A folding greenhouse is a perfect solution for extending your growing season, protecting your plants from harsh weather, and creating a controlled environment for optimal growth in your raised garden. This type of greenhouse can be conveniently folded away when not in use, making it a versatile option for gardeners with limited space. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to build your own folding greenhouse for your raised garden.
Materials You Will Need:
- PVC pipes (1-inch diameter) or wooden dowels (depending on preference)
- PVC connectors (elbows, T-joints, and cross connectors)
- Hinges (for foldability)
- Greenhouse plastic sheeting or UV-resistant clear plastic
- Zip ties or greenhouse clips
- Measuring tape
- Saw (for cutting pipes or wood)
- Drill with bits
- Screws
- Optional: weather stripping or foam insulation tape for a better seal
Step 1: Measure Your Raised Garden Bed
The first step is to measure your raised garden bed to determine the size of your folding greenhouse. Measure the length, width, and height of your raised garden bed, keeping in mind that you want the greenhouse to be tall enough to accommodate the plants you plan to grow.
The folding greenhouse should cover the entire garden bed while allowing some extra space to secure it firmly. Make note of these dimensions, as they will guide the cutting and assembly of your frame.
Step 2: Create the Frame for the Greenhouse
Option 1: PVC Pipe Frame
- Cut the PVC Pipes: Use your measurements to cut the PVC pipes into sections that will form the base, sides, and top of your greenhouse. For a typical rectangular raised bed, you’ll need four pieces for the base, four pieces for the vertical supports, and two or more pieces for the roof, depending on the size.
- Assemble the Base and Sides: Connect the PVC pipes using the PVC connectors. Use elbow connectors for the corners and T-joints or cross connectors for the middle sections where vertical and horizontal pieces meet. This will form the basic structure of your folding greenhouse.
- Add Hinges: To make the greenhouse foldable, attach hinges at two points on the longer side of the frame. This will allow you to fold the greenhouse frame up and down when accessing the garden or when it’s not needed.
Option 2: Wooden Dowels Frame
- Cut the Wood: Measure and cut the wooden dowels or lumber to the appropriate lengths for the base, sides, and roof of your greenhouse frame.
- Assemble the Frame: Drill holes at the ends of each piece of wood, and use screws to attach the pieces together. Create a sturdy rectangular or square frame that fits around your raised garden bed.
- Add Hinges: Attach hinges along one side of the wooden frame to allow it to fold. Ensure the hinges are securely fastened to withstand the weight of the wood.
Step 3: Attach the Greenhouse Plastic
Now that your frame is assembled, it’s time to cover it with the greenhouse plastic sheeting. Greenhouse plastic is ideal because it’s durable, UV-resistant, and allows sunlight to pass through while protecting your plants from the elements.
- Cut the Plastic Sheeting: Cut the plastic sheeting to fit the size of your frame, allowing a little extra on each side to secure it to the frame.
- Attach the Plastic to the Frame: Drape the plastic over the top of the frame and use zip ties or greenhouse clips to secure it to the PVC pipes or wooden dowels. Make sure the plastic is pulled tight and smooth to avoid sagging or flapping in the wind. For a more secure attachment, you can staple or screw the plastic to the wooden frame.
- Seal the Edges: To create a better seal and protect against drafts, you can add weather stripping or foam insulation tape along the edges of the frame where the plastic meets the raised garden bed.
Step 4: Add Ventilation and Access Points
Good ventilation is crucial for maintaining healthy plants inside your folding greenhouse. You can create simple ventilation flaps or windows by cutting small openings in the plastic sheeting and securing them with Velcro or ties. These can be opened on warmer days to allow airflow and prevent overheating.
For easy access to your plants, consider adding a door or removable section to the greenhouse. This can be as simple as cutting a flap in the plastic sheeting that can be rolled up and tied when you need to work in the garden.
Step 5: Secure the Greenhouse to the Raised Bed
To prevent your folding greenhouse from being blown away by strong winds, it’s important to secure it to your raised garden bed. Here are a few ways to do this:
- Anchor the Frame: If you used PVC pipes, you can drive rebar stakes into the ground at each corner of the greenhouse frame and slip the frame over the stakes for stability. For a wooden frame, you can use metal brackets to attach the greenhouse frame directly to the raised bed.
- Tie-Downs: Use heavy-duty garden stakes or weights to tie down the plastic sheeting at the base of the greenhouse, ensuring that it remains secure even in windy conditions.
Step 6: Fold and Unfold as Needed
One of the great advantages of a folding greenhouse is its flexibility. When you don’t need the greenhouse, simply fold it down to allow your plants to receive more direct sunlight and rain. When the weather turns cold or stormy, you can easily fold it back up to protect your plants.
To make folding easier, ensure that the hinges and joints are well-lubricated and check them regularly for any signs of wear or rust.
Optional Enhancements:
- Drip Irrigation: Install a drip irrigation system inside the greenhouse to keep your plants consistently watered without needing to open the greenhouse frequently.
- Automatic Vent Openers: If you want to add a more high-tech touch, you can install automatic vent openers that will adjust the ventilation flaps based on the temperature inside the greenhouse.
- Shade Cloth: Add a removable shade cloth to the top of the greenhouse during hot summer months to protect your plants from intense sunlight.
Conclusion
Building a folding greenhouse for your raised garden is a practical and rewarding project that will allow you to extend your growing season and protect your plants from the elements. By following these steps, you can create a functional and flexible greenhouse that can be easily folded away when not in use. With a little effort and creativity, your folding greenhouse will become a valuable tool in your gardening arsenal, helping you grow healthy plants year-round.