Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

lisaphoto 3/11/2011, 1:44 pm

I just bought a mini greenhouse from Big Lots that looks similar to this photo, but also includes two solar powered LED spotlights
Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this? Shelf10

Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this? Shelf10

Has anyone ever used something like this before?
Did it work, or just a waste of money?
How much sooner can I use it than regular set out dates?
For example, I have a bunch of lettuce and other cool weather crops that I have started, but they are getting leggy in my kitchen window. Could I put these out in this and them be protected. My Last frost date is around May 1st.
Would it be better to set this over the ground, or on my deck?
Will the LED lights help keep it warm overnight, or do you think they are just for decoration?

Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to waste $30, so I am waiting to hear opionions before I set it up.

lisaphoto 3/11/2011, 1:47 pm

Also, if it's not good outdoors yet, would it be stupid to use it indoors in front of a large south facing window?

Patty from Yorktown 3/11/2011, 1:52 pm

Hi,
My gardening neighbor has a mini green house similar to yours. She likes it. She uses to harden off plants. I think that LED lights do not produce much if any heat, so they will not help with a cold night. You could use a different light or just take plants inside on the few nights that are going to cause problems. I bet the mini green house will help your natural light situation. Good luck. I hope you enjoy your new purchase. I looked at those as well.

Patty in Yorktown

**Furbalsmom** 3/11/2011, 1:59 pm

Great buy, just be careful if you have it outside that you secure it to the ground or deck to prevent the wind taking it away or toppling it over. That plastic cover easily turns into a sail.

middlemamma 3/11/2011, 2:05 pm

I have the exact same thing in my kitchen. I have lights hanging for the top 2 shelves and I took a 99 cent Mylar blanket (found in camping section of Wal-Mart) and taped it to the back and sides. It reflects the light from my fluorescents (cant afford LED's yet). It sits in front of a east facing window, but I face it in with the back to the window most days here because its so cloudy out. But on a sunny day the wheels make it so easy to just flip around and let the sun in, and that Mylar really reflects all the light all over on the plants.

I have had less leggy seedlings doing it this way and I have been very happy with it. I don't have mine outside because I live on prairie land and it is always breezy and it just wouldn't survive it. I had it on my enclosed patio, with a heat lamp but in my winter it was just burning up electricity and not staying in the 60's where I needed it to be...so I brought it inside.

Jen

Blackrose 3/11/2011, 2:09 pm

middlemamma wrote:I have the exact same thing in my kitchen. I have lights hanging for the top 2 shelves and I took a 99 cent Mylar blanket (found in camping section of Wal-Mart) and taped it to the back and sides. It reflects the light from my fluorescents (cant afford LED's yet).

Brilliant!!!! That is an amazing idea!

Off to WM I go.....

Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this? 53366

**camprn** 3/11/2011, 2:18 pm

lisaphoto wrote:I just bought a mini greenhouse from Big Lots that looks similar to this photo, but also includes two solar powered LED spotlights

Has anyone ever used something like this before?
Did it work, or just a waste of money?
How much sooner can I use it than regular set out dates?
For example, I have a bunch of lettuce and other cool weather crops that I have started, but they are getting leggy in my kitchen window. Could I put these out in this and them be protected. My Last frost date is around May 1st.
Would it be better to set this over the ground, or on my deck?
Will the LED lights help keep it warm overnight, or do you think they are just for decoration?

Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to waste $30, so I am waiting to hear opionions before I set it up.

If you could post information for the actual product it would help me to develop an answer that isn't pure speculation. How much did the whole thing sell for? Something like this would be ideal for me for starting seeds indoors.

middlemamma 3/11/2011, 2:44 pm

I got mine for $30 on clearance last season...

It's not a flimsy little thing but it isn't really sturdy either. Kinda middle of the road.

The plastic covering fits nice and tight in mine, holds heat when I use the heat lamps pretty well. I keep my house about 65 in the winter and if I use the lamps for a while in the morning I can keep it 78 ish inside this thing for a few hours at least.

Hmmm....what other info would help camp? It's about 2 feet wide, 18 inches deep and 5 1/2 feet tallish...

**camprn** 3/11/2011, 2:46 pm

The maker and model number is what I am looking for,,, Thanks Jennie! Very Happy

lisaphoto 3/11/2011, 2:51 pm

The picture is from Lowes http://www.lowes.com/pd_217498-58329-LS-GH001_0__?productId=3305988&Ntt=greenhouse&Ns=p_product_price|0&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNs%3Dp_product_price|0%26Ntt%3Dgreenhouse

But the one I bought is from Big Lots (they don't have it on their site), and is somewhat different. I'll look at it in a bit and get more details.

lisaphoto 3/11/2011, 3:15 pm

Okay, here are the details:

Backyard Accents Three-tier Greenhouse with Solar Spotlights
-26.5 in W x 11.2 in D x 48.6 in H
-Promotes plant growth beginning early spring and extending into the colder months
- Durable steel frame construction with easy access transparent cover
- Two bright white LED garden spotlights included
- Solar powered spotlights charge in the sun and illuminate at night
- Each light uses one Ni-CD rechargeable battery (included)
- Easy to assemble

Distributed by Big Lots stores (couldn't find it online)
Item # A26B2178CNLHC

While trying to find this item online, I looked through my weekly ad for Big Lots, and saw they have Cedar Raised 4x4 beds for $30! I may have to go check it out!

**camprn** 3/11/2011, 3:34 pm

Well, I couldn't find any online reviews but it sounds sturdy enough. I would be wary of having it outdoors due to winds and rust potential and I would probably not want to move it if it was heavily loaded. Do the wheels have a locking mechanism?
Looks like a good deal! I am not sure what the LED spots are for Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this? 601593

Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this? 601593

.
I saw a plastic model without wheels and lights for $20 @ Ocean State Job Lot. Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this? 27650

Aub 3/11/2011, 4:37 pm

I got one very similar to that at Farm & Fleet for $25. I use fluorescent lights on the first two shelves. It sits in the corner of my dining room. I also have a heating pad in there to germinate my seeds on.

lisaphoto 3/11/2011, 5:55 pm

I don't think this one has wheels. I think I am going to try it inside, near the window, and see if it helps anything. Plus I am running out of room on my window sill. I think the LED lights are just so it looks nice in the dark ???

CindiLou 3/11/2011, 10:52 pm

I have one like this that I use inside in front of a south picture window. It is near a heat vent so it gets warmer inside than the room does so at night I can close it up and not worry when the thermostat is turned down. I love it in the winter for my flowers. I get to see them grow! I start them in my seed germination shelf then move to the little green house.

I bought another one this winter so I don't have to move it back and forth outside for hardening off. I got tired of that lol... I use it to harden off fastened to the railing on my deck so it doesn't blow over. If the shelves are full it isn't to bad but a big wind WILL knock it over!

PeggyC 3/12/2011, 12:30 am

I just bought one like that for $20 from a regional store called Menards a couple weeks ago. I'm very excited to try it. I'm going to use it indoors at first (in 2 weeks but who is counting?), and then move it outside eventually for the hardening off process. I wish we had a Big Lots around here!!!! I miss Big Lots! Mine didn't come with anything but shelves and plastic cover.

Sponsored content

Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?

Re: Mini Greenhouse/ Shelf unit? Ever used this?


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.