How to Convert a Shed to a Greenhouse

A small, unused or unneeded but sound shed can give your plants an early start, if you convert it to a greenhouse. Basically, a shed's bones or skeletal framework isn't much different -- if at all -- from that of its warm, humid, seed-starting counterpart. This is a relatively involved undertaking, but a few general guidelines can get you thinking about the transformation.

Stripping Down

Basically, you'll start your shed-to-greenhouse transformation by working backwards -- undoing the build in the opposite way the structure came together. The door and any windows likely were the last parts installed, so remove them before dismantling any siding, interior- and exterior-plywood wall panels and roofing materials -- the wall studs, headers, roof trusses and flooring make up integral parts of the greenhouse's structure. The tools and gear you'll need include:

• Crowbar
• Nail puller or hammer to remove nails
• Drill or screwdriver to remove screws
• Hardhat, work gloves and safety glasses

On the Move

For seeds or seedlings to flourish, you may need to move the shed, if it wasn't constructed in a sunny or south-facing location. Although the stripped-down building is lighter than it was when fully clad, the move can be a heavy project. To move a small shed a short distance, you may only require poles or pipes as rollers, lumber as tracks and manpower to push it along. For a larger shed, you might need a skid or trailer, jacks to lift it and a winch to drag it to its new location.

Wrap It Up

Contemplate your greenhouse's layout, from the plant shelving around the perimeter to a storage area for items, such as gardening hand tools, pots, fertilizers and a watering can. As for the ultraviolet-resistant plastic -- usually 6-mil polyethylene -- there's more to the wrapping process than draping and stapling; consider ventilation in the roof and lower side walls, fans, the door's design and any shade cloth for temperature and humidity control, depending on the climate.