Greenhouse gardening isn’t very well known amongst the public, with a common misconception that the process is rather difficult, which is just not the truth. In fact, it is simple to start, easy to adapt, and pays back in greater volume than originally invested. Not to mention greenhouse gardening happens to be highly environment friendly as well.
Harsh weather conditions and hostile environments are great impediments when it comes to regular gardening. Also, the concept of creating an artificial weather condition is usually off the charts. These shortcomings do not exist when it comes to greenhouse gardening. Not only can you grow your desired plants in harsh conditions, but also you can create an artificial environment that ensures the best growth for your plant without actually being harvested out in nature. If any of these factors have caught your interest, then join us as we explore greenhouse gardening for beginners.
Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners (Why You Should Start Instantly)
A beginner’s guide to starting an outdoor greenhouse in your area where you live. This article helps you know how to do, when to do, and where to do it. You’re on the right track to extend the growing season that you need to.
Let’s dive into here to make a green world in any season, wherever you are now.
How Does a Greenhouse Work and What it Actually Does?
In order to answer the simple question of how does a greenhouse work? We have to first understand the place that these greenhouses have in our world today as opposed to how they worked throughout history. Agriculture has come a long way, and with the help of hybrid plants and other modern agricultural tools and machinery, many functions of the greenhouse may have been driven obsolete, but the appeal and usage of a greenhouse haven’t necessarily declined.
With the help of science, the greenhouse is now being used for many modern projects like outer space farming and farming in hostile environments that either don’t have the scientific backup or have a harsh, untamed environment.
The basic principle of the greenhouse boils down to using the otherwise harmful greenhouse effect to our advantage. The emission of thermal energy is reduced by holding back the head, which is absorbed when it leaves its original source through the process of convection. Transparent materials like plastic and grass are used to provide a clear path for the sunlight to pass through swiftly. Under normal circumstances, the sunlight from outside would be used to heat the greenhouse up and trap the sunlight inside. The trapped sunlight heats up the ground, and the ground, in turn, heats up the air. This trapped heat, in turn, keeps the plants warm. This reliance on sunlight raises a question, however, how to use a greenhouse in winter?
The answer is simple, improvise. To capture the most heat from the little light available during the daytime, high-density materials like brick and stones can be used. If that doesn’t work, then there is always the option to use artificial heat sources. Now to provide overheating, it is advised to link up your heat source to a thermostat.
You will love to read Best Portable Greenhouse
Starting a Greenhouse at Home, Simpler than You may Think.
It is entirely possible to get the wrong idea that greenhouse farming is a complicated task best left to certified experts and veterans. This, however, is just not true. Especially in the current age of the internet and DIY, it is easier than ever to answer the question of how to start a greenhouse. To encourage greenhouse farming for beginners, let’s talk about the countries that are high in altitude where greenhouse farming is essential to maintain a consistent flow of plants all throughout the year. In these countries, greenhouse farming has gone on to become one of the best pastimes for people. Depending on the pursuer’s financial condition, the cost of a greenhouse garden can range anywhere from extremely affordable to quite expensive.
Here is a rundown of factors you need to consider and materials you need to obtain for starting your dream greenhouse at your home:
Select a Proper Greenhouse Location
Selecting a proper location is a no-brainer when it comes to greenhouse gardening. And the great thing about selecting a location is the fact that it can be quite flexible. You can go for a permanent location or choose a temporary one if you want to move your plants around.
Materials for Foundation
A proper foundation is a key to a successful greenhouse. Some of the materials necessary would be:
- Poured concrete for footers and stem walls.
- Foundation made of cement blocks.
- 2*6 boards on concrete slab placed on the ground.
Don’t forget to read Best Backyard Greenhouse
Adjusting the Cost in Accordance with Your Abilities
Now depending on your budget, you need to adjust your approach to your greenhouse. If you are low on budget, then it is advised that you keep your plantations grounded. However, if money isn’t much of an issue for you, then you can always use more expensive materials like concrete.
Don’t Forget Wind, Ventilation, and Water
Be wary of the wind. Your greenhouse is prone to get damaged from the wind, so make sure your plants are closer to the ground, and your vents aren’t too fragile. As for the ventilation, proper ventilation is necessary to adjust to weather conditions.
The usage of automatic vent openers is quite famous for avoiding overexposure to sunlight or any other factors. A nearby water source is also a must. Trying to carry in the water on your own from afar is tedious and not encouraged. So make sure whatever location you pick happens to have a water source nearby. This will save you a lot of unnecessary hassle.
