Market Garden: How we built a greenhouse for under $150

We upcycled an old dog kennel which we were given for free into a greenhouse. We used wood, cattle panels, zip ties, and a few screws that we already had on hand. We purchased a few pieces of lumber, pipe insulation, and plastic sheeting. We bought the plastic sheeting for $100, but we only used about a third of it. So while we spent $150 on materials, we only used about $80 worth to build the greenhouse.
Our finished greenhouse is 12.5’x7’ and 8’ tall inside. It’s tall enough for my 6’6” husband to stand in comfortably.
Now we just need to get planting!
Arrow PT50 Pneumatic Fastener: amzn.to/2IKnMvC

[@Letyourimaginationgrowwild]

Looks very good, good to see the kids using power tools most children do not get taught how to handle them at school . Im looking forward to an update to what your growing in it now.Happy growing week.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thanks! Chris has always had the girls working along side us, teaching them as we go. They’re probably more knowledgeable than I am. Growing updates coming soon.

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

LOL I have to deal with the same problem, Lorella! If I don't do the dishes, they don't get done. 😜 Nice job on the green house!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you!

[@ccrews0612]

It’s working great. Temps in the 90+ range a few days ago

[@AlmostHomestead]

Nice job on using what you have for most of the build.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you!

[@CrankyBubushka]

Nice vid. Thanks. I like the jazzy music you used.

[@goatgal7884]

Wow, what a great idea!Hoping to get something like that built this year.Great video, Thanks!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I feel like we are chasing the season. Finally got it up, and now it’s getting warm outside.

[@ziegenvinehomestead]

65 degress sounds heavenly! LOL close to 50 degrees today in NY. Nice job. :)

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thanks! We are colder again. Down in the low 50’s. Sometimes we get four seasons in one week!

[@sassylrhg]

I can tell you from past experience, the regular tops these dog kennels have using a tarp, will not hold even with a small amount of snow. It will bend the inverted V shaped aluminum poles in 2 days of 2 inch snow. That cattle fencing is a must even in the NC foothills mild winters. Also, thanks to you both for reminding me why I love being single!!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Um… you’re welcome?

[@candiwallace6605]

Awesome job!!🤗😍😎

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you!

[@kan-zee]

Subbed yah guys... Loving your TEAMWORK , guys. Enjoy how you take the time, to explain the how's and why's of the process. 13:40 What was someone inside doing ?? LOL....That is a solid marriage...lol 14:29 THUMBS UP !! 👍👍👍 Big C for the Win !! lol Cheers 😍 👍

[@MrAntoniosavelli]

Excellent Job.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you!

[@WendyK656]

Great Job y'all

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you.

[@AutumnOaksFarm]

Nice job

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you!!

[@livinglife5313]

Lov this

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Our high winds in Southern Missouri took this down in less than a year. So if you do something similar, make sure it’s sturdier.

[@HumbleLittleHomestead]

I like it, it's really neat! This would also be a great way to build an animal shelter! Definitely keeping my eye out for cheap or free dog kennels. :)

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thanks!!

[@HumbleLittleHomestead]

Oh wanted to add too, if you were to go buy one for $150, it probably wouldn't stand up to the wind or be near as durable as the one you built! :)

[@ccrews0612]

Humble Little Homestead it is super sturdy for sure. I tend to over build things.

[@rebeccaiya8731]

Gr8 job

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Thank you!

[@mellissabailey2592]

I may need to talk my husband in to doing this. I never thought of using a dog kennel and I see them all the time on Craigslist.

[@ccrews0612]

Mellissa Bailey if you don’t need the extra height just go straight across the top and you’re done.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Awesome.

[@Wilderstead]

Lookin great!! One question though, is it pegged down to the ground at all? Not sure how windy it gets there, but you'd be surprised how easily a good wind can inflate a greenhouse like a parachute and flip it over, or worse, send it cartwheeling across the field.. And yes, even though that probably weighs a few hundred pounds, it can still happen. One simple way that would really secure it would be 4 2 foot pieces of 2x4, each with one end cut at a 45 to make heavy duty stakes. Pound them in at each corner to a foot deep, then screw each one to the kennel frame. We went a little overboard on ours due to the wind here. It is bolted to the cement stones on the ground, then bolted to 4x4s which make the base, and we still used the 2x4 stakes. Better safe than sorry! Otherwise, that'll definitely grow you some food!

