The Greenhouse That Is Perfect For A Balcony Or People Without A Yard

When thinking about the greenhouses you have seen in the past, large structures in huge gardens or backyards might come to mind. You may think you have to own a large plot of land to have your own greenhouse, so those living in apartments might not have even considered owning a greenhouse as it could seem a bit impractical. While greenhouse ideas that can transform a backyard are inspiring, there are actually quite a few options that allow even people with limited space to enjoy their very own greenhouse. This compact Yardistry Urban Greenhouse sold by Costco could be a practical option for those without a yard. If you have always dreamed of owning a greenhouse but have never had enough space, this mini greenhouse might make your dream a reality. 

User @Costcontessa took to Instagram to share a video of the greenhouse. "I spotted this mini greenhouse at my Costco this week," she revealed in the clip, which provides a detailed view of the greenhouse's structure and build. "It's adorable. I'd seen the huge beautiful ones on other Instagram accounts but I live in Los Angeles and urban dwellers do not have that much yard space so this was perfect." Her statement on urban living in Los Angeles lays out a perfect example of how this greenhouse would help those with limited space. People in large cities may opt to use this greenhouse on their balconies or in smaller backyards.

The video shared by @Costcontessa also reveals that the structure includes clear panels and wooden shelves. The top panels open up to allow for ventilation so that your plants will be able to get fresh air when needed. Yardistry's website highlights a few more of the greenhouse's key features, such as impressive automatic ventilation. The two top panels mentioned in @Costcontessa's video are actually part of an automatic roof vent opening system that is triggered by heat. 

The automatic ventilation helps with temperature and humidity regulation. Yardistry also boasts that the greenhouse includes double-wall polycarbonate windows. They claim that these windows offer better insulation than single-wall polycarbonate. Environmentally conscious gardeners might be happy to hear that the greenhouse is made from 100% FSC® certified premium lumber obtained from ethically managed forests. 

As mentioned in the clip, the greenhouse was priced at $549.99 in-store at the time. Those interested in purchasing the greenhouse online should know that it is priced at $599.99 on the Costco website at the time of this writing. Although it is up to you to decide whether you would prefer to purchase the greenhouse online or in person, one customer review on the Costco website warns that some pieces arrived broken. They also claimed the parts they received were not pre-drilled, so they ultimately gave up on assembling the greenhouse.

While this mini greenhouse is a great solution for those with a small backyard, or no yard at all, there are a few things you may want to consider before deciding whether it is right for you. First, despite the advantages of growing plants in a greenhouse, these structures require care and maintenance that may be difficult to stay on top of, especially for first-time greenhouse owners. They must be routinely cleaned and monitored so that plants contaminated with disease or pests can be removed and contained quickly.

It is also important to identify the growing stage of the plants you intend to store in the greenhouse. This will help you decide whether you need to opt for a greenhouse with clear or opaque panels. Clear panels are ideal for seeds that are just sprouting because they require more direct sunlight. When these seedlings do not get adequate UV rays, they can bend and fold over in search of more light, giving them a weak, floppy appearance. Opaque panels work well with more mature plants because diffused light deeply penetrates for better photosynthesis and a more balanced shape overall. Costco's mini greenhouse includes ribbed clear panels that may result in slight light diffusion.