds will make it possible to carry out the following investment costs: construction of a greenhouse with an area of 0.8 hectares; acquisition and installation of a refrigeration chamber with a volume of 15 cubic meters; purchase …

Headings: growing greenery, Ready-made business plans, for receiving a grant under the programs “Beginner Farmer”, “Agrostartup” and “Family Farm”, greenhouses

This business plan is designed to invest in organizing a greenhouse farm for growing tomatoes, cucumbers and greens. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant under the program “Support for Beginning Farmers; Scope of work: 37 pages; Business planning horizon: 3 years. During the project implementation period, a gradual increase in greenhouse areas and the volume of harvesting tomatoes, cucumbers and greens is expected. it is expected that in the third year of the project implementation, 58 tons of tomatoes, 29tons of cucumbers and 10 tons of greens. The greenhouse farm owns a land plot of 1 ha, for …

Headings: growing greens, Ready-made business plans, for obtaining a grant under the programs “Beginner Farmer”, “Agrostartup” and “Family Farm”, greenhouses

This business plan is designed to invest in the construction of a greenhouse complex with a total area of 600 sq.m. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant under the program “Support for Beginning Farmers”; Scope of work: 16 pages; Business planning horizon: 3 years. Within the framework of the project, it is planned to build 4 greenhouses with an area of 150 sq.m. each. The greenhouses will be supplied with electricity and water. It is planned to build a fence along the perimeter of the land plot. It is planned to grow greens and cucumbers in the constructed greenhouse complex. To increase the yield, it is planned to purchase organic fertilizers from local agricultural enterprises and apply them …

Headings: growing greens, growing onions, Ready-made business plans, for receiving a grant under the programs “Beginner Farmer”, “Agrostartup” and “Family Farm”, greenhouses

This business plan is designed for investing in the construction of a greenhouse for growing cucumbers, tomatoes, greens and onions. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant under the program “Support for Beginning Farmers”; Scope of work: 18 pages; Business planning horizon: 5 years. The business plan is to build a greenhouse with an area of 1500 sq. m. Polycarbonate is supposed to be used as a wall covering. The gas and electricity supply system will be connected to the greenhouse. Drip irrigation will be used for irrigation. It is planned that the following investments will be made during the investment phase of the project: construction of a greenhouse; purchase of equipment; well drilling; construction …

Headings: Ready-made business plans, for obtaining a bank loan, greenhouses

This business plan is designed to invest in the construction of a greenhouse plant with an area of 12 hectares. The purpose of developing a business plan: to attract a loan; Scope of work: 253 pages; Business planning horizon: 7 years. The business plan provides for the construction of a modern automated greenhouse complex with an area of 12 hectares using energy-saving technologies that meets the highest environmental requirements for similar facilities. At the greenhouse complex, in the production of protected soil products, modern growing technologies will be used to accelerate the payback of the project due to the high yield of greenhouse crops. The greenhouse complex consists of the following departments and blocks: seedling department …

Headings: Ready-made business plans for obtaining a grant under the programs “Beginner Farmer”, “Agrostartup” and “Family Farm”, greenhouses

This business plan is designed for investing in the cultivation of cucumbers and tomatoes in greenhouses. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant under the program “Support for Beginning Farmers”; Scope of work: 70 pages; Business planning horizon: 3 years. As part of the business plan for growing cucumbers and tomatoes in greenhouses, it is planned to purchase building materials, install a greenhouse and purchase the following equipment and machinery: Tractor MTZ 82; Water pump; Motoblock; Sprayer; Trailer for staff; Saw “Calm”; Motobur, etc. To implement the project, it is planned to form a staff of 10 employees, which will include …

Headings: Ready-made business plans for obtaining a grant under the programs “Beginner Farmer”, “Agrostartup” and “Family Farm”, greenhouses

This business plan is designed for investing in the cultivation of cucumbers and tomatoes in a greenhouse. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant under the program “Support for Beginning Farmers”; Scope of work: 45 pages; Business planning horizon: 5 years. For the normal functioning of the company, it will be necessary to build a greenhouse and a vegetable store, as well as provide workers with the necessary equipment and supplies for work. According to the business plan, the construction of the greenhouse is planned to be carried out in an economic way. An estimate for the implementation of construction work has been drawn up for the construction site. The main greenhouse crop cultivated on the farm will be tomatoes. It is planned to grow the following varieties …

Headings: Ready-made business plans for obtaining a grant under the programs “Beginner Farmer”, “Agrostartup” and “Family Farm”, greenhouses

This business plan is designed to invest in the construction of a greenhouse for growing cucumbers and tomatoes. The purpose of developing a business plan: to receive a grant under the program “Support for Beginning Farmers”; Scope of work: 41 pages; Business planning horizon: 5 years. According to the business plan, during the start of the project, it is supposed to attract funding, purchase and install a greenhouse. It is assumed that after reaching the design capacity, about 4 tons of tomatoes and 8 tons of cucumbers will be produced annually. The work of the greenhouse will be divided into 2 periods: from September to May – the cultivation and sale of products; from June …

Page 1 of 212»

Greenhouse business plan

Home \ Agribusiness business plans \ Greenhouse business plan

Vegetables are a valuable food product. The irreplaceability of vegetables in nutrition is determined by the fact that they are the main suppliers of carbohydrates, vitamins, mineral salts, phytoncides, essential oils and dietary fiber necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

Vegetables are not only indispensable foods that support human vitality, but also an effective remedy recognized by folk and scientific medicine. The nutritional value and medicinal properties of vegetables are due to the presence in them of chemicals of various composition and structure, which have a wide pharmacological spectrum of action on the body and give dishes an original taste and aroma.

Vegetable food has a predominantly alkaline reaction, and its presence in the diet establishes an optimal acid-base balance in the human body.

Every day a person needs about 400 g of vegetables. The scientifically based annual rate of vegetable consumption for a person, depending on the region of residence, ranges from 126 to 164 kg, including various types of cabbage – 35-55 kg, cucumbers – 10-13 kg, tomatoes – 25-32 kg, onions – 7-10 kg., carrots – 6-10 kg., table beets – 5-10 kg., eggplants – 2-5 kg., sweet peppers 3-6 kg., green peas and vegetable beans – 3-8 kg., gourds – 20-30 kg., other vegetables – 3-7 kg.

The ratio and composition of vegetables in the daily diet of the population depends on climatic conditions, place of residence, season, type of activity and age of a person.

In connection with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of August 6, 2014 No. 560 “On the application of certain special economic measures in order to ensure the security of the Russian Federation”, the import of agricultural products from the EU countries, the USA, Canada and Australia into the territory of the Russian Federation was prohibited .

12 Free DIY Greenhouse Plans

How to Choose Which Kind to Get

Glass

Plastic

Fiberglass

Polycarbonate

Polyethylene Film

Ready-made business plans for greenhouses for growing vegetables, strawberries and herbs

Greenhouse business plan

Categories