DIY Greenhouse

I originally created this DIY greenhouse after we purchased our first home and I started to get into gardening. It can become really expensive starting off. In fact, I didn’t have grow lights or warming mats but I really wanted to try growing from seeds. 

As I kid I remember my mom starting her seeds out in the shed, no grow lights, no garden mats. Back then I never loved the process of planting but remembering her in the shed, listening to her music, seeing her in her element is a memory I cherish. Sometimes it would be storming with the smell of spring in the air. Spring brought life and relief from the gloom and silence of a Michigan winter. 

Why I Wanted to Create My Own Greenhouse

Sorry, I got lost there for a minute in that feeling. Let’s see, back to the DIY greenhouse. So my mom is my person I run to with my garden questions. She’s tried a handful of the garden shelf greenhouses. In all honesty her complaint has always been that the shelves are rickety in addition to the plastic always wears out and cracks. Through her experience I didn’t want to put forth money into something I knew would fail me later. I wanted sturdy shelves and to be able to replace my plastic easily. 

Supplies Needed

[  ] Shelves of your choice

[  ] Clear plastic shower curtains

[  ] 2 small Command hooks (optional)

[  ] 2 round magnets (optional)

[  ] 1 strip of velcro (or more if opting out of other attaching pieces) 

[  ] poster putty (optional)

Where I Purchased My Items

• Shelving unit– Wal-Mart $45
  • HART 5-Tier 18″x 36″x70.2″ Ventilated Plastic Wall Shelf Unit, 750lb Capacity https://www.walmart.com/ip/672562686 

• Clear shower curtain liners– Dollar tree $1.25 a piece

• Poster putty (already owned)- Amazon $8.99 for a pack of two
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L7W5KST?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share 

• Magnets (already owned)- Amazon $10 for a pack of 45
  • SMARTAKE 45 Pcs Refrigerator Magnets, Small Round Fridge Magnets, Multi-Use Premium Neodymium Office Magnets for Fridge, Whiteboard, Billboard in Home, Kitchen, Office and School (Silver) https://a.co/d/8iiu6E7 

• Command hooks (already owned) – Wal-Mart $3.98 for a pack of 20.
  • Command Decorating Clips, Clear, 20 Wall Clips https://www.walmart.com/ip/22142286 

DIY Greenhouse Cost Varies

Creating this greenhouse will vary in cost depending on what you decide to use to hold up your plastic as well as what you have on hand. In fact, I have seen shelves on Facebook Marketplace being given away. Additionally you could save your old shower curtain liners as long as they are the clear ones and reuse them for your DIY greenhouse. There are also many ways to attach the plastic to the shelving unit. So, if you decide to reuse items, have items on hand, or find items being given away, you might be able to complete this project for next to nothing!

Greenhouse Instructions Will Vary

Depending on the dimensions of your shelves and shower curtain you may need to adjust how you attach the plastic. For example if you are using wired shelves it may be easier to attach with zip ties and Velcro or magnets. Firstly, what you’ll want to do is attach the back of the plastic so that it is secure both on the top shelf and the bottom. You don’t have to access from the back of the shelf so it is okay to secure it in a more permanent way. Most importantly, you’ll need to access the plants on the shelves from the front, which is why I suggest using Velcro, magnets, or command hooks or a combination of them.

DIY Greenhouse Instructions

Initially, start with your shelving unit fully put together 

1. Firstly, hold up the shower curtain so you can see how far it will wrap around your shelves. This is where you will start and stop you poster putty pieces.
2. Secondly, place pieces of putty around the sides and front of the top shelf. 
3. Now focus on the bottom shelf, place putty dots around the sides and front again. 
4. Then hang up your first shower curtain liner using the putty dots you just attached to the shelf.
5. Next, rotate the shelving unit so that the front becomes the back.
6. Hold up your second shower curtain to the now front of the shelving unit to see where to attach your command hooks
7. Place a command hook to each side of the top shelf and hang the second shower curtain.
8. Towards the bottom of the FIRST shower curtain on the RIGHT side I attached two magnets, front and back that MATCHED up to the magnet at the bottom of the second shower curtain. This is so I didn’t have to glue a magnet.
9. At the BOTTOM of the FRONT SHELF on the left and right you will attach TWO strips of VELCRO. Align your second shower curtain and attach the shower curtain to the Velcro on the shelf.
10. If you have any hanging plastic left on the left side you can use poster putty to attach it to the shelf.

*You might want to consider attaching an additional piece of plastic on top to fully seal in the warmth. That’s not something I’ve done with mine yet.

Alternatives and Substitutes

Alternatively you can use Velcro or magnets to attach all of the plastic to the shelves. Just be sure to line everything up really well. Consider using glue that will hold up to the elements if using outdoors in an uncovered location. I know firsthand hot glue does not hold up to a southern sun.

You could use clear drop plastic instead of shower curtains. I like the shower curtains though because there is no cutting involved for my shelves. 

Why I love it 

I love the fact that I can choose the shelves I want. In addition I really enjoy that I can easily access plastic and for a cheap price, so I don’t have to worry about how to replace my plastic if there are any rips or tears. Since we move often due to my husband being in the military, I chose a unit I could quickly break down.

How long the shelves have lasted so far

I can’t speak for the plastic because I remove mine every season, but my shelves have lasted 3 years so far and still going strong. I’ve used them inside and outside. They’ve been in direct southern sun and rain and have yet broken down and become brittle.

Create One for Yourself

This has been a DIY that I’m so proud of and have been really successful with growing my seedlings in. I love the customization of it and the fact I can easily break it down and store it away if I am not using it or I need to move. I’d really love to see if you create one so be sure to share yours with me on Instagram!

If you enjoyed this post check out my other post on how to organize your seed collection here.