homemade greenhouse?

Question

I bought those little pellets of dirt that puff up when you put water on them to grow my herb garden. It came with a little plastic covered greenhouse and I can see in the afternoon that it is really hot in there...the dirt is actually hot to the touch. My questions are:
1. Can it get too hot? They haven't sprouted yet but it's only been just over a week.
2: Can I put something like saran wrap over my other herbs in pots for the next week or two to act like a little greenhouse or will it not work the same?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Until seeds have sprouted, there's no need for light. A good place to sprout seeds is on top of your refrigerator. The temperature there is just about right. As soon as danger of frost is past, put your herbs outside for increasing periods of time each day (this is called "hardening off") and then plant them in a sunny place outside. The little greenhouse you bought with the pellets is a gimmick. It has no useful purpose. You simply can't regulate the temperature well enough in such a small space and yes, you will roast your plants the first time you forget about it and leave it in the sun.

Answer 2

Having never tried using the pellets, I can't say anything about them. But you do want to be a little careful about the saran wrap- though it would indeed make a good makeshift greenhouse: The flip-side is that you could end up cooking your little plants instead of protecting them.

Good luck!

Answer 3

1. Yes
2. No!

Best thing is to take it out of the sun and make sure your plants get enough air. If not, you are going to have a big mess!