starting seed in a portable greenhouse

kygreg · February 26, 2009

I start my seeds indoors under lights; but does anyone start them in one of those little portable 3 or 4 shelf green houses. If so how early do you start them.

I guess I should say anyone in zone 6 or colder area.

thanks

dice · February 28, 2009

I don't start them there, but I put a bunch out last year in two
of those about a month before last frost, as soon as they were
potted up the first time (they had the first true leaves, and I
needed the space under the lights). I put a 100 watt light bulb
in a shop light and ran it in there under the sides to keep them
from freezing on nights when night temperatures were forecast
to be under 40F.

The plants were healthy, but one needs to beware of sunny
days, so that they do not fry in there. I would roll the flaps
up in sunny weather and drape them over the top (that lets
some wind in for hardening off, too). On cloudy days I would
just unzip them for air circulation, to avoid mold, and leave
the flaps in place.

huntoften · February 28, 2009

I have a little 2 shelf mini-greenhouse I keep in my breezeway with a south facing window. I have three of the small seedling heat mats in there and start 1,000-1,500 seeds each winter in it. It only holds 3-4 tray at a time, but as soon as they sprout, I move them out of there and into my grow table for a few weeks and then into my greenhouse when the first true leaves begin appearing.

kygreg · February 28, 2009

dice and huntoften, thanks for the info. I do the same as Dice - start indoors and then put in the little greenhouse although I have never used a light in one.

I guess I am trying to find justification for a compulsive buy.

I had 2 of the 4 shelf greenhouse; however I was at our Lowe's last week and they had 5 of them that were by the looks of the boxes obviously left over from last year and they had them priced at $5 each; so I bought all of them. (<:

dice · February 28, 2009

The light in mine stays at groundlevel. It has a cage and shield
around the bulb, and it is turned down toward the concrete patio
that they sit on. It is only there to heat up the air inside at night
to keep it above freezing.

All of the light that the plants get is sunlight.

**Lee** · February 28, 2009

Be sure they are well secured. Last year I had all of my plants
in them to harden off. Then a big wind storm came threw and
blew the thing over... plants and all.... not a total loss but
definitely a downer to start the season!

Lee

February 26, 2009	#1
kygreg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 1,019	starting seed in a portable greenhouse I start my seeds indoors under lights; but does anyone start them in one of those little portable 3 or 4 shelf green houses. If so how early do you start them. I guess I should say anyone in zone 6 or colder area. thanks

February 28, 2009	#2
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	I don't start them there, but I put a bunch out last year in two of those about a month before last frost, as soon as they were potted up the first time (they had the first true leaves, and I needed the space under the lights). I put a 100 watt light bulb in a shop light and ran it in there under the sides to keep them from freezing on nights when night temperatures were forecast to be under 40F. The plants were healthy, but one needs to beware of sunny days, so that they do not fry in there. I would roll the flaps up in sunny weather and drape them over the top (that lets some wind in for hardening off, too). On cloudy days I would just unzip them for air circulation, to avoid mold, and leave the flaps in place. __________________ -- alias Last edited by dice; February 28, 2009 at 04:52 PM. Reason: trivial

February 28, 2009	#3
huntoften Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas CIty Posts: 560	I have a little 2 shelf mini-greenhouse I keep in my breezeway with a south facing window. I have three of the small seedling heat mats in there and start 1,000-1,500 seeds each winter in it. It only holds 3-4 tray at a time, but as soon as they sprout, I move them out of there and into my grow table for a few weeks and then into my greenhouse when the first true leaves begin appearing. __________________ Kansas City, Missouri Zone 5b/6a

February 28, 2009	#5
dice Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: PNW Posts: 4,743	The light in mine stays at groundlevel. It has a cage and shield around the bulb, and it is turned down toward the concrete patio that they sit on. It is only there to heat up the air inside at night to keep it above freezing. All of the light that the plants get is sunlight. __________________ -- alias

February 28, 2009	#6
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	Be sure they are well secured. Last year I had all of my plants in them to harden off. Then a big wind storm came threw and blew the thing over... plants and all.... not a total loss but definitely a downer to start the season! Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.