I'm considering buying a lightweight inexpensive PVC greenhouse from that Amazing online store, primarily for starting seeds. I don't plan on keeping plants in it year round. Sounds like construction is doable, shelves are iffy so maybe reinforce. Strong winds are problematic for the greenhouse but would not be an issue here. I just really need to get all my seed trays out of the front room & this seems like a good idea for next year.

I've read all the online reviews & wondered if you good folks have any input.

What you want is a cold frame, a box with a lid. You can easily DIY it. I've built more than one out of PVC pipe and clear tarps. I even got clever and built a lid with a "hinge." I don't have any of them to take a photo of. Right now, I'm building another out of metal conduit and parts from a company called "makerpipe." The outer cover will be heavy plastic tarp cut and glued to fit. I'm hoping it will be more durable.

If you aren't into DIY projects, Google "cold frame kits."

Thanks Lucy. Now I'm down the rabbit hole of alternatives.

May I ask why you prefer this system? For the same price these kits appear much smaller. Since I won't be needing this till next season (thinking ahead) I will research the DIY suggestions & see if I feel comfortable biting that off. Again, thanks for your response.

One major problem... Is the one you are looking at green? Plants are green because that is the color they reflect most so use the least of. You want a clear covering.

Read the reviews including the 1 and 2 star reviews.

Lucy68 said: What you want is a cold frame, a box with a lid. You can easily DIY it. I've built more than one out of PVC pipe and clear tarps. I even got clever and built a lid with a "hinge."

Totally what I would say….

brauneyz said:
May I ask why you prefer this system? For the same price these kits appear much smaller

Can be very cheap, and very temporary. Easy to store for next year. Add a light bulb and it's a hot frame for colder nights. VENT IT EVERY MORNING!

brauneyz said:I will research the DIY suggestions & see if I feel comfortable biting that off.

You might be missing how simple this can be!
Four cinderblocks, two 2x4's and some plastic drop cloth to cover it is the easiest! VENT IT EVERY MORNING! (Did I already say that?)
I once used the crib railing side of a discarded crib, propped horizontally on four cinder blocks and covered in plastic.

Here's some links to DIY coldframes and the strategy for using them from university extension sources:

Building and Using Hotbeds and Cold Frames

All About Cold Frames

Building a Coldframe or Hot Bed

Last winter I built a cinderblock, old wire shelving structure, covered it with a clear tarp and put a string of old fashioned incandescent Christmas lights in it.

Thanks again. I am leaning toward this idea with leftover bricks that I have & plastic sheeting. Perhaps an old window from construction re-do around here.

Anything to get the pots off my sunny windowsills, which in SoCal is a lot!