How to Make an Indoor Greenhouse

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By Sarah C
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Make an Indoor Greenhouse

Make an indoor greenhouse out of any ordinary plant stand, or shelf. A costly outdoor greenhouse isn't needed to start seedlings. A small indoor greenhouse is just as effective and much more manageable than a large greenhouse.

An indoor greenhouse is a great way to start seedlings that will later be planted outdoors. Growing seedlings in a greenhouse atmosphere will make healthy strong plants and also have a high germination rate.

Start putting together an indoor greenhouse with these easy step by step instructions.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Plant stand
Sheet Plastic
Glue gun
Heating pad or heat lamp
Sunny window or Grow light

Step 1

Choose the plant stand-

Almost any sturdy stand will work. It can be any shape or size, pick something that has shelves and has an open back and front.
Measure the stands on all sides, add an extra 2" to the measurements.
Step 2

Use sheet plastic-

Buy or recycle clear plastic. This type of plastic is commonly sold on a roll in hardware stores. Don't worry if it isn't 100% clear. The plastic helps defuse the light and protect the seedlings from direct burning sunlight.

Measure and cut the plastic in two sheets. Place the sheets on top of each other on a flat surface.
Step 3

Glue the plastic-

Use a hot glue gun to seal the plastic. Start gluing in at 1/2". Glue 12" at a time, running a strip of glue, then wait a second and press down. Repeat until all 3 sides are glued down, leaving the bottom half open.
Step 4

Put it together-

Slide the plastic on, over the plant stand. This is the mini indoor greenhouse completed!
Step 5

To maintain a greenhouse condition, the greenhouse will need to be placed near a sunny window, or grow lights can be installed in the greenhouse. The temperature should stay right around 80 degrees during the day, and 70 degrees at night. To help keep it warm, a heating pad can be added under the seed trays, or a light can be put in. After the seeds have germinated, the temperature can be lowered.

To help keep humidity high in your mini greenhouse, add in a cup of water, keep it filled up to evaporate into the air.

Comments

izzytellsall said

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on 5/16/2009 What a great approach for an indoor greenhouse! I built something a lot more complicated *and* a lot less permanent this year so I'll definitely be using this tutorial for next year's seedlings!

slphilbrick said

on 4/24/2009 Great idea for a mini greenhouse. I always start plants inside, but my cat LOVES to find a way into them. This may be effective to keep him out as well !