Ok need some expert advice here ...

[motdaugrnds]

I am wanting to set some kind of a structure up that will make it easier on me to grow tiny seedlings. At this time, I have some seeds being stratefied in the fridge. In about 2 weeks I will need to take them out (one package will need to be placed in a dark area for sprouting, so the package states; all others simply need to be set in a warm area out of direct sunlight). Then they will germinate at different rates. Then I will need to find a way to get them into the soil outdoors. (Some I may need to "harden off", which I am still learning about.) I want to build this structure myself.

We already have the foundation for a "processing shed" next to the garden (also next to the slaughtering pen), which we are structuring for the goats and chickens we prepare for our freezer. Since this type of processing will be done in late fall, this same structure could well be used for the gardening propogation (Is this the correct word?) mentioned above.

I would appreciate any ideas as to what I would need to build into this shed that would be useful for taking care of seedlings. (OMG I do so hope I have made my needs clear!)

[olivehill]

Where do you live? What are you wanting to start? Is your shed heated? Have a lot of windows and could be heated?

Seedlings need warmth. It doesn't have to be dog days of summer hot, but warm. That's why most people, failing a green or hoop house, start their seedlings in the house.

All you really need is a shelving unit, table or counter top sized to fit your needs depending on how many seeds you plan to start, some lights and whatever soil and containers you want to use.

[motdaugrnds]

Well we live in zone 7 and right now the shed only has a structure waiting for the aluminum siding to go up for a roof. All sides are open for whatever type of bracers I may need; and that will depend on what I want on each wall. I know I want a 3-4 ft high table on one side with a window thru which I can slide bushel baskets of produce onto that table. One side will have a sink with work space on both sides; and one corner will have a stainless steel top where we will be using our meat grinder.

I can see a shelving unit with lights, maybe even a little mini-greenhouse structured on the western side as that wall would get the late evening sunshine. (I can prepare that side of the wall with whatever material would let the sunshine through as needed if that would be wise.) The wall is about 9 ft high; so plenty of shelving space.

At this time I have no idea how many seeds I will be starting. Just trying to understand what type of structure would be useful. I know I will need controlled temperature, moisture and lighting. (Good soil is a given.) We also have electricity already in the barn, which is adjacent to this shed; so it would be a simple matter to extend it.

[Callieslamb]

1. You can purchase one of those small greenhouse things that sit on a deck or back porch. They are completely inclosed with plastic. However, I think they are too flimsy to stand up over time - at least for me.

2. In Zone 7, you could build a shelf yourself and enclose it with plastic or bubble wrap. I did all my plants in an unheated barn when we lived in TN. I put a sheet of foil-sided insulation against the wall behind the shelf and then bubble wrapped the sides with tape. The front was another sheet of the foil-sided insulation that was hooked at one side and taped at the other. I swung it aside to get to the plants. The foil helps reflect the light to the plants. I hooked up 4 ft shop lights and if it got down really cold at night, I put a 40 watt bulb in there and left it on all night. I am not sure if this will work for you in Jan since my shelf was inside an enclosed barn and yours is open to the weather. You might have to do some other protecting with tarps, etc. You can set up your shelf and use a thermometer to see how warm it stays inside there as a test before you set seedlings out.

3. Build a cold frame out of wood and use that corregated plastic sheeting as the glass in it. You can use a light bulb in there to keep it warm at night - or heat mats. I didn't have much luck with heat mats and heat lamps made it too warm. You can surround it with bales of straw in the cold temps.

[motdaugrnds]

Callie, those are some nice ideas.

The shed is open at the moment only because I have not decided how I wanted to close it; so I can actually create the inside anyway I want.

If I use that "foil-sided insulation" you speak of on the wall, I would need to put the side boards on the "inside" of that wall so it will be flat. Since I've never worked with insulation, I'm not sure how to create a door out of it that would not tear up easily; but certainly can experiment and find out.

What was the purpose of the "bubble wrap"? (I have some large sheets of that something came in many years ago.)

We have 2 long shop lights already that aren't being used. Both are only 2 ft long; but could put them together.

Since the sunshine (evening) will be hitting the wall I'm considering, I am wondering if some type of plexiglass might not be better than some type of insulation there, which would be the back-side of the housing area for the tiny plants...maybe with some way of covering it if too much heat would come thru. (Am wondering now about using "corregated plastic sheeting" as the wall itself. I did this on part of our barn roof and it has lasted well over 8 yrs already. It does require specific types of bracers though; so not sure about having those bracers as the back wall of this little mini "indoor" greenhouse. The cold would certainly come thru it, though, and it would be rather difficult to stack bales of straw 9 ft high.)

Still thinking ......