How to Build a Greenhouse

A greenhouse provides a place for your plants to grow in a controlled environment, right in your own backyard. Use this guide to learn how to build a DIY greenhouse from the ground up or from a greenhouse kit.

Before you start, check your zoning laws and regulations and ask local officials if you need a building permit. Be safe and have a friend help you assemble your greenhouse. Many steps will require assistance lifting and holding parts steady.

If you have big greenhouse plans, but don’t have the ability to lay a foundation, a portable greenhouse can offer the same benefits to your garden plants. Being able to move the greenhouse around can also help with shifting crops as the seasons change. Use the greenhouse to extend the growth of summer vegetables and flowers at the end of a season. If the plants don’t show signs of pests or diseases, add them to the compost pile when they’re finished.

This guide is an overview of the building process, and steps 1 and 2 apply whether you’re using a greenhouse kit or building a DIY greenhouse. To build a DIY greenhouse, see steps 3 through 10. Use this PDF for instructions on how build the greenhouse seen in the video.

For an overview of building a greenhouse from a kit, see step 11 and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model. If you need advice on how to build a greenhouse, talk to a building materials associate at The Home Depot.