An Indoor Greenhouse is a Year-Round Garden

Do you love to garden but your living arrangements just aren't suited to it? Why not consider an indoor greenhouse. If you live in a condo or apartment, it's easy to see the attractions of an indoor greenhouse. But even gardeners with yards can find uses for an indoor greenhouse.

The main advantage is cost. Even a simple lean-to greenhouse shed is more costly to build than a small indoor unit. It's not that difficult to build a greenhouse in your own home with supplies that are readily available at any home improvement outlet.

Perhaps you like the idea of an indoor greenhouse, but really don't want to go to the trouble of building it yourself. Fortunately for you, it's possible to purchase indoor greenhouse kits. You can get these in various styles and brand names. You can get them at a department store, a garden center, or an online retailer.

Indoor greenhouse kits range from a tiny herb garden that you can keep on your countertop to a kit capable of turning your basement's shelving unit into a hothouse.

If you don't find this idea suitable, you can build your own greenhouse on the cheap. You’ll need to start by constructing a freestanding shelving unit of up to four shelves. The unit will need to be fixed firmly to the ground.

Next, there needs to be a way to retain the moisture and heat that you have provided. This can be accomplished by using sheets of plastic or an old shower curtain to cover the shelves, and sealing them with duct tape. You can heat your greenhouse by buying a heating pad and laying it on the floor. Set up a thermometer and check it frequently to monitor the temperature.

You can give your plants a humid environment by placing a cup of water in the greenhouse. For their lighting needs, you can use a basic fluorescent lamp. Really, though, you're better off using a grow light that is especially designed for the greenhouse. A basic unit is relatively inexpensive.

Next you need some soil-filled containers to set your plants in. Set them on the shelving unit and give them a drink of water. Now can step back and admire the results of your labor in creating a homemade indoor greenhouse.

These are general guidelines, and you can add to them with your own ideas and preferences. By doing so, there's no doubt you can buy or build an indoor greenhouse that will suit your needs perfectly.