Mini Greenhouse Use?

Now that I bought my portable mini greenhouse, what am I actually supposed to do with it? It says I can start seeds 4-6 weeks earlier than 'otherwise,' which I assume means 'than I otherwise could if I was trying to sow directly in the ground' - but I never start flower seeds in the ground anyway.

What I'm HOPING I can do is put newly transplanted seedlings (that I started indoors) in it come about March, because I'm going to run out of room indoors.

Is THAT why I bought this thing even though I live in Alabama? I mean, it does look kind of cute when people drive up (NATURALLY I put it where people would see it, are you kidding, it cost $70), but I could have bought a pretty nice cement statue for $70...

I use a large greenhouse all year round for various plants, some are tropical so I enjoy them because I can give them the right growing conditions, I use it to protect more tender plants that wont withstand my winter weather as it gets too cold and windy, the wind causes the foliage and buds to burn, but the most pleasure I get is like you, to start and grow my own seeds. When it says you can grow your plants so many weeks before the normal times, you need to look at your seed packets etc to see when they recommend starting your seeds off, so if it says for outdoor planting start seeds off in say March, in your greenhouse, (without heating it) you can start your seeds off Jan-Feb, but as I dont know your zone temps, if like me it is still quite cold, dont have your soil too wet, as the seeds wont germinate in cold wet soil. place your greenhouse where it gets plenty sun and light as your seeds need good light when the do germinate and the sun helps warm up the temp inside, you also need to ventilate your greenhouse or you will end up with lots of condensation and this can lead to fungus growing in the pots/ soil and you will lose so many plants, in cold weather I open my windows and door for at least an hour each day unless the sun is out, this helps change the stagnant air, for watering your seeds, always try to leave you water can inside full of water, so that the water temp reaches the same as inside temp for the soil.
As you already have some seeds/plants ready to move on into your greenhouse, make some shelves to raise the seed pot/trays off the cold ground and you can transfer all your seedlings into greenhouse, every few days I turn my pots round to evenly get the light till they are more sturdy, they can become tall and flop over if they are trying to reach up for light. if you are in a really cold area, you can run a light bulb inside the greenhouse and being a small house, this light bulb should give off enough heat to prevent freezing.
There are lots of books on the subject of greenhouse growing and if you find one with easy to follow hints and tips, you will be able to understand how it all works, deceases, trouble shooting etc, etc and it will give you many years of pleasure to come, good luck. WeeNel.

Thank you!

There are lots of good ideas over on this forum

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/greenhouse/all/

Jerry

Ah, Jerry, thank you...as a new member I have not yet learned how to navigate around this place. I see that your hyperlink is the more appropriate venue. Thanks again.

Debi