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My favorite greenhouse - featuring IKEA’s Milsbo wide

  • Writer: Ashley Moss
    Ashley Moss
  • Mar 25, 2023
  • 4 min read




I was lucky enough to score this second hand Milsbo from a local in my mutual Facebook plant group. The gromet and hole were already assembled in the middle bottom of the Milsbo. From other IKEA greenhouse builds I have done I can tell you it's not an easy task. I have shared some tips and items my husband and I used to achieve a hole for chords.


I have had my Milsbo wide for a year now and I absolutely love it! It has made my home office feel relaxing and it is so nice to see my plants thriving all because of my hard work.


**Note, for the tall, make sure to mark and clear the corner before you start drilling, otherwise, you’ll drill into where the frame screws into the legs.


Tools used:

Milwaukee Hole Dozer Hole Saw 2 1/8"


2" grommet black:

2 Inch (50mm) Flexible Desk Grommets Wire Cord Hole Cover Cable Organizer for Desktop Equipment Wiring Management and Protection https://a.co/d/8Mft7PC


2" grommet white:

2" White Desk Grommet (5 Pack) (White) https://a.co/d/aymsTVa


**Wear protective eyewear and gloves so the metal shards don’t hurt you. I personally suggest having another person to help but I'm certain it can be done by one brave individual.


**Note, drill hole before you put in the glass, its less stressful and more maneuvering space. However it is doable after everything is installed, you will just need to be cautious and drill slower to prevent damaging the glass.


Steps:

  1. I made an X with blue painters tape on the bottom piece of the Milsbo where I wanted the hole. This way the hole saw has something to grip and prevent superfical scratching if it wiggles too much.

  2. It helps to place the Milsbo bottom on two pieces of wood or have it elevated by something when you are drilling. This is when a second person is helpful as they can stabalize the bottom piece while you're drilling.

  3. I also used a small amount of olive oil to prevent the hole saw from getting too hot.

  4. Start drilling, it took about 15 minutes with a battery powered drill. If you have an electric powered drill it will go much faster and punch right through.

Lighting:

I used four Barrina T5 2ft in yellow

Barrina T5 Grow Lights, Full Spectrum, 2ft 40W (4 x 10W, 250W Equivalent), LED Grow Light Bulbs, Plant Lights for Indoor Plants, Greenhouse, Plug and Play, 4-Pack https://a.co/d/fkkUZ8Y


PS: I only use 2 of the T5 lights in my Milsbo wide.


I followed Jim Seiler's guide for mounting the lights at the top of my cabinet.

This tutorial can be found in the Facebook IKEA Greenhouse group:


Supplies for mounting the lights:

*You can find more info about this in my Rudsta tall blog post.



Weatherstripping white:

Limited-time deal: fowong White Weather Stripping 49.5 Feet, 1/4 Inch Wide X 1/8 Inch Thick, Window Seal High Density Foam Sealing Strip Adhesive Foam Gasket Tape for Door Insulation, 16.5 Ft x 3 Rolls Each https://a.co/d/g019ijs


Weatherstripping black:

2 Rolls Weather Stripping,1/4 Inch Wide X 1/8 Inch Thick Foam Seal Tape High Density Foam Strip Self Adhesive,Closed Cell Foam Tape Seal Strip,16 Feet Long Each https://a.co/d/5jMKWCH


Fans:

ANEXT, 120mm USB Fan, 120mm Fan, Silent Fan for Receiver DVR Playstation Xbox Computer Cabinet Cooling, 2 Packs(White,1x Dual)) https://a.co/d/hp4N2bu

  • I used magnets in each of the 4 corners of the fan applied with superglue. They mounted to the top on the inside of the Milsbo wide with ease.

  • Magnets: Strong Neodymium Disc Magnets Stronger Than N35 Rare Earth Magnets - 1.26 inch x 0.08 inch, Pack of 24 https://a.co/d/2WIcr0d

  • I removed the guard on the face of the fans since I knew they would eventually rust.


Thermometer & Hygrometer:

Antonki Room Thermometer Indoor Hygrometer, Humidity Gauge, Humidity Meter, Digital Temperature and Humidity Monitors for Home, Baby Room, Terrarium, Incubator, Greenhouse - 2 Pack https://a.co/d/5ajFQGt


I have a vintage tray from my amazing mom that I use for leca. The humidity stays between 75%-80% with no humidifier and the top/bottom unsealed.

PS: I did use a super cute cloud humidifier but found it was actually too much humidity, it has been happily relocated to my bedroom.


Cloud humidifier:


Cable Management supplies:

I ran my chords down the center of my Milsbo wide (since I have the hole in the middle) and used cable clips for the chords.


Cable clips:

OHill Cable Clips, 16 Pack White Adhesive Cord Holders, Ideal Cable Management Cord Organizer Cable Organizer for Organizing Cable Wires-Home, Office, Car, Desk Nightstand https://a.co/d/bXY9R4q


Smart power strip:


Cable management box:


Additional cable clips:

*I use them to tidy the chords daisy chaning the Barinna T5 lights on the top of my Milsbo. I also used them to tidy my fan chords.

Command Outdoor Light Clips, Damage Free Hanging Outdoor Light Clips with Adhesive Strips, No Tools Wall Clips for Hanging Outdoor Lights and Cables, 20 Clear Clips and 24 Command Strips https://a.co/d/agqA8z


I hope you enjoy and please feel free to reach out to me with any question via my blog or Instagram! 🤍

 
 
 

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