Now that April’s here, it’s time to start thinking about gardening again.  If you’re growing anything from seedlings, you’re going to want to keep things warm in case the frost hits.

While you could spend a great deal of money on a mini-greenhouse kit, you’d be surprised how easy it is to make one from home from materials you already have!

The easiest and most common way to build a mini-greenhouse is with empty plastic bottles.  Simply peel the label off and cut into a shape that fits over the plant (we like to use the cap-end, so that you can vent the air on particularly sunny days).  Cold beverage cups from coffee shops can work equally as well, and sometimes better if you need a longer, more horizontal area.

If your plants are already a bit bigger, then you’re going to have a hard time finding a large enough Soda Bottle (don’t go rummaging around Costco trying to prove us wrong!).  Cellophane to the rescue!  Four ground-stakes at equal heights wrapped in cellophane will create the perfect greenhouse square.  Finally, wrap the cellophane over the top and watch nature take its course!  Oh, and did we mention that cellophane is eco-friendly?  It’s made from plant materials (regenerated cellulose) and is 100% biodegradable.

Before shelling out the big bucks next time you think about raising a seedling of your own, consider what’s around you and how you can UpCycle it!