Build a Mini Greenhouse - Hoop House

Build a Mini Greenhouse similar to our Hoop House, just on a smaller scale.

These type of mini greenhouses, or cold frames, can also be made out of PVC pipe. But, metal pipe lasts for a long, long time.

PVC Pipe becomes brittle from UV ray damage, and eventually cracks. Not to mention that it is not as strong and doesn't look as nice. Ok..... I prefer metal.




The copper pipe will last a lot longer than the PVC pipe, PVC pipe breaks down from the sun’s UV rays and becomes brittle after a year or two.

I have seen a similar set-up using metal electrical conduit that you can find at your local hardware store.


Materials used for this project:

  • Copper metal Plumber’s pipe
  • Poly Plastic covering
  • 2x4’s for Base Frame
  • Rebar

If you are interested to see what other types of materials can be used to build a greenhouse take a look at our Greenhouse Materials page.

If you are looking for something a little larger, these Greenhouse Plans can be a great resource.


They have constructed this Hoop House for growing their pepper’s. However, they mention that they have plans to do some winter gardening growing spinach, cold hardy lettuces, kale, and chard inside.

Plant selection for the season is how people are able to grow vegetables throughout the winter without the use of any, heater, or other artificial heat source.

If you are looking for more information for year round gardening you can find two of the best resources that I have come accross for growing vegetables hands down at Greenhouse gardening information.


The Full Build Copper Hoop House:

Hoop House Information


Take a look at the build of our Hoop house:

Building a Hoop House



The way that the Temperature of the greenhouse is kept right through the winter is by setting up little hoop houses or cold frames (just like the one in this video), inside the main hoop house - a Hoop House in a Hoop House (way warmer than the outside one).

Build a Hoop House, build a few mini greenhouses, or a few raised garden beds or cold frames (inside the Main Hoop House), and plan to plant the appropriate plants in the appropriate seasons.

Cold loving plants in the cold season and warm / hot in that season.

Take a look at Eliot Coleman's book for more information here at Greenhouse gardening information.

The temperature inside the mini greenhouses will be a lot warmer inside the mini greenhouse than it will be in the main greenhouse.



From Build a Mini Greenhouse to Home Page

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Please Help Us Get Social:

Follow 123Greenhouse on Twitter



Valued Links and Featured Sites:

Greenhouse Plans

We scoured the Internet. These sites are the best we found. Let us know if you have any to ad.

Free Greenhouse Gardening Construction Plans


"Ole Dirt Farmer"

Crazy Gardener Is Giving Away 7 FREE Gifts!
Mike is more than just the "Dumb Ole Dirt Farmer" that he claims to be.

Backyard Nursery Information


Self Watering Container Plans

Make your own Self Watering Container out of buckets or Tupperware containers.

Don't want to make your own. There is also information about Earthboxes too.

These are great, either or.

Free Self Watering Container Plans


Jonathan White: Food 4 Wealth

We just set-up this system in one of our Poly Tunnel Greenhouses or Hoop House.

It is a great fit. Be sure to take a look. Jonathan is a passionate guy. See below for our full review.

Food 4 Wealth - Reviewed


Aquaponic Plans

These plans are offered from Travis Hughey. An independent gardening enthusiast.

Links on this page will take you to Travis's free e-book.

A Malispina college student shares a video of her completed Barrelponic project. Complete with Tilapia.

Free Aquaponics (Fish and Vegetables) Plans


Free Greenhouse Plans