atulaAll about Greenhouse Gardening
July 25th 2008 07:21
blooming in a greenhouse
“To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds, and watch their renewal of life, - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do.”
– Charles Dudley Warner
A greenhouse has in fact a number of advantages that make it even better than outdoor gardens. Like, it is good for raising plants in winter season, good for giving an early start to tender varieties of plants growing from their seeds, a nice place to grow quality, fresh and organic fruits and vegetables for the family, and also excellent for experimenting with hybrid varieties in a more controlled environment.
But first it is important to know that there is a little bit of knowledge required to cultivating plants in a greenhouse environment; it is a little bit more involved that just putting up a protective structure in your garden and throwing some plants in there! You need a greenhouse plan.
The Type
The beginning can be made by deciding on the type of greenhouse you want whether it be a cold house, portable greenhouse, hobby greenhouse a greenhouse kit or a large or a mini greenhouse.
A cold house is the simplest of all. It does not have any artificial heating devices and is helpful in extending the growing season of the plants than outdoors by trapping the sunlight during the day. It is also best when you and your plants want to get away from the strong winds or rain, but it is not possible to grow frost sensitive plants in cold houses between late fall and the middle of spring unless you provide heat, in which case it becomes a heated green house.
If you are not the one interested in building your own greenhouse, you can choose from the wide varieties available in the market today. Depending on the type each one may have its own specifications and recommendations and it is best that you do your own research to decide which is best for you. These smaller versions of greenhouses come in the form of portable greenhouses, a hobby greenhouse or mini greenhouses.
The Site
Your greenhouse should receive the maximum amount of winter sunlight available. That is why make sure that the area you are selecting is not blocked by the shade of existing structures or trees, and if possible aligned with the long side facing south. This will help catch the maximum amount of the sun's rays in the winter with the least amount of loss by reflection. Also, be sure that when you begin planning for your greenhouse construction that you build it as near as possible to your house as this will reduce costs for digging and installation of electrical wires. It is also better for quick access during the winter months if you have your greenhouse closer to your house.
The Foundation
To make a greenhouse that provides ample protection to your plants and is solid and functional for years, it is necessary to have a good and solid foundation. You can opt for the concrete foundation or the soiled one with the later being more advantageous. With a soil foundation, you can grow larger plants straight form the ground. Make sure that the soil is nutrient and does not clog the drainage system. In order to prevent the floor, or the soil, in your greenhouse foundation from freezing or getting cooler during the winter season it is important to insulate the perimeter of your foundation with a 1- 2 inch Styrofoam board that goes about 2 feet deep all around the outside edge of your foundation.
Greenhouse covering or glazing
The glazing is one of the most expensive things you buy for your greenhouse but one that is most crucial for the light coming down to the plants. It can be a glass one or a plastic one and it is important that you select the one which is double thick gaze or triple thick gaze as the single gaze variety becomes too hot in summers and too cold in winters. Also make sure to see that the glaze is uv rays protected. Research has shown that glazing that have shaded patterns are better for greenhouses as they diffuse the light entering the room and give more total light to all the plants.
less water...better plants.
Soil and Irrigation
Commercial potting soil is good for the average home garden greenhouse, especially if you're growing veggies in large beds rather than smaller houseplant pots. These soil mixtures should include sand, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and fir bark for adequate drainage.
Regarding the watering needs, remember that as the green house environment is enclosed a fair amount of moisture gets trapped and thus, less watering is usually required. The best rule for watering plants in your greenhouse is to always check the soil before you water, if the soil is dry then you should go ahead and water. You can choose irrigation systems, drip system, misters, water sensors or the simple watering can. You may not need to water every day. It's wise to study the water requirements of your particular greenhouse and document your regime in a gardening notebook. This makes it easier for a friend or neighbor to take care of your plants when you're busy or out of town.
Humidity
For plants growing in green houses the best range of relative humidity is between 45 and 60 percent. If the humidity is too high then moulds may start growing on the plants and greenhouse walls which are destructive for both. To avoid this increase circulation by installing a fan, water earlier in the day or water only when the plants need it, buy an air-to-air heat exchanger which exchanges warm moist air with cool and dry air, or put in a ventilation system by which moist air can escape.
Carbon dioxide
Plants need CO2 for photosynthesis. Therefore it is essential that the greenhouse environment has sufficient CO2 level. But as is the case many times, because of the closed environment plants are always in need of this gas in greenhouses. To overcome this problem, you can simply put in a fan. This will create a breeze that can circulate more air in the greenhouse and that will also help remove the layer of oxygen above the leaves that accumulates on their surface. A second step is to consistently introduce organic matter to your soil as the microbes and bacteria in decomposing matter is living and breathing and provides the air with its waste product; which just happens to be CO2! If you have a big greenhouse it is also good to have pets like hens or rabbits that will increase the CO2 level even more.
pH level
Healthy soil needs proper balance of pH. If the pH level is off balance then it is impossible for the critical nutrients necessary for plant health to survive in soil. Soil that is from pH 0 to pH 7 is considered acidic, and soil that is from pH 7 to pH 14 is considered alkaline, or basic. It is best to keep your soil as close to 7 as possible. If you find the soil to be too acidic, you might add limestone or wood to your soil and if it is too alkaline it is best to add compost material, sulfur or acidifying plant foods that are available commercially.
Proper pH level also ensures that healthy and useful microbes can survive in the soil that will also eradicate the disease causing parasites.
Heat
Different plants have different heat requirements. While seedlings require a warmer climate to grow, mature plants survive best in cooler climates. The optimal temperature for most plants is 50°F (10°C) and 85°F (29.4°C). Some ways by which you can heat the environment in a greenhouse are, portable heaters, hot water pipes, wired in electrical heat or solar heating. Each has its own merits and demerits and it is up to you to choose wisely and considering all the issues regarding cost, maintenance, fuel needs, weather conditions in your area etc.
Greenhouse
Plant selection
This is totally your choice but plan the arrangement of the plants in such a way that they do not block each other and also all get proper sunlight. For crops like lettuce or broccoli that need many harvest setions it is advisable to place them on the front beds. Carrots, beets, turnips, and other root crops do well in deep boxes which fit well under benches while Tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, and pole beans need tub-type containers. Buying a greenhouse garden book may also come very handy for selection and proper maintenance of the plants.
Greenhouse garden is an adventure, and if you give the proper time and treatment to it, it can easily become one of your favorite places in your home. Go..grow green!
| 52 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
