When you live in a colder climate, you are severely limited in the types of plants you can grow in your garden. If your tastes run to more exotic equatorial flowers that won't survive the harsh winters in your home town, you have two options: move to the tropics or build a greenhouse. Most people assume that building a greenhouse will take a lot more expertise than they have, but in fact even the most inexperienced do it yourselfer can knock together a passable greenhouse in a single weekend.

Greenhouses don't have to be complicated. They just have to be enclosed. All you need is a frame and windows, but those windows don't need to be made out of glass. Plexiglass will also work (though it may become scratched and cloudy over time) and can be more easily attached than glass, as the screws can go right through the plexiglass. Heavy duty plastic sheeting of the type that you can buy on rolls at the home store will also work. Applying this type of film is as easy as wielding a staple gun. The frame of the greenhouse can be wooden and can be put together with some nails and screws. The most difficult part will likely be securing it to the ground by burying the posts or securing them in concrete. If this is not done, your greenhouse may blow over.

If you're confident enough in your greenhouse construction skills to give it a try but don't know where to start on the design, you can find plans in home renovation books which can be obtained through the bookstore or library. You can also opt to buy a greenhouse kit, which contains plans and all the materials you will need to build your greenhouse. You can usually order them through your local home building center.