By Aldona Bird
Newsroom@DominionPost.com
While summer gardens are in full swing, autumn seedlings may just be popping up. Whether you are planting new things or wanting to protect some plants you’ve had growing for some time, a mini greenhouse may be just what your garden needs.
A mini greenhouse can warm a small area of your garden to give heat-loving plants a boost, and it can also prevent deer, bunny and some insect damage.
To make a mini greenhouse, you will need:
- Wooden-framed windows (four or five)
- 2-by-4 boards
- Paint and brush
- Circular saw
- Drill
- Screws (No. 10 — 2.5 inch works well)
- Screening
First decide how large or small you want your mini greenhouse. If you want to protect just one or two plants, use small windows. If you want to protect several plants, use larger windows.
Wooden-framed windows are often available at thrift stores. Check local Facebook marketplace, thrift stores, Craigslist, Freecycle, etc.
The ideal window ratios are: two the same size for the sides, one or two (if you only have one, make one side just screened — great for ventilation) of equal or lesser height and narrower width for the end(s) and a window for the top equal to or longer than the sides and the same width as the end window(s).
For the mini greenhouse in these photos, the windows are 38-by-30, 28-by-28 and 28-by-40 respectively.
Use 2-by-4 boards to build an inner frame. Cut four legs the height of your shortest window (in this example 28 inches). Cut supports for connecting the legs in the direction of the longer sides (in this example 38 inches), and cut supports for the ends (in this case 28 inches).
Screw the two longer supports to two legs each. Use a framing square to make sure right angles are correct.
Arrange the legs with supports so the supports will be on the inside of the greenhouse. Screw on the top supports across the tops of the legs on either ends.
Paint the frame and the window frames with an outdoor paint to make them last longer. If you are using older window frames, there may be a danger of lead paint. Deal with this safely (do not create paint dust — painting over may be the safest option, but research to be sure).
If you use screen to cover one end (recommended, especially if you want to use the greenhouse for pest control), attach it with screws across one end of the frame and trim to the right side.
Take the frame, windows, drill and screws to your garden. Using screws, affix the windows on the sides and end. If you want a window on both ends, consider attaching via hinges and open for ventilation.
Place the top window on top of the frame, and step back to appreciate your mini greenhouse. Keep plants inside well watered and watch them thrive in the heat and safety.
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