Watch out for Pests
Ah yes! The pests. Especially the mice, rats, and the gophers of the world are not your friends if you’re looking forward to a successful greenhouse. In every opportunity these pesky menaces get, they will hinder your progress by eating up your seeds or letting the plants grow, then eat them up before you have the chance to bear the fruit of your labor. A basic act of protection would be to cover up any holes made by these rodents. Also, it is advised to bury some wires around your greenhouse to drive these creatures away. Also, you can look at How to Keep Bugs Out of Greenhouse
A Proper Greenhouse Planting Guide
Let’s face it, it wouldn’t be a proper guide to greenhouse gardening for beginners without laying down the groundwork on how to plant your desired crops properly. The foundation of a greenhouse is obviously important, but the plantation process is just another half of the equation. You can have the best greenhouse in the world with all the high-tech accessories, but If you don’t have the knowledge to utilize these or the knowledge of how the environment works, then you won’t see success.
Here are some of the steps to make sure you’re planting right:
Know the Seasons
Now let’s start with picking the proper season for harvest. If you find yourself in summer, then it’s the best time to go for flowers or smaller plants. Eventually, when it’s winter, then focus on the cold-resistant plants. It is best to get with the plants that come with the season during the fall, and by the time spring finally arrives, don’t forget to sow the seeds.
Pick your Seeds Wisely
Let nobody tell you what you can or cannot plant. That being said, if you want suggestions, then it is highly encouraged to ask. To go into planting, you need to first pick what you want to plant. Do a little research on if you are in the right season to sow the seeds. Also, check What to Grow in a Greenhouse for Beginners
Then get yourself some containers. Picking the right soil is also necessary. Since picking the wrong soil can lead to plant diseases and attacks from pests, it is best to go for infertile soil. If you find yourself questioning the decision to pick infertile soil, then worry not, because you’ll be adding fertilizers to fix that issue.
Also, in the case of picking hybrid or heirloom, it is best to remember that they come with their benefits and problems, so proper caution is advised.
Maintaining Temperature is Key
We already discussed the tools necessary to maintain the ideal temperature, and now it’s time to implement them properly. Your greenhouse itself already works to maintain the entrance of sunlight. But of course, letting the sun in continuously isn’t the way to go. Also, learn How Much Sun Does a Greenhouse Need?
Work on managing the sunlight based on the season and circumstances. If it’s warm, then a cooler should help you save your plants from overheating or getting fried. On the other hand, if it’s winter or snowing, then get a heater to save your plants from freezing to death. Don’t be worried about the moisture though, the trees and plants in the greenhouse will handle that.
Additional Tools You might Want to Consider
Please do note that these tools are merely optional and can become necessary only in certain scenarios. So if you’re angry that more investment is being pushed on you despite all your previous spending, then don’t worry; you should be already settled.
That being said, you might want to consider shelves for properly organizing and to save some sweet space. You can also consider purifiers for well, purification works, or go for fans of different calibers to serve different purposes like pest control or cooling works. Last but not least, you should consider getting a thermometer and a shade cover. We have already discussed the importance of maintaining the optimal temperature in your greenhouse.
The thermometer will help you get a good idea about the current temperature and will give you necessary hints on what to do to adjust your temperature. The shade cover, on the other hand, can be used to protect your plants from overexposure to outer sunlight. Both these components will come in cheap and provide a great amount of value for your buck.
Small Greenhouse, Big Possibilities
Perhaps owing to different restrictions or shortcomings, you can’t afford a somewhat big greenhouse. Stop asking yourself what to grow in a small greenhouse because we are here to tell you it is very much possible. Get yourself some small containers or pots and get to work. In winter, we suggest going for peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbages, lettuce, and onions.
During mid-spring, go for pumpkins and squashes. From late spring to early summer, it is time to get your young vegetables ready for the outdoors by hardening them. Don’t forget to wait till there is no snow. The summer crops should be ready for their final days. During mid-summer, you should start preparing beans and parsley seeds and remove the used cucumber, melon, and green bean corps. For late summer, it’s time to plant the potatoes, lettuce, baby carrots, etc. And finally, for fall, you should sow green beans, lettuce, broccoli, and parsley.
Growing vegetables in a greenhouse are especially focused here because vegetables grown in greenhouses score much higher in quality owing to their naturally grown counterparts because of the controlled growing environment. So we encourage focusing on growing vegetables over many other plants in your greenhouse as they probably offer the best quality amongst all other possible crops. Growing other plants isn’t discouraged, however.
You will like to read Best Indoor Greenhouse Kits
Final Words
Going to greenhouse farming means getting closer to self-sufficiency. Growing what you consume with your own hands definitely is something to take pride in. Not only does greenhouse farming get you closer to nature, but it actually helps the environment as well. If you are someone who is worried about witnessing the rise in processed food and ready-to-eat junk food, then the change you wish to see is going to be best started when it starts with you.
Just imagine how much healthier we would be if we went back to growing our own crops and consuming fresh crops grown by others. Another point that deserves mentioning is the financial opportunities that a self-grown market could bring for us. Double that with the added benefit of being a great habit of investing your time in, and we have ourselves a winning combination.
So regardless of your abilities and circumstances, we encourage you to go for greenhouse farming and trust us when we say you will probably not regret it.
