Two Small Greenhouses
The first greenhouse was built almost entirely from recycled materials. The second greenhouse is a hoophouse, a plastic tent-like building built over a simple metal frame.

This greenhouse was built almost entirely out of recycled building materials, including old doors and windows from home-renovation projects.

It also includes junk-shop shelving units and a cinderblock foundation.

There is also a garage-sale sink. The homeowner grows a variety of plants in her greenhouse, including parsley, chives, chard, arugula, oregano, cantaloupe, green beans, zucchini and heirloom tomatoes.

Her prize plants are a pair of lemon trees and an avocado tree that took almost five years to produce a single avocado.

Pests are kept under control in two ways.
Interplanting is the process of scattering and mixing plants rather than grouping crops together in rows. This seems to confuse bugs by keeping the scents diluted. A "bird patrol," or birdhouses placed all around the yard, invite birds, which feed on the bugs.

The second greenhouse is a hoophouse, an arched metal frame wrapped in clear plastic. The tentlike structure is an inexpensive alternative to traditional glass-paned greenhouses.

The interior is packed with native plants being reproduced, herbs, vegetables, flowers, even olive trees.

The interior temperature is maintained in a number of ways, including a propane heater, a ventilation fan and heating mats for seedlings.
The plastic skin of the greenhouse itself can be covered with an adjustable shade cloth as needed.
Next Up
A Guide to Greenhouse Features and Gadgets
Enhance the functionality of your greenhouse with these hard-working accessories and tools.
Architecturally Designed Greenhouse
Tour a greenhouse that was architecturally designed and built to blend in seamlessly with the owner's house.
Soil Mix for Greenhouses
Learn about soil secrets for a successful greenhouse.
Getting a new Greenhouse Ready
The basics of planning for a greenhouse explained
Tips for Organizing a Greenhouse
Greenhouse gardeners will find these tips helpful.
Tips for Putting Together a Garden Workshop
This guide serves as a starting point for designing the ultimate backyard gardening workshop.
Greenhouse Advice
Learn about propagating, or reproducing, plants from seeds, then get some tips for using containers to start the tender seeds.
Creative Genius: Matt Mattus, Plantsman
Guaranteed to inspire gardeners and landscape enthusiasts of all skill levels.
Copper Garden Border
Learn how to edge garden beds with copper tubing. It's a hip departure from run-of-the-mill wire edging, and the copper takes on a beautiful patina as it's exposed to the elements.