Ever wanted to have a greenhouse in your backyard for plants and vegetables? As glass and metal greenhouses are expensive to construct, one option for having a small greenhouse in your backyard is to use a portable greenhouse. A portable greenhouse is structured much like a portable garage or shed, with a galvanized or powder-coated steel frame anchored into the ground and covered in a polyethylene tarp. The primary difference for a portable greenhouse is the type of polyethylene tarp being used. Instead of a solid colored tarp, portable greenhouses have a medium level translucent tarp covering the roof and all sides of the greenhouse.
Aside from the difference in poly tarps used, a portable greenhouse has all of the same properties that make a portable garage an effective form of shelter and protection of a vehicle and other valuables. These properties include a waterproof surface and UV protection – two qualities which are helpful in growing plants. As a structure, a portable greenhouse is typically a peaked roof canopy with a height of eight feet and lengths ranging from eight to twelve feet long. To keep the greenhouse fully enclosed, the canopy includes a zipper door in front. In addition, if you’re growing plants for a flower show or other plant competition, these greenhouses are small enough to be transported as a unit.
When purchasing a small portable greenhouse, the structure is sold as a greenhouse kit. The same rules apply to setting up a greenhouse kit as to a portable garage. Although these structures with a galvanized or powder-coated steel frame are strong enough to withstand almost all types of weather, the steel structure must be anchored properly – either into the ground or with weights at the base if on a solid surface – for it to fully protect all plants and investments inside.
