From old buses to recycled windows and pallets, these crafty DIYers thought outside the box when building their repurposed greenhouses.
Unconventional Ideas for Greenhouses
Updated on Nov. 15, 2024
There are lots of reasons why you might want to build a greenhouse. Maybe you want to eat fresh vegetables you’ve grown yourself that you know are organic. Or maybe you’re looking to start a hobby. And for avid gardeners, a greenhouse can extend harvesting season into late fall or even into winter.
Whatever your reason, there are varying styles and sizes (including mini greenhouses) to consider once you decide to build one. Also, did you know there are portable greenhouses? Not all greenhouses fit under a traditional design.
“The upcycled telephone booth greenhouse is one of the most unique I have seen,” says Manny Barra, a master gardener at TeachMe.To. “Not only does it look quirky and stylish, but it’s also a conversation starter that’s practical, compact and eco-friendly. Plus, it’s a great example of repurposing an old, almost obsolete object into a modern-day oasis for plants.
Here is more about the phone booth conversion, plus other creative ways people have repurposed things into their own greenhouse.
On This Page
Bus
A bus conversion is far from a beginner project, but this Pinterest user set the bar high for fun, unique greenhouse designs. Steps lead up to a large retractable door, and the gutted bus fits dozens of plants. Be sure to read our guide on greenhouse gardening.
Pallets
Pallet project ideas abound, including this creative DIY by this Pinterest user. The pallets support the base of the greenhouse walls, and PVC pipes with plastic sheeting run along the top and sides.
Windows
Recycled windows line the walls of this Pinterest user’s DIY greenhouse. This project took four months to build, according to the user.
Dog Kennel
Rather than throw out an old dog kennel, repurpose it into a mini greenhouse like this Pinterest user. Because of its small size, you’ll need to be selective with the plants you grow.
Phone Booth
People have converted old phone booths into some wild DIYs (like a little free library), and this Pinterest user continued the trend with a DIY greenhouse. The plants are arranged vertically, unlike most greenhouses where they’re stacked side by side.
Headboards
This Pinterest user connected two headboards to form one mini greenhouse. It took three people to assemble, according to the user.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to build or buy a greenhouse?
It depends on your goals and the materials you have access to. “I’ve seen simple greenhouses made from windows harvested from architectural salvage operations that were surprisingly inexpensive,” says Justin Hancock, a horticulturalist at Costa Farms.
But, if you live where materials are hard to source, DIY kits can be a good choice for budget and time savings.
“Building your own may seem cheaper at the outset, but even if you have high-level DIY-building skills and can design your own project, you may find that buying individual parts ends up costing you more,” says Katie Russo, content operations manager at Bootstrap Farmer. “Retrofitting with parts that may work can end up costing more than expected as you struggle to fit them together.”
Do greenhouses work in winter?
Yes, when they’re built correctly for the climate. “In mine, for example, I was able to grow a variety of tropical fruits all year long, despite living in a climate where the temperature dropped to about 15F in the winter,” says Hancock. “It was a poly hoop house that had a propane heater and did the job nicely.”
Even unheated greenhouses can give you two extra USDA zones of protection. For example, if you live in a USDA growing zone of seven, you can grow plants that are hardy to zone nine. But, “Manage your expectations,” says Russo. “If you live in a place that gets three feet of snow, you certainly won’t be able to grow tomatoes in January, but you could probably grow your kale all winter long.”
About the Experts
- Justin Hancock is a horticulturist at Costa Farms, the world’s largest houseplant grower. He has more than 25 years of experience in the horticulture industry as a garden editor, retail garden center operator and plant tag information specialist.
- Katie Russo is content operations manager at Bootstrap Farmer, a leading greenhouse and farming supply company. A proponent of sustainable farming, she used to work as a full-time greenhouse grower and now manages a native tree farm with her husband.
- Manny Barra is the community garden coordinator for the City of Oakland and a master gardener at TeachMe.To. He is passionate about sustainable gardening, soil health, aquaponics and community food systems.
