Omar Khalid
Building a plastic dome greenhouse is a rewarding and achievable project that can help you extend the growing season of your plants and protect them from harsh weather. The dome shape maximises sun exposure, giving plants the full benefit of the sun from all angles, and provides a large volume for a small surface area, allowing plenty of space for vertical gardening. In this article, we will discuss the steps to build a plastic dome greenhouse, the materials required, and the benefits of this structure for your garden.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To extend the growing season of plants and protect them from harsh weather |
| Dome shape advantages | Large volume for a small surface area, maximized sun exposure, and strength |
| Materials | Wood, struts, polytunnel plastic, screws, staples, bricks, stones, connectors, waterproof sealant, bolts, washers, drywall screws, plastic sheeting, rebar, PVC tubing, stain, glue, screws, hammers, saws, etc. |
| Dome structure | Triangles assembled to create the dome shape, with the option of a door built into the structure |
| Plastic covering | Cut and draped over the dome structure, with overlaps trimmed and secured with staples and planks |
| Ventilation | Roof vents or holes with rain flaps are important to maintain ideal growing temperatures |
| Additional features | Pallet floor, planter, planting beds, shelves, thermal sink, curtains, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Planning the structure
Determine the Base and Size:
Start by deciding the size of your dome greenhouse. The geodesic design allows for easy scalability by adjusting the size of the base and the number of triangles used. A larger base and more triangles will create a bigger dome. Plan the dimensions according to the space available in your garden or backyard.
Gather the Materials:
The materials required for your structure will depend on the size and design choices you make. For a wooden frame, you'll need pieces of wood cut to specific lengths with ends angled to form triangles. You'll also need connectors, bolts, screws, washers, and a waterproof sealant. For the covering, heavy-duty plastic sheeting or polytunnel plastic is commonly used.
Design the Frame:
The frame of your dome greenhouse will be composed of triangles. Plan to have enough triangular pieces to form the dome shape. The number of triangles will depend on the size and desired complexity of your structure. Each triangle will be connected to form a stable and strong geodesic shape.
Ventilation and Windows:
Consider ventilation when planning your structure. Include windows or roof vents to regulate the temperature. Automatic greenhouse window openers are an option to maintain optimal temperatures. You can also add furring strips, which are thin wood slats along the edges of the dome, to cover the plastic and create a cleaner finish.
Doorways:
Plan the placement and design of your doorway. You can opt for a simple draped entryway by leaving one of the triangles uncovered, or you can build an actual door using struts and covering it with plastic. Ensure that your doorway doesn't interrupt the shape of the dome, especially if you're in a region with snowfall, as a smooth dome shape allows snow to slide off easily.
Anchoring:
Consider how you will anchor your dome securely to the ground. This can be done using pieces of rebar hammered into the ground at the corners and joints of the structure. This will provide stability and ensure your dome can withstand harsh weather conditions.
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Gathering materials
Building a plastic dome greenhouse is a fun DIY project that can be completed within a few days. The materials required for the project can be easily sourced from your local hardware store or online. Here is a detailed list of the materials you will need to gather for constructing a sturdy and functional plastic dome greenhouse:
Plastic Covering:
The key component of your dome greenhouse is the plastic covering. You can use a heavy-duty plastic drop cloth, also known as 6-mil polyethylene sheeting. This type of plastic is durable and will help insulate the greenhouse. The size of the plastic sheet will depend on the dimensions of your dome, but a standard size of 12 feet by 12 feet should be sufficient for most projects.
Wooden Base:
For the base of your dome, you will need pieces of wood with ends cut at 12-degree angles. The number of wooden pieces will depend on the size of your dome, but for a stable base, you will typically need around 15 pieces. These pieces will be glued and screwed together to form a sturdy foundation for your dome.
Connectors and Fasteners:
To connect the wooden pieces and create a stable structure, you will need connectors such as metal straps, bolts, and hex nuts. Additionally, you will require fasteners like drywall screws, washers, and staples for your staple gun. These connectors and fasteners will ensure that your dome remains rigid and securely fastened.
Rebar and PVC Tubing:
To anchor your dome securely, you will need rebar and PVC tubing. The rebar should be hammered into the ground at each corner of the dome, providing a strong foundation. PVC tubing is then slipped over the rebar for added stability. You will need four 18-inch long, ½-inch pieces of rebar and four 9-inch long pieces of PVC tubing for this step.
Tools:
Gather essential tools such as a drill, drill bits, a hammer, safety goggles, work gloves, a tape measure, a protractor, a shovel, paintbrushes, a hand wood saw, and a staple gun. These tools will be used throughout the construction process, ensuring accurate measurements, safe handling, and a precise assembly.
