I garbage picked this and finally got around to putting it together. I currently use lights to start my seeds indoors. Is it worth keeping/storing this to use in any advantageous way to grow things before planting them out? Chicago. Thanks!
by Positive_Throwaway1
42 Comments
Edit: I know it’s a cheap greenhouse. I’m just wondering if these things are worth using in any way or if they’re just junk.
It can be used for starting seeds indoors – probably with some lights and heating mats.
It isn’t really built for outside, but it could be used if you can monitor the temperature (so it doesn’t get too hot), and lash it securely to a fence of a wall so it doesn’t blow away.
It could be a controlled way to harden off seedlings while giving some shelter from wind and rain. That being said these things are very light and will fly like a kite given the chance. Make sure you find a way to either attach it to the ground or weigh it down somehow
I use mine to start seeds in my basement in the winter
Seed starting. Then a drying rack at harvest is what I use mine for
I love mine for starting seeds in zone 5b. Mine totally disassembles for storage in a box.
Could maybe be used outside for brassicas to keep the cabbage worms away. You may need to remove some of the shelves to give you more height though depending on what you’re growing.
Yes, if I had the space, I could store stuff from the garage, if nothing else. Keep it kinda clean.
Oh man, I first thought this was from the camping sub I follow and had so many outdoor gear storage suggestions. lol
mine disintegrated in 2 seasons
I also use mine indoors for seed starting. I hang lights only, no mat and I ditched the cover. It’s a sturdy little shelf but I do have it tied onto something to make extra sure my kids/pets don’t bump into it too hard.
I used it outdoors one spring greenhouse style and it worked as it should. I opened it on warmer days and closed it on cold days. I had to tie it in place for wind but it had holes in the cover for that purpose.
Absolutely, seed growing, cuttings , brilliant.
I use the racking for seedings. Haven’t used the tarp in awhile.
I use mine to harden off my plants I start indoors. I drove some stakes in between the frame into the dirt so it doesn’t budge even in crazy winds. I used a shade cloth (actually it was black burlap cloth) draped over it, to keep the sun from burning them. The green house is no good for starting stuff off early when it’s still cold out unless it’s heated.
Could be nice for growing microgreens
I have a similar one if not the same. I used mine to start my seeds. I live in zone 5B (NY). I think it did a good job and definitely helped with my seedlings. It did get hot inside, but I made sure to pay attention to that or just zip up the door. It’s incredibly flimsy though if you use it outside.
I use it with lights to start seeds inside
In the mycology world this is known as a “Martha tent” (long story, has to do with Martha Stewart) and is useful as a mushroom fruiting chamber. If you have any interest in medicinal mushrooms or growing oysters or … Things more cosmic, it would be useful.
I sprout seeds indoors and transition them to pots in the greenhouse until they’re hardy enough for full sun in the ground.
I also keep all my basil in a greenhouse like this and it does very well. It seems to like the heat without the direct sun.
I had one and ended up tossing the outer fabric. The wind shredded it. I used the shelves for miscellaneous stuff in the garage.
I have the small version and I use it for my vinegars, it makes it much harder for flies to enter but they still manage, still it keeps the fly situation under control.
Inside the garage; outfit it with grow lights and use it to start your seedlings. As someone else pointed out. Move it outdoors and use it to harden off your seedlings.
I’ve also used a bigger version of this to grow winter lettuce.
I overwinter my orchids in this bad boy
I use similar one to grow micro greens during the winter and get seedlings started in early spring
Culinary mushroom tent is what I always think when I see one of these.
I have one of these and used it exactly once maybe 12 or 15 years ago. I put a couple trays of seedlings in it and set them out on a sunny but coolish spring day. The cover acted like a magnifying glass and cooked my seedlings. Broccoli and lettuce if I recall. That was the last time for that.
We had one of those. Weighted down the bottom and left it in a sunny place in the early spring. Had some good tomato and pepper starts before it was time to plant.
They’re cheap as shit though and it only last 2 seasons.
Nice seed starter
Might be useful for growing mushrooms?
I have been using as my onion curing rack
As others have mentioned, I use one for starting seeds in my basement. Between the lights, a seed warming mat, and Mylar around the back and sides mine can get up to 85 degrees while my basement is in the 60s.
It’s called a martha tent and it’s useful for growing mushrooms!
With heat mat , sprouting sweet potatoes. Seed starting
Ive seen seeds and clones mentioned so let me offer another option. Mushrooms.
These are great at keeping the humidity high which is great for mushroom grow bags.
Mushrooms
I have considered getting one of these for *inside* my unheated greenhouse. I’d leave it open during the day and then zip it up at night with peppers or eggplants inside.
That way I could bring peppers or eggplants which really don’t like the cold nights out when the night temperatures were above freezing but not yet warm. It would mean I could get them used to full Sunshine before the sun intensity was really strong.
Of course it is. I got something almost exactly like this off of Amazon and added a grow light set up with pulleys for seed starting indoors and ended up with tons of seedlings that are now full grown plants outside in my garden. Edit to add that mine was in my basement- not outdoors. I used heat mats also if needed and a small fan. Then gradually hardened the seedlings off. Any time I would zip up the side zippers on the greenhouse and come back the next morning to open it up, I would get a crazy wave of heat and humidity, I was super surprised
Looks like the setup my brother used for growing microgreens… Just install some lights and fans
Did you just get this from my trash 😆 it holds potted plants well, seedlings, it’s uv protection from the sun
Grow some mushrooms!
Yup, I have a couple of these. I use them to transition my seedlings from inside to outside, and sometimes overnights if it’s a bit chilly.
I use them for seed starting ( have lights and a fan), mushroom growing ( humidifier and a fan) or keeping plants indoors in winter.