Enthusiasm is an admirable trait for the beginning greenhouse gardener, but don’t let it overshadow the practical steps you should take to ensure your efforts are successful.
As with any new venture, establishing a strong foundation with careful attention to the smaller details is important.
Though it may take some patience on your part, this not only will this set you up for a positive eenhouse gardening experience, but also you’ll create an environment for your enthusiasm to continue to blossom!
Keep these seven helpful tips in mind as you begin your exciting foray into greenhouse gardening.
1. Get a Thermometer. Maybe the single most important of a piece of equipment you’ll buy, your thermometer will inform when to ventilate, where to shade, when to heat and what area to cool. No beginning greenhouse gardener should be without one!
2. Keep the Greenhouse Neat and Tidy. It might seem like a chore at the time, but always return things to their proper place. You’ll be glad you did when you want space to pot plants and when you need a place to put them. Plus, piles of unused equipment could be inviting to snails and slugs.
3. Determine Your Plants’ Space Needs. Prepare for plant growth by assessing how much room your plants will need at the stage you expect them to reach in the greenhouse. Overcrowding can restrict plant growth as they compete for space and light. This stress can make your plants more susceptible to disease and insect damage.
4. Start with Seeds Rather Than Seedlings or Cuttings. One way to reduce the probability of insect, mite or disease problems is to start with seeds planted in your greenhouse —not seedlings or cuttings from another location. It is recommended to seed more plants than the number you want because not all seeds will germinate, and this can help provide a good, healthy plant selection to begin.
5. Start with Easy-to-Grow Plants. Kicking off your greenhouse growing efforts with plants that are easy to grow will help boost your confidence. Lettuce, basil, and coleus are some ideal vegetative options. Move on next to tomatoes, seedless cucumber, eggplant, and hot pepper plants when you have more experience. Beginners should avoid starting with bushes and trees, as they take up more space and take more time to grow.
6. Take Steps to Keep Pests Away. In addition to using seeds planted or potted inside your greenhouse, install insect screens on air intakes to reduce the introduction of pests. You can also keep outside plants away from your greenhouse, complete any work in your outdoor gardens after your tasks inside your greenhouse are complete, and keep pets out of your greenhouse as any of these could transport insects or diseases inside.
7. Grow Something Greenhouse-Specific. Try your hand at growing something that will only thrive inside a greenhouse, such as tropical flowers or heat-loving vegetables. Not only will this add interest to your gardening efforts, but the success of growing something unique will prove to be exhilarating!
Thinking about investing in a greenhouse or getting ready to start your greenhouse garden? Call us today toll-free at 1-800-531-4769 to talk with one of our representatives or visit our website at www.GothicArchGreenhouses.com to find all the supplies you need to get growing!