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An Indoor Greenhouse is a Year-Round Garden
By Flower | February 23, 2009
Do you wish you could grow vegetables but you don’t have enough yard space? Why not consider an indoor greenhouse. If you live in a condo or apartment, it’s easy to see the attractions of an indoor greenhouse. But even gardeners with yards can find uses for an indoor greenhouse.
A real benefit is the lower expense involved. A small indoor greenhouse can be a lot less expensive than building even a basic lean-to structure. It’s not that difficult to build a greenhouse in your own home with supplies that are readily available at any home improvement outlet.
Perhaps you like the idea of an indoor greenhouse, but really don’t want to go to the trouble of building it yourself. Fortunately for you, it’s possible to purchase indoor greenhouse kits. You can get these in various styles and brand names. You can get them at a department store, a garden center, or an online retailer.
You can buy indoor greenhouse kits in many different varieties, from a small countertop herb garden to a larger unit that might consume a good portion of your basement.
If you don’t find this idea suitable, you can build your own greenhouse on the cheap. You’ll need to start by constructing a freestanding shelving unit of up to four shelves. The unit will need to be fixed firmly to the ground.
Once this is done, you need to provide a means of retaining heat and moisture. This can be accomplished by using sheets of plastic or an old shower curtain to cover the shelves, and sealing them with duct tape. You can heat your greenhouse by buying a heating pad and laying it on the floor. Make sure you buy a thermometer so you can measure the temperature regularly.
You can give your plants a humid environment by placing a cup of water in the greenhouse. For their lighting needs, you can use a basic fluorescent lamp. But you should really consider purchasing a specially designed grow light that will help your plants thrive. A basic unit is relatively inexpensive.
Next you need some soil-filled containers to set your plants in. Arrange them on the shelves and add some water. Now can step back and admire the results of your labor in creating a homemade indoor greenhouse.
These are general guidelines, and you can add to them with your own ideas and preferences. You will most certainly end up with an indoor greenhouse that’s perfect for you, whether you buy or build.
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