Mini greenhouses

1. Fill each container to about ¾ with soil. Most potting soils purchased in bags are moist enough and won’t need to be watered. If it feels dry, pour a bit of water on it and mix it until moist.
2. Lightly pack down the container’s contents.
3. Follow the sowing instructions on the seed packets. Ensure seeds are evenly spread out throughout the container. Cover the seeds with soil and close the lid.
4. Place the container in a sunny location. Wait and watch!

1. Over time, water droplets will form under the lid due to evaporation. The water will drip back down onto the soil, keeping it moist. The greenhouse is self-watering, no need to add water as long as the lid is on.
2. Remove the lid when most of the seedlings have sprouted and reached the top of the mini greenhouse
3. Once the lid is removed, water will evaporate quickly. Water the seedlings when the first 2-3 centimeters of soil have dried up completely. Do not add too much water or the roots will rot.
4. You can also poke holes under the greenhouse container to drain excess water. If you do so, place the lid under the container to catch the dripping water.

You need to harden off the seedling before transplanting them outside to your garden or patio containers. So far, the seedlings have been sheltered from the elements in your house or apartment. To harden them off, you must expose them slowly to the sun, wind and rain.  Hardening off plants doesn’t take a long time, but it is important to do it right.

1. Choose a good spot: Your seedlings will need some protection from the sun and wind on their first days out. Look for a shady spot next to your home, garden shed, or even under a picnic table or a tree.
2. Start slowly: On the first day, move your seedlings to the hardening off spot for an hour or two, then move them back indoors. Bring the seedlings out in the early morning or mid to late afternoon. Avoid midday, when the sun is at its strongest. Make sure the plants are protected from the wind.
3. Increase the time: Each day, leave your seedlings outside for an hour more than the previous day. Give them more and more direct sunlight. After the third day, move the seedlings to a less sheltered spot.
4. Leave your seedlings out overnight: Once your seedlings have spent several days in the sun, you can leave them outside after sunset. Leave them outside longer and longer, until they have spent the entire night out.
5. Watch out for bad weather. At any given time during the hardening off, if the weather gets too cold or windy, bring your seedlings inside.
6. Do not overwater the seedlings when hardening them off. Let the soil dry up between waterings.