Now it’s starting to get a bit fresher outside, your outdoor plants are beginning to feel the chill. They can get through autumn without a problem, but winter is a different matter for the specimens that are sensitive to frost. They’re vulnerable to freezing, particularly if they’re in pots. That’s why you put them in the greenhouse to over winter. And you can build a greenhouse that will house two or three plants yourself.
What you will need to make the greenhouse
- some old windows that you have laying around or that you get from the scrapyard;
- wood for building the greenhouse around the windows;
- sedum;
- four hinges;
- two locks;
- screws;
- saw;
- screwdriver;
- stain or paint;
- roller or brush.
And this is how you make the plant greenhouse
Step 1
The windows determine how big greenhouse will be. The sides of the greenhouse should be about 30 cm higher than the height of the windows. Make the greenhouse about 40 cm deep. Cut the wood to size: two sides, one top and one bottom. Make cut-outs at the bottom of the sides - these will become the feet.
Step 2
Screw this frame together.
Step 3
Attach the hinges to the frame and hang the windows in it. Attach locks to the doors.
Step 4
Stain or paint the greenhouse so it can take a knock.
Step 5
Cover the top with sedum - a nice green layer of insulation.
Step 6
Also fun in the spring
It’s worth bearing in mind that in the spring the greenhouse is the ideal place for growing cuttings. That means you can enjoy your DIY project all year round. The greenhouse will also work very well indoors.
Illustrations: Marloes de Vries
