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While helpful, you don’t always need a complicated, space-consuming setup to start seeds indoors. Sometimes it’s as simple as a small plastic greenhouse from Dollar treeand it will only set you back $1.50.
It can easily fit in any size kitchen, on a windowsill or on a balcony, making it an easy, small-space solution for start the seeds — from flower seeds to vegetables and even fast-growing microgreens to add a little fresh kick to your salads. Indeed, growing microgreens it’s my favorite way to use this little greenhouse.
However, despite its small size, favorites like zinnias, cucumbers, basil and more can spend their first few weeks growing comfortably in this small space until they are ready. transplanted in larger pots or outdoors. For less than the cost of a single potted herb in the garden center, you can start dozens of new plants — making it an easy, affordable way to start your garden, even if you’re a novice gardener.
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(Image: Amy Draiss)
By “mini greenhouse”, I really mean mini. The set includes a waterproof seed starting tray and a clear greenhouse canopy that fits perfectly over the tray. It doesn’t snap, but sits securely as intended.
Measuring just 7″ long, 5.5″ wide and 5″ tall, this little greenhouse packs a punch in a small space. The seed tray itself is about 2.5″ deep, which can hold about 1.5 US liters of soil if filled to the top. Instead of buying a heavy bag of soil, I tried the compacted seed starting mix sold next to the mini greenhouse at my local Dollar Tree. Made from 100% coconut coir, it expanded nicely and was enough to fill two of these mini greenhouses.
If a trip to the Dollar Tree isn’t convenient, a similar mini greenhouse setup can be found online for very reasonable prices. We especially like these 5 Pack Seed Starter Tray Seedling Kit from Amazon.
(Image: Amy Draiss)
The possibilities of this little greenhouse are almost endless, but here are some of my favorite seeds to start using this method. I highly recommend buying an affordable seed bundle so you have plenty of variety to experiment with. Timing is everything, so make sure you know when to start your seeds.
For quick harvests at any time: Microgreens can be started at any time, any season. I like to use this tray to grow radishes, broccoli, sunflower, peas and baby rocket greens for my kitchen. If you want to give it a try, I highly recommend picking up an affordable microgreens seed bundle like this one 10 Packs Assortment of Microgreen Seeds from Amazon, to experiment with different flavors.
For the Vegetable Garden: You’ll usually want to start your vegetable seeds — such as tomatoespeppers and lettuce — and houseplants indoors 4 to 5 weeks before the last frost date. Buying a variety pack of jumbo-sized vegetable seeds like this one it’s the most budget-friendly way to ensure you’ll have a good crop of fresh produce all summer long.
For Spring and Summer flowers: If you want a garden full of summer color, you should start flower seeds like zinniascosmos and marigolds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your area’s last frost. I recommend this Zinnia Seed Mix from Organo Republic on Amazon for a nice variety or check out some of my favorite flower seeds from Burpee:
(Image: Amy Draiss)
To start growing, you’ll want to fill the tray with a quality potting mix or seed starting mix, such as coconut palm. My usual seed starting mix of choice is Back to Roots Organic Seed Starting Compressed Blockavailable on Amazon, which expands to 12 liters from a compact, easy-to-store block.
Plant the seeds at the depth recommended on the seed packet and water them gently using a fine spray of lukewarm water. Place the tray, with the greenhouse canopy, in a warm place and be sure to keep the seeds moist during germination.
Once the seeds have germinated, remove the greenhouse canopy. Expose the tray to sunlight by placing it near a window and rotate it every few days to ensure even light for all seedlings. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh air to circulate over the tray.
I’ve definitely talked about this little piece of plastic, but unfortunately, it has limitations. Not durable enough for windy days or heavy storms if used outdoors. And, like any greenhouse, it can overheat in direct, bright sunlight, so keep an eye on germinating plants for temperature. Based on the thickness of the plastic, I also think it might only last a few seasons before it breaks or loses its stability.
It is also important to note that the greenhouse tray does not include drainage holes. I highly recommend poking a few holes in the bottom of the tray before filling it with growing mix to prevent excess water from pooling and causing soggy soil and depreciation.
GROWFRIEND
Seed starter kit
This kit has everything you need to start seeds, including a humidity dome, grow lights, a heat mat for quick germination, even a moisture meter and fly traps.
Keep your startups organized with these tags. Although they come in all white, I like the idea of matching different color tags to different types of plants.
This original seed mix is made from recycled coconut husk – plus, the coconut fiber improves nutrient absorption.