I realize this post is coming to you guys late. However, these DIY mini-greenhouses and terrariums are completely FREE to make. And perfect for growing in early spring or later for Winter sowing!
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Every year I look forward to growing a garden in the Spring and Summer. While it’s a lot of work, planting, pulling weeds and waiting (im)patiently. It’s totally worth it when it’s finally harvesting time and you’ve got bundles of homegrown produce you grew yourself.
Unfortunately I live in an area that has a really short growing season. Although the last frost date has passed there have been times where I’ve planted my seeds only to have a two day snow storm hit the very next day.
Last year, folks.
This year I thought I’d try to start my seeds indoors to get a head start.
Well I’ll be honest with you guys, that was an epic fail.
I am the worst at watering my garden, to begin with. So I should have expected that I’d start my seeds indoors, only to forget about them and neglect to water.
But I didn’t anticipate it, and it did happen.
Needless to say, those seeds didn’t grow.
However, I had started them earlier then I probably should have. I still had tons of seeds I hadn’t tried to start that I could plant and still be early.
I wanted to come up with a low cost, low labor way of starting my seeds early. While also anticipating my inevitable neglect.
A greenhouse was an obvious choice.
Greenhouses allow you to winter sow seeds so you can grow in the winter even when it’s snowing outside.
They also retain moisture much better. So you don’t have to water nearly as often and they germinate seeds much faster.
However, Greenhouses can be expensive, and they’re big.
I really needed a greenhouse/ terrarium big enough to start my seeds but not large like a whole house. Especially since we’re currently living in a rental and would have to later move everything.
The next best option would be a hoop house which I did end up making later on. I’ll be sharing those build plans with you guys soon as well.
Until I was able to make a trip to The Home Depot for supplies I needed a solution that would allow me to start my seeds immediately.
That’s when I remembered something from my childhood.
Back when I was little my mom used to work for Gaiam, an environmental company. On “Take Your Kid to Work Day” they put together this fun workshop for all the kids. Where we learned how to make homemade lip balm using organic herbs and other fun things. Including mini terrariums made from empty plastic containers!
That’s when I realized I could do this same thing to start my seeds.
Benefits of Using a Greenhouse or Terrarium to Start Seeds
This idea of upcycling old plastic containers into mini-greenhouses/terrariums is a method used in winter sowing.
Winter sowing allows you to grow things even in the dead of winter under several feet of snow. I figured it would work perfectly for my needs even in Spring.
Luckily, I happen to recycle all of our plastics and other containers. I hadn’t made a trip to the center in a while, so I had a ton of containers I could use.
It ended up working great!
Some vegetables are better at container growing than others. After the first couple of days of planting in the containers and leaving outside, I checked for progress. There were already seedlings peeking through some of the DIY mini greenhouses!
If you’re in an area that has a short growing season and you’re looking for ways to save money, and get a head start on your seeds this is a fantastic option.
The other great benefit to this method is it keeps critters and animals from getting to your seeds.
This was a HUGE problem for me last year.
Being on a farm we have dogs and cats roaming all over. Last year I was constantly struggling with keeping the farm cats from using my garden as a litter box.
For no money at all you can solve all these problems and make a mini greenhouse/ terrariums from any plastic container or bottles
How to Make a Mini Greenhouse or Terrarium from Upcycled Plastic
Alright so to make these there’s just a couple of tools that you’ll need. A good sized plastic container like a milk jug, togo container, or applesauce container.
A little tip: I noticed that the thicker and more durable the plastic the better the seeds tend to germinate. Ideally, you’ll also want to use something with a lid. The thicker plastic containers also retained the moisture much better. I noticed my soil was drying out much quicker in the containers with thinner plastic. Which kind of defeats the whole purpose.
Be sure to clean out your empty container really well and try your best to remove old labeling.
You’ll need a tool to cut through your plastic. A box cutter worked the best. I also tried a jigsaw, which worked but it was loud and made the cuts uneven.
Scissors didn’t really work for me.
Next, you’ll also need tape, a drill and a drill bit, the drill bit I used was a 3/16”.
Instructions
- First use your drill and drill bit to make multiple holes on the bottom of your plastic container. This allows your soil to drain properly when watering so you’re not drowning your seedlings.
- Next, you’re going to cut around your container just below the halfway mark. You’ll want to have enough of a bottom half to put your seed starting soil into.
- Allowing room for your seedlings to grow and have healthy roots before you’re ready to transplant into your garden beds. You also want to have a good amount of space available in the top half. To account for when your seedlings grow upward.
At this point you’re almost done. At least with the hard part.
Now you just need to add your seed starting soil, and sow your seeds in the container. Water the soil really well the first time.
After a nice watering you’re going to duct tape your greenhouses/terrariums shut. Then place it outside in a nice sunny spot.
I was pleasantly surprised how well these worked especially considering they cost me absolutely nothing to make!
I mean just look at that condensation!!
The two photos above were taken just yesterday. The seedlings have almost outgrown their containers and I think it’s about time I transplant them into the garden beds.
Note: You’ll want to leave the lid on your mini greenhouse at least until you start to see your seedlings poking through the soil. Then you can remove it.
If the container you used has a larger opening I’d recommend later drilling holes on the top. Instead of leaving it completely open.
Remember the whole point is to retain heat and moisture that’s how greenhouses work.
Be sure to label your containers well so you can identify what is growing easily. And check your containers everyday or every other day to make sure the soil is moist enough.
You won’t have to water nearly as often but you’ll still have to water.
When you’re ready to transplant you can easily remove the tape and replant. Ta Da!!
Like I mentioned earlier, this method is usually used for winter sowing.
However, these work great for seed starting early in the spring before the last frost date has passed.
I’ll probably test it out this winter as well, to see how well it holds up in harsher, colder conditions.
I have since made a couple hoop houses to replace the containers. Loving them and amazed by how well they work.
I’ll be sharing the plans on how to make DIY hoop houses later this week. As well but they do require purchasing some materials.
These DIY mini greenhouses and terrariums are a great FREE option, if you’re on a tight budget.
If you’re looking for other fun and low-cost garden projects check out my DIY salt dough garden markers I made.
I hope you guys enjoyed this post and found it helpful. If you make your own DIY mini greenhouses I’d love to know how they turned out!
You can also connect with me on Instagram and Facebook @heatherpaigeblog, and Twitter @Heather_P_Blog. For more garden-related crafts or inspiration check out my Spring/Summer and gardening boards over on my Pinterest account.
Thanks for stopping by you guys, I hope you found this easy DIY helpful. Let me know how it works for you if you try this method out!!
