Make a Mini Greenhouse for Under $10

I would absolutely love to have a full-size greenhouse. Something like this:

Or perhaps this:

But, for now, I can only dream of being able to afford something like that. For now, the most I can hope for is a smaller greenhouse that could be placed on our porch or deck. Something like this:

Even that one is about $1,400 and doesn’t ship to the US.

So what’s an impatient girl to do? Make a teeny greenhouse for a few bucks and see how it goes.

Steps for Making a Mini Greenhouse

1. Buy a clear tote. I bought a 3-pack of clear totes from Costco. They were $18.99 for three (so $6.33 a piece).
2. Drill holes in the top and the bottom. This depends on what you want to use it for, of course. My first mini greenhouse was for winter sowing. Since I wanted the elements to get in, I drilled holes in the top for the rain and snow. If I was using it as a cold frame for seedlings or cuttings, I would probably leave those holes out.
3. Fill with plants. I used clear cups filled with seeds.
4. Put it in a good spot. Remember that a plastic or glass container placed in the sun will get really hot. That might be what you want if you are growing tropical plants outside. If you are hardening seedlings or starting seeds, consider putting it somewhere bright but not in direct sunlight.
5. Monitor the heat and moisture. If it gets too hot, open the top. If it’s dry, water the seeds some. If it’s too wet, let it air out a bit.

That is about all there is to it. Granted, these mini greenhouses aren’t quite as jaw-dropping as a full-sized greenhouse. However, they are a good way to experiment with growing in a greenhouse or cold frame before buying something larger. Plus, they pack away when you are done using them and don’t take up much space. They could also be used for seed starting, winter sowing, hardening off cuttings, or whatever you can think up!