Using a Mini-Greenhouse

Dead-winter is just beginning in many areas, so thoughts of gardening may still just seem like a wistful dream. But why not plan ahead for next winter, and try to keep your garden going throughout the year? You may want to think about the possibility of a greenhouse. We will be doing a short series this month on greenhouses, so that you can put plans into place to have a great garden year-round!

Some people may think of a greenhouse as a huge glass-walled contraption similar in size to a house or small barn, but they actually come in all shapes and sizes. A good greenhouse need not always be big and spacious. Although those requirements are ideal for big plant growers and commercial greenhouses, those who only have a small area for a greenhouse can also have their own by building a mini version of a greenhouse.

Image via WikipediaGardeners who are much into planting and growing crops but have a limited garden space have the option of building a mini greenhouse. This mini greenhouse can actually be placed anywhere such as on balconies, patios, backyards, and decks as the typical size is just around 6 square feet. Though small, it also provides the same benefits that the regular greenhouses do.

Mini greenhouses are also ideal for those who are just beginners in the greenhouse technology. Before venturing into building a big one, it is best to learn how a greenhouse works and know the different things needed to have an ideal growing condition for your plants. And this learning process for beginners can be done by starting with mini greenhouses.

A mini greenhouse can be used to start plant growth before the cold season in a particular area. Once the weather gets better and warmer, these healthy plants and crops planted inside the greenhouse can now be transplanted outside into the garden. This will allow for earlier harvesting of crops. A huge selection of seeds can also be planted in the greenhouse which makes planting a lot more fun for hobbyists and gardeners.

There are a good variety of herbs and lettuce that can be grown healthily and successfully in mini-greenhouses even for the whole year. Other delectable vegetables such as Swiss chard, spinach, and kale can also be planted and grown inside the mini-greenhouse. These would make for a great bowl of salad with freshly-picked greens even during the cold season.

Image by Pat Dalton... via FlickrMini greenhouses are also useful with tender perennial plants. The greenhouse can protect them from ice, snow and frost during the winter season. They can be placed in plant containers and stay healthy inside the mini structure until spring begins. Once the weather becomes friendly enough, these plants can then be again transplanted into the garden outside.

The decorative plants commonly found inside the house can be given a healthy change by placing them inside the mini greenhouse and placing them outside during the summer months. This mini structure can offer tropical plants a humid climate. Miniature greenhouses, just like the regular large ones, maximize the amount of sunlight and make the most out of the heat absorbed. It also provides needed protection for plants from rain, wind, destructive insects and other pests in the garden such as rabbits.

Since mini gardens or greenhouses can be very light because of their small structure, they may be easily blown by wind or knocked over by pets and kids. Thus, it is recommended that these small gardens be placed or mounted into a wall or garage rather than being a free-standing structure. It is best to place them in a location where there is enough sunlight, but they are safe from other outside factors as well. There are also do-it-yourself greenhouse kits available in the market that include complete instructions and step-by-step guides for a beginner to build a mini greenhouse quickly and easily. These kits can also be inexpensive and can commonly accommodate up to three shelves.

So should one really choose to have a full-sized greenhouse or just go with a miniature one? Even if a large space is available for a full-sized greenhouse, having a small one may be more practical - especially to start with. If the main purpose of having a greenhouse is to grow only a few plants, germinate seeds, or provide protection during the colder season, having a mini greenhouse is just fine. Also, the cost to maintain small greenhouses are significantly lower than the full-sized ones.

Many gardeners find great success with greenhouses, even a mini one. This structure can prove to be a good investment and yield better results than just doing the traditional gardening. And if one really finds happiness in caring for plants and harvesting a few crops, greenhouse-gardening can definitely offer lifetime enjoyment.

Examples of Mini-Greenhouse Kits: