Other uses for carports

OK – this may initially seem like a crazy idea but in these gloomy economic times many of us are looking for ways of saving money and even possibly making some extra. One idea is to convert your into a greenhouse.

It could be that the kids have left home, you no longer use your carport for protecting your car/s or that it has seen better days. Possibly you have seen used carports for sale, you have the land, but you already have a garage and have no other use in mind. A carport turned greenhouse can work out cheaper than building your own from scratch and makes the job quicker by utilising the carport structure you already have available.

Growing your own fruit, flowers and vegetables can sometimes be a nightmare because of weather conditions and most greenhouses are not really tall or wide enough to justify the time invested tending our seeds and cuttings. When you think about it carports are a good size and you can stand upright whilst having plenty of space to move around freely. If the carport is attached to the house then do not worry because you can use the solid wall for erecting shelving etc.

All you need in a sunny south facing side which is not shaded by large trees or buildings and you have the ideal conditions to transform your carport!

How to transform your carport

Converting your carport need not be expensive. All you need to buy are sheets of UV resistant polythene or corrugated plastic, a dryer vent kit and use your basic DIY tools.

Firstly, you need to check the structure of the carport and check there are no sharp pieces of timber, brick, nails etc and it may be a good idea to give it a thorough clean with some anti-fungal detergent.

Then you will probably need someone to help drape and secure the sheeting or hold the corrugated plastic to ensure that it stays smooth whilst erecting it and held taut whilst the last corner is finished. This kind person could also hold the ladder whilst you fix the venting (instructions are included in each pack) and you could reward them for their time by showering them with fresh flowers, fruit or vegetables later in the season.

Having your own greenhouse means you can grow many types of fruit and vegetables which are fresh, organic and almost free of charge. You could give flowers, plants and miniature trees to friends and neighbors or even sell them at garage sales or local markets.

A little time spent on the internet or a visit to the local library will provide you with plenty of information about greenhouse gardening and it can be a great project for all ages showing a reward at the end of each season.

Enjoy your new ‘carport’!

Carports