Ventilation and Accessories:
Don't forget to consider ventilation for your dome greenhouse. You can add a roof vent or roof holes covered by a rain flap to regulate the temperature. Additionally, you might want to include shelves, rocks or thermal sinks, and an entry way with a draped covering or a simple door to complete your plastic dome greenhouse.
With these materials gathered, you will be well on your way to constructing a functional and aesthetically pleasing plastic dome greenhouse.
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Building the base
Planning and Materials
Start by determining the desired size of your dome greenhouse. The base's dimensions will dictate the required materials. For a geodesic dome, the base typically consists of multiple pieces of wood, cut and assembled to form a stable foundation. You will need wood, a drill, a drill hammer, screws, glue, a protractor, and a saw. The number of wood pieces and their angles will depend on the size and complexity of your design.
Constructing the Base Framework
Cut the wood pieces to the required length and angle. For a geodesic dome, the ends of the wood pieces are typically cut at specific angles, such as 12-degree angles, to form the base structure. Assemble the pieces by gluing and screwing them together to create a sturdy framework. Ensure all joints are securely fastened and the base is level. Use a protractor to measure angles and make precise cuts.
Filling and Sealing the Base
Once the base framework is assembled, fill any gaps or spaces underneath with small stones or gravel. This step ensures a solid and level foundation for your greenhouse. After filling, seal the base by covering it with a durable material, such as roof plastic or a heavy-duty tarp. This layer will protect the wood from moisture and potential pests.
Anchoring the Dome
To securely anchor your dome to the base, you can use rebar and PVC tubing. Hammer pieces of rebar into each corner and other strategic points along the base. Slip PVC tubing over the rebar for added stability. This method will vary depending on your design, but it is crucial for ensuring your dome remains firmly attached to its foundation.
Covering the Base
Finally, you can begin covering the base with plastic sheeting. Cut a large sheet of plastic to size, allowing for some overlap. Drape the plastic over the base, ensuring equal coverage on all sides. Use bricks or stones to weigh down the edges and prevent the plastic from blowing away. Smooth out any wrinkles, and ensure the plastic is taut.
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Covering the frame
Begin by cutting out a large sheet of plastic, approximately 6 to 7 feet in length. Cover a section of the dome with the plastic, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Pull the plastic tightly over one triangular section of the dome. Use staples to attach the plastic to the wood, spacing them about 2 inches apart. As you staple, continue to smooth out the plastic to remove any wrinkles. It is helpful to fold the excess plastic over itself as you staple it to the wood.
Repeat this process, covering as many triangles as you can with the plastic sheet. For three facets in a row, cutting the polytunnel plastic worked best. Acidome can also calculate the size of the facets, which is especially useful for more valuable coverings. Lay the struts on the plastic cover and cut the 2-3 facets approximately. Any overlaps can be trimmed with a utility knife.
First, staple the plastic to the struts, then use 1 cm planks to hold it in place. This will also highlight the structure of the dome. Furring strips, or thin wooden slats, can be used along the edges of the dome to cover the plastic and create a cleaner look.
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Final touches
Once the dome is assembled, you can finish the interior with a pallet floor, a round tomato planter in the centre, and planting beds around the perimeter. Raised beds on tables above the planters help take advantage of the vertical space.
You can also add furring strips, which are thin wood slats along the edges of your dome, to cover the plastic and add a cleaner look. It is recommended to treat your wood with a non-toxic wood stain. A white, water-based stain is preferable, as any oil-based or dark stain will eat into the plastic.
A shear white curtain in the entryway will allow ample airflow while filtering out aphids and other insects and critters. Be sure to move the curtain during pollination season so that pollinating insects are not trapped outside.
If you are not using a cooling system, you will need more than two windows. You can build the door and windows from the same struts as the structure and cover them with plastic.
Finally, if you live in an area with heavy snowfall, it is recommended to routinely remove snow from your dome to keep heavy loads and stress off the structure.
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Frequently asked questions
The dome shape gives a large volume for a small surface area, with plenty of space inside for vertical gardening. The dome shape also maximises sun exposure so plants benefit from sunlight from all angles.
You will need a heavy plastic drop cloth, pieces of rebar and PVC tubing, bricks or stones, struts, polytunnel plastic, a drill hammer, a staple gun, and screws.
First, build the base using wood, glue, and screws. Then, cover the dome with plastic, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Smooth out the plastic to get the wrinkles out and fold the excess plastic on top of itself. Secure the plastic with staples and use bricks or stones to weigh it down.
