Whether you want to grow veggies all year or simply wish to try growing a few plants that require different conditions than your backyard garden, a greenhouse is an excellent choice for more experienced gardeners. Here are some important facts about greenhouses.
What Is a Greenhouse?
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A greenhouse is a structure with transparent sides and a roof that allows sunlight in, allowing gardeners to cultivate plants inside a controlled setting. Greenhouses may have any number of additions—including sun lamps, heat pads, ventilation fans, and water misters—to keep the plants happy. A cold frame attached greenhouse, and the freestanding greenhouse is all examples of hobby greenhouses.
Plastic for a greenhouse is an ideal choice. The transparency of plastic allows more light to enter the space, and the material is resistant to environmental stressors like dampness and extreme temperature changes.
How to Build Your Greenhouse
Ready to create your greenhouse? Here is some horticultural advice to keep your plants healthy and happy:
1- Consider purchasing a greenhouse kit.
If you’re not sure whether or not a greenhouse is right for you and aren’t particularly handy with a hammer and nails, consider buying one. Everything from supports to plastic sheeting will be included in the kit, allowing you to get started immediately. The kit will provide everything you’ll need—from supports to plastic sheeting—to get you started.
2- Set up a thermostat.
A greenhouse’s temperature must be controlled, and you don’t want it to be too hot or too cold; temperatures in the low to mid-80s are ideal for most plants. Set up a thermostat so you can keep an eye on the temperature and make adjustments if things go too far out of range.
3- Another thing to consider is airflow.
While a wet atmosphere may be beneficial for certain plants, too much moisture can cause problems for those that are susceptible to fungus diseases or mildew. In addition to keeping the refrigerator cool, circulation helps to prevent chill spots during the winter. For seasoned gardeners, a ventilation system (with roof vents or a ventilation unit) is ideal, but at the very least, consider setting up a few rotating fans (on a low setting) to keep plants well-ventilated with air.
4- Keep an eye out for pests.
While greenhouses may appear to keep insect pests away from your plants, the warm, humid environment of the greenhouse might be a perfect breeding ground for infestation after they get inside. When you’re growing in a greenhouse, keep an eye out for any signs of pests. Remove the infected greenhouse plants or bring in predators (like ladybugs and lacewings) to limit the infestation’s spread when you find pests.
5- Keep a greenhouse diary.
If you want to cultivate in your greenhouses for many years, it’s a good idea to start keeping notes right away so you can recall what worked and what didn’t. What kind of potting soil are you utilizing? How much fertilizer do you use? What irrigation regimen works best for the tomatoes? Keeping track of your garden’s progress can help you improve your abilities and have the most beautiful garden possible.