[@ccrews0612]

I considered making stakes from 2x4 scraps I have because we get severe winds here from time to time. But didn’t. Will I regret that?? Don’t know. I’ll wait till a windy day and go look at it I suppose and decide then. You are right it’s like a big sail just sitting there waiting to tumble across the pasture.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Chris did ask me if I thought we should stake it. I said no. Now you’ve both got me rethinking it. We don’t get regular strong winds, but have occasional storms with high winds and tornado warnings. It would probably be best to take the simple precaution than risk what could be a big clean up or possible damage.

[@Wilderstead]

I'd definitely consider it. Don't want all that hard work blowing away in a matter of seconds. Oh, and guess what - Finally starting getting notifications again!

[@loriehabel1552]

Good idea👍 so when i get the duck house tore down i know whats happing to the kennel😁

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Awesome!

[@HHeirloomIA]

Superb idea and cheap project! The pipe insulation was brilliant. :) My greenhouse lean to on the garage is similar. I use clear tarp (come in all sizes) from Amazon for the top and white tarps from Menards for the sides. The top lasts two years and sides only one year. What will you be doing for ventilation? It WILL get VERY hot in there as the summer moves in.

[@ccrews0612]

HHeirloomIA we discussed adding a window or vent on the west side opposite the door. That will probably be added as we get deeper into spring.

[@HHeirloomIA]

Plan Bee Orchard & Farm aim high for the ventilation. :)

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Yes, what Chris said.

[@Maggie-Gardener-Maker]

I found your channel today because of this video popping up in my feed. This is creative using what you have to repurpose. So I see it was about 4 years ago by comments but publish date isn't showing. I'm wondering how has it held up? I looked at your about page and see you are in Ava Missouri - have you connected with the Living Traditions Homestead?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Hi! Yes, I am friends with Kevin and Sarah. They are such good people. :) The greenhouse didn’t last long because of the jagged edges of the dog kennel chain. We later turned it into a rabbitry, but during a terrible storm (we had a “hundred year flood”) the roof filled with water and sadly it bent the side of the kennel beyond repair.

[@BloomwithGraceGardenFlorida]

this looks amazing. What size cattle panels did u use for the ceiling?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

They were extra sections someone had given us, I really don’t know the measurements. FYI We didn’t use greenhouse plastic, and what we used got shredded in a big storm, so make sure you use good plastic. :)

[@mytruthfromva4940]

Silly question. Could you make a flap inside. That you can pull down. Maybe it could keep the cold out some more

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

That might have worked! But we are no longer using this for a green house. We turned it into a rabbitry and used for a couple years until it was destroyed in a storm.

[@mytruthfromva4940]

Lorella - Plan Bee Orchard and Farm I’m sorry you lost it. I’m thinking about trying it out. I enjoyed your video :)

[@switlyn0513]

Nice May I ask where do u buy the plastic cover

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

I purchased it at Lowes, and you could get it at any home improvement or hardware store. If you go through a greenhouse supply website or store, you will get better quality plastic that will last longer, but it is more expensive, so it really depends on your budget.

[@switlyn0513]

Lorella - Plan Bee Orchard and Farm thx so much

[@tayloraerialphotography7679]

What thickness of plastic sheeting did you use?

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

At this point I don’t remember. It’s been a long time. It was the thickest available at Lowes in the construction area.

[@TheHappyHomesteadingHerbalist]

Love the greenhouse but hon, you apologize too much to him. You're trying hard. No need to say sorry.

[@woodyydoow3645]

FROM THE "COMMENT COMIC"...I AM NO BLIND THEOLOGIAN ; HOWEVER, LYING TO ONE'S WIFE OVER HIDDEN EXTRA ZIP TIES MAY CONSTITUTE "ENTERING THROUGH THE WIDE GATE".

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Hahahahaha 😂😂😂😂😂

[@mikeadams2354]

That ain’t a dog...

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

?? in the dog kennel?? Not sure what you mean.