I don't have much room indoors for seedlings after they get larger than the starting trays but its not warm enough for tomatoes outside. Do these shelves get enough sun in the back? Do they get warm enough to keep tomatoes outside in April by lake Ontario? Based on my last frost date I was thinking I'd start them second week of March for a last frost may 5th ish. I don't want to buy and power enough lights to keep them all happy.
by Vast-Combination4046
18 Comments
I have one, I wish the shelves were adjustable. I only paid $30 for it so for the price its fine but I wouldn’t spend any more on it, its very limiting
This is great for starting seedlings and boosting houseplants. I would not put it outside. A gust of wind will blow it over.
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I have 2 of these, but only use them indoors as light shelving. Lowe’s had them on clearance for $5 each…
I have one. I use it inside to boost temps a bit (drafty old house) and keep the cat out of it, and then I move it out onto the deck when the days are around 50 or so. When I move it out, I keep my heat mat in there. I put the heat mat on rhe bottom shelf with no plants on it, and the thermostat probe in soil at the highest level. That way if we get a cold stretch of days it won’t get too cold in there, and also never gets too hot
Your issue will be the night time temps.
These won’t hold any heat at night so if it’s freezing outside, your plants will freeze. And it will get super hot during the day unless ventilated. I have a similar one over a raised bed and it’s currently 103*F in there, despite only being 43* out- I just use it to help warm the soil before planting, and then as an emergency cover if needed once things are planted.
I had one I tried using outside, it blew over first of all so I anchored it with metal poles and bolts to the ground, this year I just disassembled it as it was severly warped from the wind, this year I got 2 knee high Cloches hoping my wall can hold off most of the wind with the lower ground clearance it should be okay, so going indoor lights > outside cloches and when they outgrow that just main outside plant.
Silver Lining is I will reuse the shelves as a trelis this year.
I’ve got a similar one. It’s in our bedroom because it gets more sun than any other room in our house (along with the grow lights I’ve got set up). It’s half over our heating vent as well so it warms up nicely when I’ve got the flap closed.
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If you can get it cheap and really keep an eye on temp and humidity. It may protect from light frost at most and may get you outside a week or two early.
I’ve had one for more than five years and I’ve been very happy with it, but I only use it indoors. I don’t feel it’s strong enough for outdoor use and doubt you get sufficient sunlight in a cold climate.
Depends on your climate/zone. I have a larger one and they’re good for me for like 2 months (March to May) in zone 7. They’re either potentially too cold or too hot outside that.
Yes! I have 3 or 4 of them and that’s how I harden off seedlings. BUT – and this is important – if you put them in sun there’s a chance you will COOK your plants. Heat builds fast in there. And wind takes them like a sail. I strap mine to my house, literally. On the north side of my house so that they’re protected from. direct sun.
The cheap Amazon ones are flimsy AF, does not stand up to the elements at all. If you get one, make sure it’s sturdy and has decent reviews.
I have one it’s in the garage. It’s too windy here to be any use outside. I wish I had bought the bigger one now.
I use one inside for seed starting. Easy to add grow lights to, keeps moisture in. It was super cheap at a discount store, so worth it imo, but I don’t think it would be that useful outside.
Yes! I paid 35 dollars for mine on Amazon and I love them! It’s easy to attach grow lights to and easy to assemble. It’s worth it. Mine is indoors but I don’t imagine it would hold up to a windstorm.
No.
I use these for hardening off. I have an expensive indoor grow tent I use first, then this, then plant. I would make sure to weigh it or tie it to protect from wind. The seedlings in the back get sun (somehow; I had the same worry as you). Be warned that these get HOT, though. It’s 60 degrees where I’m at today and it was noticably toasty, making my broccoli wilt a bit. Letting it air out is helpful.
I have a similar setup and it’s amazing. My patio room gets chilly in winter and the plastic enclosure allows me to keep it warm and toasty for the plants. With the grow lights it’s runs close to 90⁰ inside the tent even if it’s 50-60 on my patio. The tomatoes and peppers absolutely love it.