DIY Greenhouse Ideas to Flex Your Creativity

There is no denying the benefits of a greenhouse, especially here in New Zealand. They offer plant protection, much-needed climate control, and even a more extended growing season. In some of the cooler parts of the country, greenhouses offer keen gardeners the chance to grow something that may never have survived outdoors. To see the type of greenhouses available, check SteelMates. They provide a wide range of greenhouses in New Zealand.  

But there’s a sticking point with greenhouses, and it’s that they are all the same. When you want your garden to be noticed and stand out, a standard greenhouse may not be the way to achieve it.

Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the benefits of a greenhouse, but without the stock-standard model. Read on to find out what DIY greenhouse ideas could be to your liking.

Old windows

If you were to describe a greenhouse in any way, it would be a structure with transparent materials. So, not to get technical, but old windows can become a structure with transparent materials.

If you, like many New Zealanders, are replacing wooden windows with aluminium ones, then don’t be in a hurry to throw the old ones away. With enough DIY knowledge, you can turn them into a makeshift greenhouse that looks as pretty as a picture.

Portable greenhouse

Another common problem that gardeners face is that they don’t want a permanent greenhouse in their yard. What happens if they want to play around with their landscaping or carry out a garden clean-up? Something more temporary, but equally as useful, could be on the cards.

So, why not look at your options in the realm of portable greenhouses? Often, you can purchase a frame and a UV-protected cover to go with it. Such a greenhouse can be set up and pulled down in a matter of minutes.

Window cold frames

In the gardening world, cold frames are boxes with no bottoms that you put over plants to protect them from the elements. They have a transparent roof to let light in, and these are often attached with a hinge.

While you can buy cold frames as a ready-made structure, why not flex your creative muscles? After all, we are a nation of DIYers.

You can use old wooden windows to form the foundation and lid of your cold frame. It can then be a smaller and often more manageable version of a greenhouse that you may not have used to its full potential. 

Trampoline frames

If you like the idea of owning a greenhouse, but you don’t want to spend a lot of money, then why not use what you already have? Old trampoline frames are a dime a dozen, with many families having had at least one trampoline damaged or lost to high winds.

Take advantage of the now-redundant trampoline by turning it into a greenhouse. Cut a circle frame in half and secure plastic over the top. Install a basic wooden frame door, and there you have it!

Umbrella greenhouse

Not everyone is blessed with a quarter-acre section to build the garden of their dreams. But just because you don’t have endless landscaping opportunities, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a greenhouse of sorts. 

Plant your favourite fruits and vegetables in whatever planter box or barrel you have, then invest in transparent umbrellas. You can then secure these over the top of the plant to protect it from the elements. Not only does an umbrella greenhouse solve the problem of space, but of affordability and creative design. 

Picture frames

If you have a few prized plants that are particularly sensitive to New Zealand conditions, then you are probably wondering if investing in a greenhouse is worth your time. For a few small plants, it might not be, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come up with a DIY solution.

Make use of old photo frames and turn them into a tiny structure that can shelter and protect your favourite flowers. You can then put it indoors or outdoors where it will be safe and climate-controlled.

Mason jars

One of the hardest things about growing new plants is getting them to grow roots and thrive. In the ground outside, you may not find that you have the ideal conditions for that to happen. But what if your pickle jar could help? 

Save your old mason jars and use them as a form of protection and temperature control for those young plants. Place your plant in the ground, put the jar over the job, and job done! Because it can retain moisture and keep the temperature consistent, your young plants will have a chance to grow roots and thrive in their new environment.

Plant protection, the creative way

Many people are put off the idea of growing their own produce because they are worried the ever-changing New Zealand climate will make it a pointless exercise. Sometimes, though, all it can take is a bit of Kiwi ingenuity to come up with a solution.

Why not create your own greenhouse using some of these DIY greenhouse ideas and tips above? You never know, your local garden expert may even be able to offer some helpful advice to get you started.