How to Set Up Indoor Greenhouses

Indoor greenhouses allow you to start your seedlings inside your home.

Indoor greenhouses save money and backyard space by giving you a small, convenient indoor space to start your spring seedlings. Since these greenhouses are small and often repurpose recyclable items, they usually cost under $30 dollars to make. Plus, having an indoor greenhouse means you don't have to brave the cold to tend your plants in an outdoor grow space.

Things You'll Need

• Large, 4-inch-deep cardboard box
• 1/2 inch thick, 12 inch long dowel rods
• Super glue
• Sand
• Seed flats
• Seed-starting mix
• Seeds
• Water
• Clear plastic tarp
• Free-standing grow lights

Instructions

1. Run a bead of glue up each of your box's inside corners. Press a dowel rod into each bead of glue so the rods stand upright in the box. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

2. Fill the box with a 2-inch layer of sand. The sand provides your seedlings with drainage and absorbs extra heat to keep the plants warm.

3. Fill your seed flats with soil-less seed-starting mix and plant your seeds about 2 inches apart or plant one seed in each individual seed well. Water each flat with about a pint of water.

4. Place the seed flats in your box, pushing them about 1/2 inch into the sand. The bottoms of the flats should be submerged; no sand should get into the soil or on top of the flats.

5. Spread a clear plastic tarp over the upright dowel rods like a tent. Tuck the plastic under the box on the long sides. Leave it open at the ends for healthy air circulation.

6. Set up free-standing grow lights about 6 inches above the plastic. Leave the lights on for about 6 hours a day. Remove the plastic after the seeds germinate.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the cardboard box with sealed wood or a flat plastic container for a reusable container.

References

• Free Home Gardening Tips: Seeds Love this Simple Indoor Greenhouse