Are you interested in growing your own plants at home, but have no idea where to start? Perhaps you’ve already looked into your options and have settled on creating your own greenhouse.
Being able to harvest your first home-grown flowers is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a gardener. Of course, the gardening journey will not always be a smooth one. In fact, it can be filled with numerous errors, especially in the beginning.
It is essential to note that setting up a greenhouse doesn’t stop at building the structure. Once the structure is up, there will be a number of important details that you’ll need to factor in to ensure its success. If you think you’re ready for a more sustainable way of growing flowers, however, read on to find out how you can start a greenhouse with minimal issues.
By following these five tips, you can minimize mistakes when you buy a greenhouse, as well as ensure that you’ll be able to provide your plants with the most appropriate type of environment and nourishment.
5. Know Which Type Of Greenhouse Is Best For Your Needs
Before settling on a particular type of greenhouse, you need to know how much planting space you’ll need. Maintaining a greenhouse is a long-term commitment, so it has to have enough space for your goals.
There are two main types of greenhouses: attached and freestanding. As the name suggests, attached greenhouses have walls that can be attached to a sturdier main wall, like your garage. Meanwhile, a freestanding greenhouse is a totally separate structure that’s built on another area of your property.
4. Assess The Number of Plants You’d Like to Harvest
Once you’ve figured out how much you want to harvest, expect to plant approximately 20% to 30% more seeds. Unfortunately, no matter how much you care for your seedlings, not all of them will germinate and grow into healthy plants.
This is why space is also important. When the healthy seedlings manage to grow, you’ll need space to transplant them to make way for the growth of other plants.
3. Take Note Of The Climate
Although a greenhouse allows you to have more control over your plants’ environmental settings, the climate outside can still affect your greenhouse plants in many ways. Hence, it’s best to maximize the weather and plant your seeds at the right time so they’ll be able to thrive appropriately.
For instance, plants that can grow all year round are best planted in December to January, when it’s colder. Meanwhile, March to April are better months for planting more delicate crops.
2. Consider Other Environmental Factors
Aside from the importance of adequate lighting and appropriate temperatures, you also need to consider other factors that might affect your plants’ growth, including:
- Ventilation: Even if the weather outside is cool, plants can still suffer from overheating if your greenhouse isn’t well-ventilated.
- Shading: For those who live in warmer environments, or for greenhouses that have portions that are hit by direct sunlight, shading can prevent the plants from getting dried up by too much heat.
- Heating: On the other hand, those who live in cooler environments will require heating because greenhouses without any insulation will quickly cool off in the evening.
- Pests: Since greenhouse environments are favorable for plants, they’re also favorable for pests. Make sure that you also take pest control into account to keep your plants healthy.
Once you’ve done your research and come up with a plan to make sure your greenhouse will be as hospitable as it can be, you’re ready for the next step!
1. Start Out With Easy Plants
Here comes the exciting part—now, you get to plant! Even if your end goal is to be able to grow plants that are difficult to care for (e.g. bromeliads), it’s best to start with some easy plants.
Some of the easiest flowers to start your greenhouse journey with are:
While you’re learning, you can also try these easy-to-grow vegetables:
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Garlic
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Radishes
- Basil
Test out any of the aforementioned plants first before you move on to high-maintenance varieties.
Concrete Plans Will Help You Build Your Dream Greenhouse
Every gardener has to start somewhere. Although the whole concept of starting your own greenhouse may seem intimidating, simply knowing the answers to fundamental gardening questions can help get you started on the right path.This will prepare you for the tough trial-and-error battle ahead.
Once you gain a better understanding of how your greenhouse system works, however, healthy crops and floral blooms will soon become a given every time you plant.
feature image: Selena N. B. H.; image 1: Kinga Longa
