Do you love to garden but your living arrangements just aren’t suited to it? Why not consider an indoor greenhouse. If you live in a condo or apartment, it’s easy to see the attractions of an indoor greenhouse. But even homeowners with large yards are attracted to the idea of an indoor greenhouse.

The main advantage is cost. Even a simple lean-to greenhouse shed is more costly to build than a small indoor unit. It’s not that difficult to build a greenhouse in your own home with supplies that are readily available at any home improvement outlet.

Or maybe you want an indoor greenhouse, but aren’t interested in building one from scratch. Well, you’re in luck, because you can buy an indoor greenhouse kit. You can get these in various styles and brand names. You can get them at a department store, a garden center, or an online retailer.

You can buy indoor greenhouse kits in many different varieties, from a small countertop herb garden to a larger unit that might consume a good portion of your basement.

If this isn’t enough to meet your needs, it’s possible to make a basic homemade greenhouse at very little cost. You’ll need to start by constructing a freestanding shelving unit of up to four shelves. The unit will need to be fixed firmly to the ground.

Once this is done, you need to provide a means of retaining heat and moisture. This can be accomplished by using sheets of plastic or an old shower curtain to cover the shelves, and sealing them with duct tape. You can provide heat by purchasing heating pads and placing them at the bottom of the greenhouse. Make sure you buy a thermometer so you can measure the temperature regularly.

You can give your plants a humid environment by placing a cup of water in the greenhouse. The plants will require light, and you can provide this with a simple fluorescent light. Really, though, you’re better off using a grow light that is especially designed for the greenhouse. A basic unit is relatively inexpensive.

Your next task is to find some containers, fill them with soil and plant your garden. Set them on the shelving unit and give them a drink of water. Now sit back and admire your do-it-yourself greenhouse that does the job just as well as a kit.

Use these suggestions as a guideline, and throw in some imagination and style. You will most certainly end up with an indoor greenhouse that’s perfect for you, whether you buy or build.