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Apr 23, 2015

DIY Greenhouse from Scraps : It's Ugly but it Works

It's chilly here today, so I'm not doing much crafting.
The wind is kicking in too and with the 50* temps, I'm just not feeling it.

But I'd like to show you some pics of my "make do" greenhouse outback. It is sort of a larger craft~
It's ugly but it works!

Seriously, try not to laugh. I was going for a hoop house design, lol.
But ended up just happy that it was standing!

I mean, it's growed the goodies already and it cost me nothing, zip, zero to build!
I used the crap laying around from our remodeling days.

The best kind ever right?
Oh yea, I had to buy a few rolls of duck tape.

Here's how it's basically made.
2x4's and Black Water Line

 You see that black, flexible piping? That is the black waterline that connects our homes to the city water source.
When we moved here, (way back in the country,) we had to buy and run our own at our expense. So we had to buy the large rolls like the city buys. So we had lots left over.
It's strong and flexible and cuts easy. It's also easy to drive a nail through!
1x3's and DUCK TAPE:
Next we laid a few 1x3's along the top and sides to brace it. I just used duck tape to secure the black piping to the boards.

Oh here a pic, ignore the star.

Here's a link to making these Tobacco Stick Stars!

and a bit closer:
The 1x3's come in a bundle at Lowes pretty cheap, like around $10 a bundle. I had some left over from making a flower trellis.
PLASTIC SHEETING:
After a few in place it was getting pretty sound.
Then just take a big ole roll of plastic, found at Lowes, Walmart or sometimes Biglots (ours came from Biglots right before winter,) and start wrapping the frame.
I went from side to side. Like from the left front side, over the top, to the right front side.
Repeat!
I used lots of clear packaging tape and the duck tape to stick it here and there when needed inside.
Tape the crap out of it. No one will ever see it......
Well, that's what I thought and now here I am sharing it to the world. lol

ZIP TIES:
Another thing I did was poke tiny holes here and there and stick in zip ties to help hold the plastic to the black piping:
Zip Ties and in the way back left, you can see a green bungee cord. I'm hoping if the wind kicks up, these bungee cords will help hold this big old air bubble in place.
Oh, do you see that cute Tobacco Stick Chair?
Here's how I made that!


*One thing I forgot to mention is to not attach the sides of the plastic at the bottom.*
You will need to raise these pieces up to let the greenhouse vent when it is super hot!
So just leave the strands hanging down and lay a brick or something on it when you need to keep them down.

Now, I am thinking of making a make do screen door for the front. That may just help it out a bit!
But for now I'm happy.

PS. I am building a second one!!! Stay tuned!

Let's take a look inside:

I try to use the cheapest things I can when planting seeds. And these little styrofoam cups are cheap. I just stick holes in them to let the water drain. And I tear of the top ridges. I just don't like them on for some reason. lol
I also save those carboard type eggshell trays. But they are a bit tricky when wet to handle. And you can't leave the seeds in very long after they sprout because they don't hold much dirt.
This is trays (OLD GLASS WINDOW) on the ground inside. I laid a bottom layer of plastic on the ground too.
~*~
Now, for my Thursday Link Up, if you've made it down this far:

Here is a cute old wooden fence outside of my uncle's home last summer:

I am joining in on the Good Fences Link Up below:

17 comments:

  1. gorgeous greenery around that fence! hey, things don't have to be pretty if they function well - and almost free is good, too! :)

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    1. Thanks TexWisGirl!
      Wish I'd gotten more in the pic of his fence. That's a small stream running in front. Maybe next time...
      So true also, if it works, I'm happy!
      -Lisa

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  2. Very inventive and if it works and it looks like it is, how wonderful. Love the green in the last shot.

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  3. I just wish I had half your enthusiasm and go get it attitude! You did great making it for pennies!
    Love the fence photo too in amongst the trees!

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  4. I like your green house.. It does the job, it works for me.. Love the pretty fence shot.. Happy Thursday!

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  5. Who cares what it looks like as long as it works. :) Great greenhouse, looks like the seedlings are loving it because they look happy.

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    1. Thanks Kamyria! So true! I've got some flower seeds I got yesterday that are about to get thrown in the mix also lol.

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  6. Love your makedo greenhouse! Hey it works, who cares what it looks like! Our seeds just came today, so excited!
    Happy planting!

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    1. Exactly ! Lol I have new flower seeds ready to go. Happy planting to you too!

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  7. Hi Andy, thanks for stopping by! I love the Run*A*Round Ranch Report blog!

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  8. I think you did a great job using scraps from previous projects for your greenhouse! And you're growing garden goodies already, hooray!

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    1. Thank you. I kept scraps and bits from about everything we worked on when we moved here. Never know when I can use it lol

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  9. Glad you joined in on the Fence fun. That's a nice looking fence.
    I like your DIY Greenhouse. Shows ingenuity and perseverance too. Neat to see you & your hubby too.

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    1. Thank you Ida.i try to use a lot of what I got before buying a lot. It helps all around.
      -lisa

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  10. I've always wanted a little greenhouse of my own. If it works, it doesn't matter how it looks. Love it!

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    1. I hope you get to make one of your own!!
      that is so true! i do love it.

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I love comments! Let me know you stopped by, please. Happy Crafting! ~Lisa