Build a greenhouse for tomatoes and protect your plants

The two elements for the door are assembled in the first step. You will need the squared timbers for this: six boards that are 54 x 54 x 490 mm and four that are 54 x 54 x 1,420 mm. You can use a hand-held circular saw or jigsaw to comfortably cut the wood to the desired length yourself. After sawing the boards to size, be sure to sand the cut edges either by hand or using a multi-sander. You can find useful tips in our sanding guide if you have any questions regarding the topic.

Arrange the squared timbers as shown in the image to assemble the frame for the two door elements. The middle of the three short boards is exactly in the middle, the other two are flush with the longer timbers at the top and bottom. Next, the individual parts are joined together with the button head screws. This can be done very quickly with a cordless drill/driver.

Tip: It’s a little easier if you prepare the drill holes in advance with a 6 mm Brad point drill bit. This will give your screws the guidance they need and prevents them from slipping in the material, enabling you to screw them in nice and straight.

You need six squared timbers (54 x 54 mm) with a length of 620 mm and two each that are 1,560 mm and 1,690 mm long for the two side elements. You can either buy them cut to size at the store or cut them yourself like you did in step one. If you decide to cut the squared timbers to the right length yourself, you should sand them down afterwards so that the edges are not rough.

You start by connecting the three squared timbers 54 x 54 x 620 mm to the long squared timber 54 x 54 x 1,690 mm. To do so, take three button head screws (6 x 120 mm) and a cordless screwdriver for each element.

The longer piece will later form the front where the doors are hung. By the way, the front and back sides are different lengths to prevent rainwater collecting on your greenhouse later on. The different lengths of the boards results in a pitched roof allowing rainwater to drain off perfectly. The lower cross connection is flush. The upper one is fixed at a distance of 270 mm from the other end of the squared timber. The centre piece comes right in the middle. Finally, screw the squared timber (54 x 54 x 1,560 mm) tightly in place. To do so, you also need three button head screws (6 x 120 mm) per element.

The roof ensures that your tomatoes are not exposed to too much rain later. You will need two squared timbers each measuring 54 x 54 x 950 mm and 54 x 54 x 1,200 mm to assemble the roof structure.

Now lay the two longer pieces of wood parallel to each other. Then place one of the two shorter squared timbers flush on top with a distance of 100 mm to the left and right (see image). Now use four button head screws (6 x 100 mm) and a cordless drill/driver to attach the boards from above.

Now you just have to connect the individual parts to one another to completely assemble the greenhouse. First, screw the two side elements to the EUR pallet with three button head screws (6 x 100 mm) per side. The two side elements are then joined together at the height of the upper and middle cross connection with a squared timber (54 x 54 x 1,090 mm) using two button head screws (6 x 120 mm). These two pieces of wood form the back wall of the greenhouse.

Tip: The screws can be screwed in more easily if you prepare the drill holes with a 6 mm Brad point drill bit.

The next step is to attach the four hinges to the side elements in order to be able to hang the doors at the front. It is important that you attach the hinges such that the doors swing outward. Place the hinges so that they are 150 mm from the top and bottom of the door. To do so, it is best to use 3.5 x 45 mm countersunk screws. You’ll need a total of 24 screws.

To be able to attach the roof element, use G-clamps to fasten it in place first. The squared timbers of the side elements should face outward, the roof beam on the inside. Then you can attach the roof construction using one countersunk screw (6 x 100 mm) in each squared timber.

It’s already looking great. Your wooden structure should be ready by now. Finally, you just have to cover them with the corrugated acrylic sheets. Then your greenhouse is absolutely weatherproof. Use a jigsaw and a fine-tooth saw blade for plastic if you want to cut the panels yourself. Then attach the corrugated acrylic sheets to your greenhouse with G-clamps. The largest element (1,490 x 1,200 mm) forms the back, and the element with 1,100 x 1,300 mm forms the roof. Use the two corrugated acrylic sheets (1,490 x 760 mm) on the sides. Now there are two left: the elements with 1,470 x 600 mm are used on the doors. The individual parts are now attached using the sealing screws (4 x 50 mm).

Tip: Always insert the screws into the corrugated acrylic sheets where there is a trough (between the crests) and pre-drill in the appropriate places, preferably using a 4 mm drill bit.

Now your DIY greenhouse is finished and you’re ready for the next gardening season! Would you like to try out more creative DIY projects for the garden? We’ll show you how to easily build a DIY pavilion or a raised bed for herbs and vegetables.

Check out our upcycling ideas for your garden if you would like more inspiration for your garden. You can also learn more about how to correctly care for your plants in our Garden Knowledge section. You can also find tons of useful video tutorials for DIY projects for your garden on our YouTube channel.