This simple, inexpensive greenhouse folds down to protect your plants during early frosts and cold snaps, then can be raised up on warmer days to allow them full access to sunlight and rain. Made with PVC pipe and plastic, it’s light, yet sturdy enough to withstand winds when placed in a somewhat sheltered location. Cut the pipes yourself, or make it easy by having them pre-cut at your local home improvement store. Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day, then build it in a single afternoon to protect your plants all season long. An important note about plant placement: When you arrange your plants inside the greenhouse, make sure they do not touch the sides or top of the lowered structure. Plastic will actually conduct cold to anything it’s directly touching. To assemble our fold-down greenhouse, watch the video, scroll down for instructions, or download our printable How to Build a Fold-Down Greenhouse PDF guide.
Estimated Time: 2 hours (Less if you have pipes pre-cut)
Project Difficulty: Easy (with a helper) to Moderate
List of Materials
- 8 – 1-inch x 10-foot-long PVC pipes
- 8 – 1-inch elbow fittings
- 2 – 1-inch tee fittings
- 4 – 1¼-inch tee fittings
- 2 – ¾-inch x 5-foot-long pieces metal conduit
- 1 box #8 x ¾-inch lath washer head screws
- 2 – ¼-inch x 3-inch bolts
- 25 feet of 12-foot wide 4 mm plastic sheeting (UV-rated will last longer)
- 3 – 2- to 3-foot lengths of coated light-duty utility chain
- 3 spring links
- 2 to 4 – 1¼-inch pipe straps
- 2 to 3 plastic-body spring clamps
- several bricks or paver pieces
List of Tools:
- hacksaw, jigsaw, or miter saw*
- rubber mallet or sledge hammer
- drill/driver
- spring clamps
- ¾-inch soil/garden auger drill attachment (optional)
* or can have pipes pre-cut at home improvement store per lengths in Parts List
Parts List:
Part | Quantity | Size |
---|---|---|
Back frame stiles | 2 | 1 x 72 |
Back frame rail | 1 | 1 x 96 |
Bottom frame back rail | 1 | 1 x 94 |
Bottom frame stiles | 2 | 1 x 60 |
Bottom frame front rail | 1 | 1 x 92 |
Middle frame rail | 1 | 1 x 89¼ |
Middle frame stiles | 2 | 1 x 44 |

Instructions
Choosing and Preparing Your Location
Pick a flat, well-drained area along a wall of your home, garage, or out-building with at least 10 feet of uninterrupted length and 6 or more hours of sun exposure. Make sure that no wiring or pipes run within a foot of the wall. You’ll need clearance to about 8 feet away from the wall for greenhouse assembly.Using a rubber mallet or small sledge hammer, drive two 5-foot sections of conduit pipe at least 12 inches into the ground adjacent to the wall, about 8 feet apart. Place them as close to the wall as you can. If you have trouble driving the pipe into the ground, you can use a 3/4- or 1-inch soil auger to create a hole.
Cutting the Pipe
Building the Frame
Attaching the Plastic
Folding Up the Frame
Finished Dimensions
- Height 73 inches (at the back)
- Width 99 inches
- Depth 61 inches
Design by Chris Hill.