Winter greenhouse with your own hands: complete guide to construction and maintenance

The cold season does not mean that you have to give up gardening and fresh vegetables. A winter greenhouse built by yourself allows you to grow greens, vegetables, and flowers even in the harshest frosts. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right type of greenhouse, what materials to use, how to organize heating and care for the plants, and we will also provide step-by-step advice so that your winter greenhouse serves you for many years.

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1. Why you should build a winter greenhouse by yourself

1. Year-round cultivation
   Winter greenhouses create conditions under which you can harvest vegetables and fresh greens all year round. This is especially beneficial if you want to have your own organic produce even in the winter period.

2. Cost savings
   If you do the construction yourself, you can save on hiring specialists. Moreover, a well-designed winter greenhouse will help reduce heating costs due to optimal use of solar energy.

3. Control over quality and conditions
   When you build greenhouses by yourself, you have full control over the choice of materials and methods of plant care. This allows you to create a healthy environment for growing without unnecessary chemicals.

4. Seedlings and early start of the season
   In a winter greenhouse, it is easy to organize a separate area for seedlings. Such a seedling greenhouse built by yourself will allow you to plant ready seedlings in the ground as soon as the first warm days arrive, getting an early harvest.

2. Types of winter greenhouses and their features

Depending on the season of use and your needs, winter greenhouses can be divided into two main types:

2.1. Seasonal greenhouses

• Tunnel greenhouses
  The most popular type, usually consists of metal or plastic arches covered with film or agrotextile. Lightweight, inexpensive, and quick to install. Suitable for temporary use during the winter period.

• Frame greenhouses
  Mostly have a more robust frame (wooden or metal) that can be covered with film or polycarbonate. Such frame greenhouses are used for early spring seedlings and growing taller plants during the winter period.

2.2. Permanent greenhouses

• Capital greenhouses
  These are massive structures with a metal or wooden frame, covered with glass or polycarbonate. Often equipped with ventilation, heating, and lighting systems. An ideal option for those who plan to engage in gardening all year round.

• Energy-efficient greenhouses
  Involve special design solutions that reduce heat loss and increase solar energy accumulation. Among such solutions are double-walled panels, heat accumulators, reflective screens, etc. This is a great option for regions with harsh winters.

3. Choosing materials for a winter greenhouse

3.1. Greenhouse frame

1. Wooden frame

   • Advantages: eco-friendliness, availability, ease of processing.
   • Disadvantages: shorter lifespan, requires additional protection from moisture and pests.

2. Metal frame

   • Advantages: high strength, durability, resistance to loads (snow, wind).
   • Disadvantages: higher price, complexity in installation, possibility of corrosion (if not galvanized).

3.2. Greenhouse covering

1. Polyethylene film

   • Advantages: low cost, good light transmission.
   • Disadvantages: limited lifespan (2–3 years), poor thermal insulation in severe frosts.

2. Agrotextile

   • Advantages: excellent air permeability and heat retention, lightweight.
   • Disadvantages: requires careful installation, often used as an additional covering.

3. Polycarbonate

   • Advantages: strength, durability, high thermal insulation, ease of installation.
   • Disadvantages: more expensive than film, requires careful fastening to avoid gaps.

4. Glass

   • Advantages: maximum transparency, durability, scratch resistance.
   • Disadvantages: high price, heavy weight, fragility, complexity of installation.

4. Main stages of building a winter greenhouse by yourself

If you are looking for how to build a winter greenhouse by yourself (or, as sometimes asked, “winter greenhouse by yourself”), it is worth doing the construction step by step. Here is a rough guide:

1. Choosing a location

   • Choose a plot that is well-lit by the sun during the day.
   • Make sure the place is protected from strong winds (for example, by a fence, hedge, or wall of a house).

2. Design and preparation

   • Determine the optimal size of the greenhouse, considering your harvest needs and budget.
   • Plan the location of doors, windows for ventilation, lighting, and areas for plants.
   • Prepare the plot: clear it of debris and level the ground.

3. Foundation construction

   • For frame greenhouses, a light strip or column foundation is often sufficient.
   • For capital structures (with glass or polycarbonate), it is advisable to make a more robust foundation to withstand snow and wind loads.

