While the term “mini greenhouse,” for some may conjure up the picture of a shoebox-sized piece of plastic with room enough for one or two sprouts of basil, the actual definition is simply a greenhouse that is smaller than a commercial-sized unit. This could be anywhere from a simple greenhouse that holds a couple racks of starter seedlings to a standing-room unit, dozens of racks high.

The biggest advantage for a greenhouse is to be able to plant seeds while it is still cold so that the sprouting plants can be planted in the soil come spring. There is an ongoing debate over whether or not mini greenhouses are worth having over a traditional commercial greenhouse. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the mini greenhouse.

Pros of the Mini Greenhouse:
• Since a mini greenhouse is a smaller size than a commercial unit (commercial units range 200+ sq ft) one person can maintain it. The average home gardener does not want to hire someone to help with greenhouse upkeep so the smaller size comes in handy.
• A small back yard or a balcony is no place for a full sized greenhouse, but a mini greenhouse would fit perfectly in the little space. The compact size allows for convenient placement wherever there is space, or, in this case, lack there of.
• Avid hobby gardeners know that having a greenhouse is a huge benefit, especially during the cooler months. Instead of spending all of their money on a full sized greenhouse, which will have unused space, a mini greenhouse can be purchased or built for considerably less.

Cons of the Mini Greenhouse:
• The biggest con of a mini greenhouse vs a commercial greenhouse is lack of space. You don’t have as much space to move around while working in a mini greenhouse and if want to expand your greenhouse operation, you have to buy another mini greenhouse.

Even though having all the growing space of a commercial greenhouse would be wonderful, many gardeners still opt for the mini greenhouses for two reasons; space limitations and cost of upkeep. While many people would like to have a commercial greenhouse it is just not practical when a smaller one will provide the same effects at a more reasonable price and a more manageable operation.