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Getting into greenhouse gardening can be challenging at first, but you’ll get the hang of it over time. Complex tasks will become simple, especially if you start off on the right foot. This guide will be your compass to help you achieve that! Here, we’ll provide you with tips, from choosing the right greenhouse to growing methods.
Investing in the Right Greenhouse
When investing in a greenhouse, you’ll want to ensure your hard-earned money won’t be wasted. It helps to familiarise yourself with the types available in the market. Your top options include wooden, polycarbonate, and metal greenhouses.
To get started in this area, read our greenhouse buying guide: How to Choose a Greenhouse.
How to start a greenhouse
Position your greenhouse in the best location
After choosing the ideal greenhouse type for your greens, consider where to put it next. A firm, flat surface is essential to ensure stability and proper drainage. Avoid placing it near standing water, and ensure you have access to all sides for maintenance.
Another thing to keep in mind is the sunlight. Choose a location that receives maximum sun exposure throughout the day. Avoid placing it near walls, fences, trees, or large bushes, as they can cast shadows and block sunlight.
Keep up with the air circulation
Most greenhouses are enclosed, meaning they don’t ventilate completely on their own. This is where the installation of ventilation comes in. Nice air circulation ensures the plants get the right temperature and moisture level. Proper air movement within also creates uniformity in humidity, CO2 and oxygen. Remember, plants respond better to environmental consistency.
For example, the roof vents on this greenhouse can be opened and closed depending on how much you need to allow moisture to escape.
Keep pests away from the greenhouse
Bugs in gardens are inevitable, but there are effective ways to keep them at bay:
- Keep outside foliage away from the greenhouse to minimise pest entry points.
- Set up a bug hotel for beneficial insects, especially pollinators.
- Ensure good ventilation, as above, because many insects thrive in hot, humid conditions where they lay eggs.
Top pests to look out for include aphids, thrips, bloodworms, slugs and snails.
Seed starting
When it comes to growing, you have two options: 1.) growing from seeds, 2.) buying transplants from the store. If you choose transplants, remember that it can be tricky at first, so patience is a must.
Understanding the type of seeds you’re using is crucial. Seeds can be heirloom, organic, hybrid, or GMO, each with different growing requirements. Next is where to grow them based on their needs. Again, you have two options (see #5 and #6). Once you’ve made your choice, you can move the trays into your greenhouse.
Grow seeds in open flat trays
In this method, seeds are planted in neatly spaced rows within open trays. This setup makes watering, fertilising, thinning, and treating diseases easier. Once the seedlings have sprouted, they can be transplanted into pots. Unlike single-cell trays, open flat trays allow you to grow a larger number of seeds in one go.
Or consider in single-cell trays
Alternatively, single-cell trays allow you to plant one or two seeds per cell. This helps retain more moisture and warmth compared to open trays. Although it can be time-consuming, the improved conditions can lead to healthier seedlings.
The watering rules
There’s a basic rule for beginners: understand the water requirements for every plant. You don’t want to end up under or overdoing it – either can spell doom for your plants. Signs of inappropriate watering include the following:
- Irregular drying
- Decreased shoot size
- Poor root growth and low-quality immature plants
Invest in a good drip system with a timer or dip gauge to avoid overwatering. Water newly seeded areas frequently, every couple of days. By late spring, waterless but more deeply, about once a week, to encourage deeper root growth. This practice helps plants become more resilient and better able to access nutrients.
Rely on a thermometer
No beginner greenhouse garden should be without a thermometer. This tool helps you monitor temperature changes, informing you when to ventilate, shade, heat, or cool your greenhouse. It provides a picture of your plant’s growing conditions and what adjustments are needed.
Greater control over your plants’ environment leads to better results. To get started, a standard thermometer will do the job. For more detailed data, consider getting hygrometers or humidity meters.
Equip your greenhouse with a lighting system
Most plants need light to photosynthesise and flourish. In summer and spring, greenhouses receive enough sunlight, so there’s no concern. However, in winter or late autumn, natural light can be insufficient. This is where a lighting system becomes crucial.
LED grow lights and fluorescent lamp strips are excellent choices for supplementing light. Place these lights in a propagation or germination area that lacks natural light. This trick will make sure your plants continue to grow well during darker months.
Add a mist system
A mist system can help maintain humidity and temperature in your greenhouse year-round. Misting also combats plant diseases, reduces stress, and enhances growth rates. Even better, it can be used to apply liquid fertilisers directly to the leaves. This dual functionality makes misting systems a valuable addition to any greenhouse.
See also: the optimal humidity and temperature in a greenhouse.
(Image Credit: WikiMedia Commons)
Have enough shelving
Shelves are excellent space savers, keeping your greenhouse neat and organised. They allow you to maximise the space for plants and provide support for climbers.
Choose adjustable shelves for versatility, so you can move them up and down as needed. Or invest in an easy-fit frame with a heavy-duty cover, like the one below. With one, you can take care of seedlings and young plants without compromising space.
Use shade cloth
When your plants are exposed to eight hours of direct sunlight, they can risk overheating. Protect them with high-quality shade cloth. This is particularly helpful if your greenhouse has automatic vents. Drape the shade cloth over the top to provide protection against excessive sunlight.
When done right, greenhouse gardening can bring healthy greens to your table year-round. Lucky for you, these beginner tips have outlined what you need to do!
Check our guide to ‘ 5 Best Plants To Grow In Your Greenhouse’ for more growing ideas. If you have any further questions, contact us and don’t hesitate to give us a call at 01909 768840.