4. Frame installation

   • Install the frame made of wood or metal according to the drawings.
   • Check the verticality and level of each support to avoid distortions.

5. Covering installation

   • Secure the film, polycarbonate, or glass. In the case of polycarbonate, pay attention to the correct orientation of the sheets (the protective layer should be on the outside).
   • Avoid gaps through which heat can escape.

6. Ventilation organization

   • Provide for vents, windows, or automatic opening systems.
   • In a winter greenhouse, regulating humidity and fresh air is especially important.

7. Heating and lighting

   • For winter greenhouses, electric heaters, infrared lamps, or solid fuel boilers are often used.
   • Choose energy-efficient solutions: heat accumulators (barrels with water, stones) and LED lamps to save electricity.

8. Interior arrangement

   • Install shelves, racks, or beds. For seedling greenhouses built by yourself, multi-level shelves and racks will be useful.
   • Organize a watering system — manual or drip.

5. Heating a winter greenhouse: what to consider

1. Traditional heating

   • Electric convectors or heaters with thermostats.
   • Solid fuel stoves or burzhuykas (if you have access to cheap firewood).

2. Infrared heaters

   • Heat not the air, but the objects and soil.
   • Reduce energy costs and provide even heat.

3. Underfloor heating

   • An effective but more expensive option, especially during the construction of capital greenhouses.
   • Allows maintaining a stable temperature for the root system of plants.

4. Passive solar heating

   • Use energy-efficient materials and heat accumulators (large barrels of water, stone walls).
   • Plan the winter greenhouse so that it maximally absorbs sunlight (south orientation).

6. Tips for caring for plants in a winter greenhouse

1. Maintain optimal temperature and humidity

   • For most vegetables, a comfortable temperature during the day is +18…+25°C, at night +10…+15°C.
   • Excess humidity can lead to the development of fungal diseases.

2. Watering and fertilizing

   • In winter, plants consume less water, so be careful not to overwater the soil.
   • Use organic and mineral fertilizers, following the instructions for each type of plant.

3. Regular ventilation

   • Fresh air prevents the development of mold and diseases.
   • Arrange short ventilation on warm days, keeping the heat inside.

4. Protection from pests and diseases

   • Regularly inspect the plants.
   • At the first signs of damage, use biological preparations or folk remedies (garlic infusion, soapy solution).

5. Shaping and pruning

   • Some crops (tomatoes, cucumbers) require pruning and tying for better yields.
   • Remove damaged leaves to ensure air circulation.

7. Features of growing seedlings in a winter greenhouse

1. Use separate shelves

   • A seedling greenhouse built by yourself should provide convenient shelves or multi-level structures to save space.

2. Ensure sufficient light

   • Young plants need more intense lighting, especially during short winter days. Use phytolamps or LED lamps.

3. Maintain a stable temperature

   • Seedlings require slightly higher temperatures (around +20…+25°C) to germinate faster.

4. Transplant on time

   • When the seedlings are strong enough (2–3 true leaves), they can be transplanted into larger pots or into the ground.

8. Tips for better energy efficiency

1. Insulation of the foundation and frame

   • Use polystyrene, mineral wool, or other insulators to reduce heat loss.

2. Double covering

   • For harsh conditions, you can install double layers of polycarbonate or other double glazing. This significantly reduces heat loss.

3. Use of internal screens

   • Special reflective screens (for example, made of foil materials) help retain heat inside.

9. Conclusion

A winter greenhouse built by yourself is an ideal way to provide yourself with fresh vegetables and greens all year round, as well as having a convenient place for seedlings. By choosing the right type of construction and materials, you will get an effective and durable greenhouse that will withstand winter frosts and provide you with a rich harvest.

• Plan your winter greenhouse considering your climate and budget.
• Pay special attention to insulation and ventilation.
• Do not forget about quality lighting and heating for winter greenhouses in regions with severe frosts.
• Organize convenient shelves or racks so that a seedling greenhouse built by yourself allows you to start the season earlier.

With a thoughtful approach and adherence to construction and care tips, your winter greenhouse will become not just a place for plants, but a true oasis in the cold season. Grow your favorite crops year-round and enjoy your own organic produce!