Construction of a poly-tunnel greenhouse. W/ photos
Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 2:17 pm
I put together a poly tunnel greenhouse and I showed how I did it in photos if you wish to try and make one. This sort of greenhouse is inexpensive, easy to put up, and scalable to what size you need. You can also modify the construction to suit your needs.
First I decided on what size I needed, this one is 19 feet long by 14 feet wide. For this size I used one inch PVC pipe. I used two ten foot pipes and two 2 1/2 half foot pipes. I connected the ends with tees and the center arches with cross tees. I ran a pipe lengthwise at the top to strengthen and tie the arches together. I also added a pipe vertically to the ends for extra strength. If you are going much smaller then ¾ inch pipe may work for you.
I glued the pipe together and lined it up where I wanted the greenhouse. I then drove a 2 to 3' piece of rebar into the ground at one end of the greenhouse, and next to the pipe I had laid out. The rebar is for the pipe to slide over, this holds the pipe in place and secures the greenhouse to the ground. I then drove another section of rebar next to the other end of the greenhouse and ran a rope to line up the center sections of rebar; driving rebar next to them. Then measured the other side and did the same there. When the rebar was in the ground I started at one end and slid the pipe over it, working my way from side to side to the end of the greenhouse.
I also used a length of rope to tie the arches together making them sturdier.
For plastic covering I went to a farm supply store as they sold plastic sheeting in 20' widths, and I got a 20'x50' roll of 6 mill plastic for $60. The stuff I found in the hardware stores was less expensive but it was 10' wide at 6 mills. Ten foot wide was not what I was after; it could work on a smaller version of this green house.
To pull the plastic sheet over the top of the greenhouse I placed a length of 3/4 " pipe on one end of the plastic sheet to use as a way to pull the plastic up and over the one inch pipe. I taped rope to do this and pulled it up like a sail. I used outdoor duct tape to secure the plastic sheathing. A friend who likes the idea said he was going to try using grummets and tied the plastic sheet down.
On this greenhouse I added a gate and used deer fence to let air flow through and keep out the deer.
First I decided on what size I needed, this one is 19 feet long by 14 feet wide. For this size I used one inch PVC pipe. I used two ten foot pipes and two 2 1/2 half foot pipes. I connected the ends with tees and the center arches with cross tees. I ran a pipe lengthwise at the top to strengthen and tie the arches together. I also added a pipe vertically to the ends for extra strength. If you are going much smaller then ¾ inch pipe may work for you.
I glued the pipe together and lined it up where I wanted the greenhouse. I then drove a 2 to 3' piece of rebar into the ground at one end of the greenhouse, and next to the pipe I had laid out. The rebar is for the pipe to slide over, this holds the pipe in place and secures the greenhouse to the ground. I then drove another section of rebar next to the other end of the greenhouse and ran a rope to line up the center sections of rebar; driving rebar next to them. Then measured the other side and did the same there. When the rebar was in the ground I started at one end and slid the pipe over it, working my way from side to side to the end of the greenhouse.
I also used a length of rope to tie the arches together making them sturdier.
For plastic covering I went to a farm supply store as they sold plastic sheeting in 20' widths, and I got a 20'x50' roll of 6 mill plastic for $60. The stuff I found in the hardware stores was less expensive but it was 10' wide at 6 mills. Ten foot wide was not what I was after; it could work on a smaller version of this green house.
To pull the plastic sheet over the top of the greenhouse I placed a length of 3/4 " pipe on one end of the plastic sheet to use as a way to pull the plastic up and over the one inch pipe. I taped rope to do this and pulled it up like a sail. I used outdoor duct tape to secure the plastic sheathing. A friend who likes the idea said he was going to try using grummets and tied the plastic sheet down.
On this greenhouse I added a gate and used deer fence to let air flow through and keep out the deer.