Late winter is the time of year, we gardeners, begin our long awaited growing season by sowing seeds.

Our growing space indoors have became so much more limited because we have two cats that are always curious and loves jumping on shelvings. As a gardener with a very limited space to seed start indoors, I’m always looking for ideas and constantly thinking of ways to maximize my space.

One of the ways I’ve been expanding my seed starting space is by using storage container greenhouses to house my cold tolerant seedlings like brassicas and alliums. I recommend using storage containers with at least 10 inches height. However, if all you have is the shallow type, you could still use them but you will have to obviously move the seedlings out once they grow out of the space.

I knew I will be disappointed to see all my seedlings scattered all over the place, making a mess in our basement. Thankfully, I have quite a few clear storage totes that could house my brassicas. Soon after they germinate indoors, I transplant them unto individual pots and place them in the miniature tote greenhouse so that I can kick them out of the house as soon as possible.

I reserve my growing space and lights indoors for the frost sensitive plants since they are the ones that can not tolerate the cold weather let alone freezing temperatures. I still recommend babying peppers, tomatoes, okra, among other warm weather vegetables but the good thing is you don’t have to cram everything indoors anymore if you have clear totes or storage containers.

If you happen to over-seed and found out that you really don’t have enough space to keep all of them indoors, this is a good solution.

If you’re thinking of using this idea, I recommend using the clear or transparent kind so that it allows the light to pass through the container. I use these storage bins to keep my brassicas and alliums. These are cold tolerant plants that can do well in the cold. The storage bin or tote acts as a greenhouse or a cold frame that protects little seedlings from the winter elements. It gives them a controlled environment that will allow them to thrive and continue to grow and be ready as a transplant.

Here’s why I like it?

1. It’s really easy to move around. Depending on the weather forecast, I am able to move this around if I feel the need to bring it in a more protected area. I bring mine in my greenhouse for better protection when the temperatures are lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Hardening off is not going to be a big issue. If you’re not familiar with hardening off, it is a process where the seedling are slowly getting acquainted to the full spectrum of the sun. Grow lights have a slightly different spectrum so the seedlings will have adjust to the sun’s light spectrum. You do it by exposing the seedlings to the sun for a short period of time initially and then gradually increasing the time of exposure until the seeds are able to adjust to full sun. This process involves bringing the seedlings in and out of the house until it’s not needed anymore.

The beauty of using the tote miniature greenhouse for seedlings is that have been already exposed to the sunlight. The seedling are less likely going to have a difficult time adjust to the sun.

3. Seedlings are often less lanky. A lanky seedling is an unhealthy seedling. It could because of two factors. First, it could be the lack of light. Second, it could be too much heat from the grow lights. This is especially true for brassicas, which are by nature cold loving plants. Too much heat could trigger the seedlings to grow tall and lanky.

If you use the tote mini greenhouse, you are less likely to have the issue of having lanky seedlings because they are easily exposed to the sun and it’s often colder outside than inside the house. Keep in mind that the seedlings should be cold hardy plants and NOT the frost sensitive plants.

Are there any drawbacks?

Just like any other gardening practices and tricks, there’s always something to look out for or to be very careful about.

1. It could cause the seedlings to die of too much heat of ventilation not provided during the warms winter (or spring) days. You will have to pay attention to the weather so that you can open or close the lid as needed. My rule of thumb is when it get to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, the lid has to be opened. When it’s anything lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit it has to be closed.

2. Seedlings could drown when it rains. This will only be true if the container is left open when it rains. One way to fix that is my making a drainage hole so that water doesn’t collect in the container. If you don’t want to drill any holes, you will have to be on top of opening or closing the lid as needed.

Its’s been so helpful to have this clear container tote greenhouses to help protect my seedlings from the harsh winter weather. It’s the only way I am able to expand my growing space since it’s not available indoors.

Have you tried this method before? Let me know in the comment.