Greenhouses are a great addition to any garden. They allow you to grow plant varieties that would not be suitable for outdoor areas and to extend the growing season for other species. But for those who are considering installing a greenhouse in their garden, it may seem daunting to know where to start. Here are some tips to get started.
Heat
On sunny days, your greenhouse warms up nicely as the sun’s rays are refracted through the glass. But you will also need other means of heating for the colder periods. Electric heaters are the easiest to install, but you could also use gas (although this method will require you to vent the greenhouse for fumes. You will also need a way to prevent the temperature from getting too high in the greenhouse. Avoid install air conditioners for cooling, as these dry the air. Passive air intakes or exhaust fans will do the job, or consider building the greenhouse with windows at the ends that can be opened, to allow the air to flow through.
Light
In winter, the amount of light entering the greenhouse is often not enough to support plants, especially if they are young. Installing fluorescent or LED lights above the cultivation beds will help ensure that they have enough light.
water
While the exact amount of water required in your greenhouse will vary depending on the species of plants you are growing and the temperature, as a general rule, growing plants and beds dry faster than beds outside the garden. So give the plants a good soak every time you water. Avoid spraying foliage too much, as this is one way in which disease can spread among plants.
Soil
One of the key components of the success of greenhouse gardening is the soil. Most greenhouse novices start growing in beds or pots (or a combination of the two). Therefore, it is necessary to have a soil that flows out sufficiently to prevent the deforestation of the water, but also retains moisture well so that the water is available for access to the roots of the plants. The soil should ideally be slightly acidic and, above all, contain a lot of organic material. One way to ensure this is to add compost.
manure
Since the soil will not receive organic matter – the rich soil rich in nutrients and bacterial activity – from natural s such as the external soil can, for example from leaf waste, animal excrement, rotting plant material, it is necessary to add a good proportion of compost for your growing beds. Some advice requires that almost a third of the beds are made up of compost. This will give plants the most nutrient-rich growing medium in which to thrive. Whenever possible, choose an organic fertilizer or, even better, start your compost heap using kitchen scraps and plant cuttings from the garden.
by Thomas S Amos
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