Is a Greenhouse Worth It?

[MamaHawk]

Hi all, a little unheated plastic greenhouse (probably 5x5) showed up on Facebook marketplace for $120, and I can't decide if it would be a good investment or not. Pros and cons? I already seed-start using the plastic-bag-paper-towel method, but a better place for seedlings would be nice...but I also worry they'd just fry. Thoughts?

 

[Mrsclem]

I have a similar greenhouse set up on my deck. Foil insulation under it due to the elevation- 14' up! Small heater and 2 fans. Been using it to start seeds for 5 years.
It needs to be anchored well!

 

[ThatsMyPurseIDontKnowYou]

I'm in 6B

About 8 years ago I built a greenhouse out of PVC pipe and clear plastic.

I don't think it was worth it. It only bought me a couple of extra weeks at the beginning of the season.

I think your money is better spent on a nice 3'x3' grow tent and light so you can start your seedlings inside earlier. I started my peppers on Christmas day for this season.

 

[MamaHawk]

I have a similar greenhouse set up on my deck. Foil insulation under it due to the elevation- 14' up! Small heater and 2 fans. Been using it to start seeds for 5 years.
It needs to be anchored well!

Cool! How early can you start?

 

[MamaHawk]

I'm in 6B

About 8 years ago I built a greenhouse out of PVC pipe and clear plastic.

I don't think it was worth it. It only bought me a couple of extra weeks at the beginning of the season.

I think your money is better spent on a nice 3'x3' grow tent and light so you can start your seedlings inside earlier. I started my peppers on Christmas day for this season.

A grow tent? Hmmm I considered starting something like that in our basement before the space was taken by something else; maybe I’ll take it back!

 

[ThatsMyPurseIDontKnowYou]

A grow tent? Hmmm I considered starting something like that in our basement before the space was taken by something else; maybe I’ll take it back!

Check facebook. Tons of people think they can grow weed and find out its not as easy as they think, and sell all their gear.

 

[ThatsMyPurseIDontKnowYou]

A grow tent? Hmmm I considered starting something like that in our basement before the space was taken by something else; maybe I’ll take it back!

I use a 200 watt viparspectra grow light.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

I suppose it depends on your climate, I start seeds indoors in a propagator, then to the windowsill, then move the small plants on to the greenhouse, but that's not the end of it, I grow my tomatoes, peppers and chilli in there all Summer, and come Autumn all the tender plants in pots get moved in there ready for the winter. If you can grow everything outside during the summer and your winters are not hard enough to freeze pots through though it might not be worth it.
Before I retired I managed for years with home made cold frames, a cheap and simple option.

 

[MamaHawk]

I use a 200 watt viparspectra grow light.

Haha good to know about Marketplace! I figure a grow light will be the most expensive part of the process anyway.

 

[MamaHawk]

I suppose it depends on your climate, I start seeds indoors in a propagator, then to the windowsill, then move the small plants on to the greenhouse, but that's not the end of it, I grow my tomatoes, peppers and chilli in there all Summer, and come Autumn all the tender plants in pots get moved in there ready for the winter. If you can grow everything outside during the summer and your winters are not hard enough to freeze pots through though it might not be worth it.
Before I retired I managed for years with home made cold frames, a cheap and simple option.

Ohio winters are unpredictable, sometimes we're just chilly and soggy, but we had some hard hard freezes this year, so I can't depend on that. I'm interested in cold frames, but again I worry about cooking the plants.

 

[Mrsclem]

Started my seeds 1st week of March. Greenhouse is in full sun 6-8 hours and I'm able to keep temp 65° at night.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Ohio winters are unpredictable, sometimes we're just chilly and soggy, but we had some hard hard freezes this year, so I can't depend on that. I'm interested in cold frames, but again I worry about cooking the plants.

Cooking things can happen in a greenhouse as well if you are not careful, but I used to make my cold frame so the top was one piece, fairly heavy timber so it wouldn't blow away. Then I could lift it with supports on two corners, or all four if it was really hot. Getting it deep enough was always a thing, when you add the height of the plant to the depth of the pot it is easy to find plants come up to touch the plastic, or at least get their growing tip into the hottest inch or two at the top.

 

[GFTL]

I grow seedlings in my basement on a shelf with 4' fluorescent lights. The lights produce all the heat needed for germination and growing the seedlings. After the weather improves I move them to my greenhouse built with 2x4s and plastic. Cheapest way I've found.

 

[gdning8]

I bought a cheap $20 greenhouse from Lidl that seems to work well. No need to spend a ton of money if you aren't starting a ton of plants

 

[Ruderunner]

I'm going to get a couple from Aldi tomorrow. But, I'm starting seeds in our guest shower. Cheap plastic shelves and some lights. It's by far the warmest room in the house and of course water is convenient.