Intimidated by the prospect of growing your own vegetable plants from seed? You’re not alone.
As a brand new vegetable gardener last year, I had tried my hand at seed starting – only to watch my delicate seedlings wilt and die within a week.
I was used to keeping houseplants alive, but vegetable gardening was a whole new challenge.
But this spring, I discovered a solution that turned my brown thumb green: the Jiffy greenhouse kit.
The Jiffy greenhouse kit is a compact, easy-to-use mini greenhouse that provides the optimal growing conditions for starting seeds indoors.
Rather than invest in a large, permanent greenhouse structure, this affordable, portable option allowed me to get a jumpstart on the gardening season from the comfort of my own home.
And as it turned out, having that controlled greenhouse environment was exactly what I needed.
Benefits of using a Jiffy greenhouse kit
Back in February, I visited my local garden supply store and decided to invest in the Jiffy greenhouse kit to help me get a jumpstart on growing vegetables from seed this year.
After my disappointing attempts at seed starting the previous spring, I was determined to find a solution that would set me up for success.
A few key benefits stood out during my experience:
Ease of Use: From the moment I unboxed the kit, I was impressed by how straightforward the assembly process was. The instructions were clear and easy to follow, allowing me to have the entire greenhouse structure set up in under 30 minutes.
Durable Construction: Despite its relatively compact size, the Jiffy kit is built to last. The plastic cover and trays felt sturdy and high-quality.
Optimal Growing Conditions: However, the true star of the show was how effectively the greenhouse design created the perfect environment for my seedlings to thrive. The clear plastic cover trapped warmth and humidity, while the vented lid allowed for airflow – exactly what my delicate plants needed to germinate and grow strong.
Features
The kit I selected included 36 of Jiffy’s 50mm expanding peat pellets, which are ideal for vegetable plants like tomatoes that need a larger root system before transplanting. According to the product details, this size pellet can also be used to start a variety of other plants indoors.
In terms of the actual greenhouse structure, the clear plastic cover is UV-resistant to ensure proper light exposure for the seedlings. And the built-in venting system allows you to easily regulate airflow and humidity levels as needed, which was crucial for keeping my plants healthy.
As an added bonus, the kit also came with a sample of SUPERthrive plant vitamin supplement, as well as plant markers to clearly identify each type of seedling I was growing.
Here’s more information about Superthrive (it’s actually controversial, if you are interested…)
Steps to Set Up a Jiffy Greenhouse Kit
When it came time to actually get my Jiffy greenhouse kit set up, I knew I wanted to find the perfect spot in my home to give my seedlings the optimal growing conditions.
After some consideration, I settled on placing the greenhouse on one of the shelves of a bookcase in my living room. This allowed me to position it in a spot that got decent natural light, while also keeping it up off the floor and out of the way.
In a few minutes, I had the entire greenhouse structure put together – the sturdy plastic trays, the vented plastic lid, and the clear humidity dome on top. One tip I picked up was to make sure to set the greenhouse on a level surface, which helped ensure everything stayed properly aligned.
Next, I prepared the peat pellets that came included in the kit. At first, the pellets were flat and compressed, so I added water to the tray. Over the next 10-15 minutes, I watched as the pellets expanded and transformed into nutrient-rich growing cubes.
Next, I got to work planting my seeds. I carefully placed each type of seed into the individual peat pellets, then covered them with the recommended seed starting mix provided in the pellets. To stay organized, I grouped the pellets into visually distinct sections, labeling each area with the plant variety it contained.
To complete the setup, I added a small grow light that I positioned directly above the dome. Even though the bookshelf location got some natural light, I wanted to make absolutely certain my seedlings would have enough brightness to thrive.
When it came to maintaining the greenhouse, I decided to use the included Superthrive plant vitamin supplement rather than misting the interior. I added the Superthrive solution in an empty gallon jug with water, then used that diluted mixture to water the peat pellets whenever the soil started to dry out. This provided the perfect balance of moisture and nutrition for my developing seedlings.
I also kept a close eye on the ventilation, adjusting the lid as needed to regulate airflow. Thanks to these simple care steps, I was able to create the perfect little microclimate for my vegetable seeds to germinate and grow strong.
It was so rewarding to watch my tiny seedlings sprout and reach for the light in the cozy Jiffy greenhouse! I planted the seedlings on March 17 and by March 24, some of them (mostly green beans) were pushing the lid off and had to transplanted to their larger, more permanent homes (grow bags).
Recommendations for Using a Jiffy Greenhouse Kit Effectively
Based on my experience, I have a few key tips to share for getting the most out of the Jiffy greenhouse kit:
Plant Selection
While the greenhouse can accommodate a wide variety of plants, I found the best results by sticking to fast-growing vegetable seeds that thrive in warm, humid conditions. Things like leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers all did exceptionally well in my mini greenhouse.
I would caution against trying to grow plants with very large root systems. The kit is really designed for seedling starting rather than full plant maturation.
Supplemental Lighting
Even though my greenhouse was situated in a spot that got decent natural light, I found the addition of a small grow light to be crucial for healthy, stocky seedling growth. The extra boost of illumination ensured my plants could photosynthesize efficiently and develop strong stems.
For more information about how to avoid thin, leggy seedlings check this out: How to Avoid Leggy Seedlings
Just be sure to position the light close to the dome, but not so close that it generates excessive heat buildup inside the greenhouse.
Consistent Care
Maintaining the ideal temperature, humidity, and soil moisture levels is key to greenhouse success. I made it a point to check on my seedlings daily, watering if things seemed too dry, and adjusting the vented lid as needed.
Conclusion
When I first discovered the Jiffy greenhouse kit, I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical. After all, I’d already tried and failed at seed starting on my own the previous year.
But once I saw how quickly and successfully my vegetable seeds sprouted and grew within this mini greenhouse, I was completely won over.
Quite simply, the Jiffy greenhouse kit made the often-intimidating process of growing from seed feel accessible and achievable. I was able to get a head start on the season, watch my seedlings thrive, and then transplant strong, healthy plants into my outdoor grow bags.
So if you’re new to gardening, or just looking for a reliable and effective way to start seeds indoors, I can’t recommend the Jiffy greenhouse kit highly enough. With just a little bit of consistent care, it transforms the often finicky process of seed starting into an engaging, rewarding experience.
