Start This Year's Garden in a Sunny Patio Greenhouse

As is true for many of us living in the northern climate, finding enough sun and warmth for starting seedlings can be a problem. They simply won't grow in front of a window when the temperature indoors is still chilly, and no sunlight reaches inside.

Another problem with starting seeds indoors is the lack of space. Those seed trays can end up on every available table, and they can be messy.

In 2012 I came across this affordable, patio greenhouse which was advertised online.  With four shelves and a plastic cover, it seemed like the perfect solution to my plant growing problems.   And I liked the fact that it was lightweight and portable.  If it didn't work out, I had little to lose, as it was inexpensive.

This is similar to the greenhouse I purchased from the Amazon site.  This one includes a "fleece cover" for very cold weather, which I didn't get.

Once it arrived, I left it in the box until Spring and then assembled it to use on my small deck.  The bars just all slide into each other and I did it by myself.  I tapped on the ends with a hammer to secure the shelves to the sides.  The plastic is all one piece that sets over the frame.  The "door" zips closed and is held open with a tie once you roll it up.

The plastic covering keeps the inside nice and warm, even on cold days with sun - as any greenhouse would do.  It could be used indoors, but there is no bottom, so be aware that water must be caught somehow.

I placed the mini-greenhouse on the corner of my small deck in the backyard. It was the perfect sunny spot and the plastic kept the inside warm enough in the cold Spring temperatures.

I ended up moving it to the corner near the house, until I got it filled, because strong winds can knock it over. Either attach it somehow to the railing, or move it when storm comes because it can tip over. The plastic catches the wind and without a lot of weight inside, it will make a mess of all your hard work.

As I filled it with plants from the nursery, I kept my heaviest pots at the bottom, with seed trays on top. During the day, I would unload the pots and set them around my deck so all the plants could get plenty of sun.

I've had my patio greenhouse for 4 years now.  I bring it out in Spring and put it on the deck.  It stays outside until I need it in late summer to dry my garlic bulbs.  After that I move it to the basement for the winter months.

Recently I wanted to take it apart and pack it for a move, but I noticed that the plastic at the top along the black bars was ripping as I tried to remove it.  After searching Amazon I found that replacement tops / plastic can be ordered.  I also came across the same greenhouse with a reinforced top.

Perhaps the newer type cover will hold up longer?

I ended up leaving my unit set up, and will either leave it here when I move, or give it away.  Disassembling will only tear the plastic more.

Thanks to the fact that my plants were sheltered for the month or so leading up to planting time, I had a successful vegetable garden, and loads of flowering plants as well, but I wasn't finished using the greenhouse.

I moved it off the deck once everything was planted in the ground, but kept it outside, near the back of the house.  I even used the greenhouse shelves to hang and dry my garlic bulbs. This sheltered spot helped the garlic bulbs to dry, while remaining out of the rain.

The greenhouse can be moved without taking it apart and it's wire shelves make a great place to store empty pots and other items out of season.