It’s said that many homeowners who enjoy gardening eventually decide to invest in placing a greenhouse in their backyard. This installation can be considered a wise investment for those who love caring for plants, as a greenhouse can boost property value and aesthetic appeal.
Function-wise, greenhouses are built to protect plants from adverse weather changes and extreme temperatures. As a result, homeowners can plant various species year-round with healthier growth and better yield.
To maximize the efficiency of your greenhouse, it’s essential to manage it well and make adjustments as needed. It also has to be organized to make it easier and more convenient to care for plants in any season. Finally, the greenhouse must be comfortable, safe, and visually appealing.
If you’re new to managing a greenhouse and would like some tips on optimizing it, continue reading to learn more.
1. Plant Crops That Are Easily To Cultivate
As you begin to grow plants in your greenhouse, select easy crops to grow and care for. Doing so will help you gain confidence as a planter and it’ll also make it easier for you to keep your plants alive and thriving. Here are some easy-to-grow plants you can consider for your new greenhouse:
- Peas;
- Radishes;
- Tomatoes;
- Onions;
- Garlic; and
- Leafy greens such as lettuce, chard, kale, and others.
Apart from them being easy to grow, the crops mentioned above can also make great additions to your vegetable dishes, making it more enjoyable for you to tend to your greenhouse. Then, after some time, you’ll be more confident to move on to bush plants and trees usually grown by more experienced home planters.
2. Start With Seeds
Mites, insects, and pests can influence how well your greenhouse plants will thrive. Dealing with infestation early on in the plant’s life may be detrimental to its growth.
And this is why many consider it more efficient and effective to plant with seeds for novice plant enthusiasts. Unlike seedlings or cuttings, seeds don’t give off odors that attract pests – this improves their chances of them growing and reaching maturity without the fear of infestations.
To ensure that you’ll have sufficient growth after planting, you’ll need to produce more seeds than the actual number of plants you want to grow. Doing so increases the likelihood of having solid seedlings, as not all seeds planted are guaranteed to yield results. You’ll need to let more seeds germinate and select ones that have the best chances of thriving.
3. Determine Your Plant’s Space Needs
While planting more seeds than you intended may yield better results and expand your options, you may have a problem with overcrowded crops if each seedling isn’t given enough space.
Overcrowding tends to push plants to grow vertically. Consequently, seedlings that aren’t strong enough will eventually wilt since others would block their way to the sunlight. Also, the plants will experience stress and damage as they compete for air and sun exposure. This stress can make them more susceptible to pests and weeds infestations as well.
Henceforth, it’s essential to allow adequate space for each seedling to grow and thrive. You’ll need to divide your planting plot equally for every seedling and ensure that each is given sufficient room for sufficient growth and development.
4. Install A Heating And Cooling System
The temperature in your greenhouse needs to be regulated to make it more conducive for plants to grow. In addition, the temperate should be open to adjustments if you plan to grow various crops all year round.
For cooler months, as an example, you can install an electric heater that comes in a size suitable to the square footage and type of greenhouse. A small greenhouse may require a 120-volt electric heater to stay warm, while bigger ones may need double the voltage to achieve the desired temperature. Aside from the heater, you’ll also need a thermostat to keep the temperature regulated and in check.
Meanwhile, a cooling unit would be handy during the summer months to keep a consistent temperature in your greenhouse structure. You can either opt to ventilate naturally or use gadgets such as fans or air coolers to regulate warmth and humidity.
5. Water Plants Accordingly
Plants need to be watered according to your crop type and its specific needs. Case in point, annual flowering plants may require frequent watering since they have shallow roots. In this case, there’s a tendency for the roots to be dehydrated since their position allows more air exposure, which removes moisture from the soil where they’re planted.
On the other hand, other factors to consider for a plant’s water requirement include the temperature, humidity, and the growth stage of the plants. For instance, plants usually require watering every 10 days during winter but may need more water supply for the intensely warm summer months.
6. Protect The Greenhouse From Infestation
Besides starting your greenhouse with seeds and potted plants, you can also consider other ways to boost your greenhouse’s defense against infestation. Having mites, insects, pests, or rodents inside it may negatively impact your plants’ health and growth potential, and this is why it’s essential to put protection in place against infestation when needed.
To prevent infestation in your greenhouse, you’ll need to ensure that there’s no stagnant water on any part of the interior. Water attracts pests and insects, and this is why it’s essential to keep the interior dry. On the other hand, those who reside in places prone to insect and pest infestations can consider installing screens and electronic repellants to keep them at bay.
Lastly, you’ll need to ensure cleanliness around the greenhouse to protect your plants from infestation. For instance, you’ll need to clear up any garden waste such as dry leaves, grass, plant trimmings, and edible items that attract insects and animals. If you have pets at home, you’ll also need to keep them away from the greenhouse to avoid any accidents or damage to the plants and the structure.
Conclusion
Maintaining a greenhouse can be a fun and rewarding experience for those who love plants. It protects various plant species, allowing gardeners to grow them all year round. Greenhouses also make an attractive addition to a backyard and add value to the property. Given their benefits, it’s essential for homeowners to properly care for and manage their greenhouses to optimize their functionality and efficiency.