Butterfly Greenhouse, is it worth it?

Owners of large plots can afford to install large heated and unheated greenhouses. Indoor beds can be used to grow heat-loving vegetables in colder regions or harvest any crops as early as the first half of summer. For those with a relatively small garden, large structures are unsuitable and must look for other options. A good solution is the Butterfly greenhouse; it is small, convenient, easy to install, dismantle, and move to another location. Mini greenhouse You can do it yourself using ready-made schemes.

Design characteristics

The Butterfly Greenhouse is a small, convenient structure that allows you to plant garden crops before comfortable conditions are established in the open ground. This greenhouse retains warm air well, and the outer covering allows sunlight to pass through. It's easy to create and maintain an optimal microclimate. The factory-made product has a service life of 10 years (subject to proper use).

The compact structure is easy to use and handle than a greenhouse, but its functionality is virtually identical. Caring for planted crops is significantly simplified; there's no need to walk along the beds; any plant can be reached from the very edge. Space is saved inside the structure, as there's no need to create paths between the beds. Butterfly species:

1. A gable-roofed, widened greenhouse with solid wooden walls at the bottom and straight windows at the top.
2. The trapezoidal greenhouse is similar to the first option, but the lower walls are made of transparent material.
3. An extended building with a high arched roof and solid wooden sides below.
4. A completely transparent arched structure. The base and frame are made of metal.

The structures typically come prefabricated and come with step-by-step assembly instructions. For stability, the edges of the frame are fitted with stakes that are driven into the ground. Before purchasing or building a greenhouse, it's important to consider the pros and cons of the design.

It's not advisable to rely on advertising or the words of salespeople, whose primary goal is to make a sale. To provide a more detailed, reliable description, we reviewed reviews from gardeners who have already used this type of structure. Advantages:

• protection of plants from cold;
• wind resistance up to 20 m/s;
• rapid warming in the sun;
• Possibility of installation in a small area, low structure does not create shadows;
• Wide-opening windows provide plants with optimal air exchange;
• Easy installation and dismantling. The assembled structure is easy to move to another location and transport in a car;
• no need to install a foundation;
• crops can be planted in 2 rows;
• long service life of the factory product;
• ease of plant care.

Many gardeners note that windows have to be opened and closed frequently. Paint peels or disintegrates quickly in areas where there's even minimal friction. Without a protective coating, the metal rusts. The same happens in frame areas where fasteners or bolts are attached. Problem areas should be immediately cleaned and painted. Factory-made structures have very fragile, weak door hinges and window awnings that easily break off. Manufacturers often provide unclear instructions; to avoid assembly errors, find them on forums (for similar products).

Assembling a Butterfly greenhouse yourself

Depending on your needs, a greenhouse can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. For most gardeners, a standard greenhouse size of 1 or 1.5 meters high, 2 meters wide, and 4 meters long is suitable. This height may not be sufficient for climbing plants or tall plants, such as indeterminate tomatoes. The height can be adjusted by placing the greenhouse frame on wooden sides.

Foundation A foundation isn't required, but experts recommend constructing a foundation of concrete or timber made from durable wood (walnut, oak, ash, larch, etc.). This is especially important if the greenhouse is located in a drafty area or in a low-lying area where moisture accumulates and additional drainage is needed. A foundation will strengthen the greenhouse and make it more stable. When choosing materials, consider whether the structure will be collapsible or solid. For a greenhouse of the former type, it's best to choose a durable material for the profile and a lightweight material for the covering.

When building a Butterfly greenhouse yourself, a simplified design is most often used, using wood as the base (a house-like structure). This type of structure won't last long, so it's better to invest in a reliable greenhouse from metal profile tubing and polycarbonate. We'll describe the most common method for installing an arched mini-greenhouse: 1.3 m wide, 90 cm high when buried, and 1.12 m on a foundation, 4 m long.

Preparation of materials and tools

To ensure the greenhouse performs its basic functions, it's important to select durable, long-lasting polycarbonate that maintains temperature and humidity inside any structure. The material should allow light to pass through while protecting plants from UV rays. A 4-meter greenhouse will require a 2.1 x 7 m polycarbonate sheet. The following materials are needed for the frame:

• 2 end arcs and 1 middle one;
• 3 cross beams (1260 mm);
• 4 upper stringers and 8 side ones (1978 mm);
• 4 stringers for each sash (1828 mm);
• 6 lugs (450 mm);
• pens;
• sash stops;
• 8 door hinges;
• 4 corner brackets and 2 intermediate ones;
• 32 triangular kerchiefs and 8 square ones;
• 8 turntables;
• 32 corners.

Individual structural components should be joined together using only fasteners—self-tapping screws (roofing and metal), nuts, bolts, and washers. Tools required: a marker, scissors or a sharp knife, a tape measure, a circular saw, a hammer, a screwdriver, a manual or mechanical pipe bender, and a welding machine. All hardware must be carefully selected and robust.

Step-by-step assembly instructions

First, you need to prepare the site. The chosen location should be well-lit and level; experienced gardeners recommend placing the Butterfly plant in a north-south orientation. It's not recommended to install the mini greenhouse in a low-lying area to avoid the risk of excess moisture accumulating during rainy seasons. Ensure easy access to the structure from all sides; such a greenhouse shouldn't be placed too close to fences. The area should be cleared of debris, and the top layer of soil should be removed. Installation:

1. The frame is assembled by fastening the parts together with a welding machine or bolts.
2. The sashes are installed on fasteners (on the central beam).
3. The metal is treated with an anti-corrosion agent.
4. The polycarbonate is cut, first the side parts are attached, then the “wings”.
5. The frame is sewn up covering material self-tapping screws with thermal washers (it is advisable to use fasteners with seals), all seams are treated with sealant.
6. Supports (which support the raised segments) are mounted on the sides of the window frames, and handles are also attached to the bottom of the folding elements.

A homemade greenhouse will be no different from a store-bought one, but there are a few rules to follow during installation. During assembly, ensure there are no gaps, let alone open walls. Use a spirit level when leveling the area. Bend the polycarbonate sheets only perpendicular to the honeycomb. It is recommended to install the Butterfly greenhouse in early spring.

The assembly process may seem complicated. However, having a visual diagram of the finished product and drawing it yourself, including all the dimensions, will make the task easier. If you don't have welding or pipe bending skills, it's best to call a professional. If you plan to build a foundation, this step should be performed immediately after site preparation.

Care and maintenance tips

Gardeners who have already tried this type of greenhouse share additional operating tips. To avoid breaking the fragile structural components, open and close the doors only by the handles, using extreme care, without slamming or tugging. If the greenhouse is left on the property for the winter, place several supports inside to help support the weight of snow.

In the fall, disinfect the walls inside the greenhouse. Otherwise, the microorganisms accumulated over the summer will migrate to the plants next season, making them more difficult to remove. Any chips or other damage to the frame must be repaired immediately. Corrosion on metal surfaces requires particularly prompt treatment. It's best to install the greenhouse on a foundation, as this will reduce the exposure of the lower part of the frame to moisture.

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The Butterfly greenhouse is in high demand among gardeners due to its simple, practical, and yet reliable design. Owners of small plots will be able to efficiently utilize available space. Gardeners in northern regions will no longer have to construct temporary shelters every year to protect particularly heat-loving crops from recurrent frosts. This design is worth considering.