Seed Starting: Miniature Greenhouses

Even though it's the second week of January, don't be surprised to find garden seeds, soil and Jiffy pots on display, right beside the cash register of your nearby big box lumber store. It's hard to resist the idea of planting seeds in winter; it's an appealing pastime and the instant plastic "greenhouses" they had on display are a cheap and easy activity for kids interested in growing plants and gardening.

Young gardeners I know enjoy making these greenhouses themselves by reusing the plastic ware used for take out or fast food.  Sandwich boxes, vegetable trays and other ready to eat foods come in these plastic boxes; most of them have the clear plastic top that lets in the sun, but keeps the moisture inside from evaporating so fast you're afraid to be away for the weekend.

I have some reservations about snagging clean plastic from the recycle bin, these instant germination chambers can almost guarantee that the child-planted-seeds  inside will sprout.  I have often closed these boxes with the familiar snap and said "With a little sunshine you should see new sprouts in about a week," knowing for pretty darn sure they would.

While these germination chambers are a great way for kids to see and experience germinating and sprouting plants, I also use them for seeds that are hard to germinate or germinate slowly, like prairie flowers or herb seeds.  If I have a germination failure, at least I know I didn't let the seeds dry out.

Gardeners that grow a lot of transplants won't use plastic covers for germination because they know molds and fungi also like to grow in the warm, moist conditions. One common mold, called "damping off", can ruin an entire planting in less than a week.  Recycled yogurt cups, cottage cheese containers or egg cartons meet the needs of these thrifty gardeners.

Despite the early displays of seeds, soils and pots sprouting up in stores, it is about a month too early to plant garden seeds.  But this is the time to get your pots, containers and cartons cleaned and ready* for the upcoming garden season.


*All pots and containers used for plants should be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed with vinegar or diluted household bleach.  They should also have at least one drainage hole to prevent puddling or over watering.