Plastic Tote Greenhouses: A Simple and Affordable Way to Start Seeds Early
Introduction
Starting seeds early in the season is a great way to get a head start on your garden. But if you’re short on space or money, you may think you can’t afford to buy a greenhouse. That’s where plastic tote greenhouses come in.
Plastic tote greenhouses are a simple and affordable way to start seeds early. They’re easy to make and can be used to protect seedlings from cold temperatures and pests.
How a Plastic Tote Greenhouse Works
A plastic tote greenhouse is essentially a cold frame. It’s a clear container that traps heat and sunlight, creating a warm environment for seedlings to grow. You can use a plastic tote greenhouse to start seeds early or to protect tender seedlings from cold temperatures.
What You’ll Need
To make a plastic tote greenhouse, you’ll need:
- A clear plastic storage container with a lid
- Seedlings
- Potting mix
How to Make a Plastic Tote Greenhouse
There are two ways to make a plastic tote greenhouse, depending on what kind of lid your container has:
1. If your container has a clear lid:
- Place your seedlings in the plastic tote.
- Put on the lid.
- During the day, when temperatures reach 45 degrees F (7 C), crack the lid to ventilate.
- Push aside the lid to allow air flow and prevent overheating.
- You can also prop open the lid with a short wooden board or stick, but be careful the wind doesn’t blow it away.
2. If your container has an opaque or colored lid:
- Flip over the tote and make the lid the base of your plastic container greenhouse.
- Place your seedlings on the inverted lid.
- Set the tote over top.
- During the day, lift the tote and prop it open with a brick or block of wood, anything that will allow air to flow inside the greenhouse and prevent plants from getting too hot.
Tips for Using Plastic Containers as Mini Greenhouses
Here are a few tips for using plastic containers as mini greenhouses:
- Provide good air flow. Good air flow is key to growing in any kind of greenhouse environment, from large commercial operations to small DIY plastic tub greenhouses. Mold can set in quickly, so check your plants daily for signs of disease. If you do notice mold, remove the affected plants and open your clear plastic tote greenhouse to increase air flow and reduce excessive moisture. Cut back on watering if seedlings are excessively wet.
- Monitor temperatures. Temperature is another important factor in greenhouse gardening. Depending on the sun and outside temperature, your mini greenhouse can get quite warm. Most vegetables don’t like temperatures over 90 F (32 C) and seedlings are more tender than full-grown plants. Place a thermometer inside your plastic tote greenhouse to monitor temperatures. Plants can burn if it gets too hot inside the greenhouse.
- Choose the right location. One of the benefits of a plastic container greenhouse is its portability. Ideally, you should place your greenhouse in a sheltered location with southern or southeastern exposure. But not every garden is blessed with that oh-so-coveted southern sun. Thankfully, it’s easy to move your mini greenhouse to follow the sun throughout the day. When temperatures dip below freezing at night, you can move the whole tote indoors to protect plants from cold damage.
- Keep your greenhouse protected. If possible, keep your plastic tote greenhouse in a sheltered spot to protect it from wind that could blow away the lid or the whole tote. You can also place a brick or small weight on top of your greenhouse to combat this problem.
Conclusion
Plastic tote greenhouses are a great way to start seeds early and protect seedlings from cold temperatures. They’re easy to make and affordable, making them a great option for gardeners of all levels.
