Greenhouse gardening is a satisfying and rewarding endeavor for amateurs and professionals alike. But you don’t have to be a professional to build your own greenhouse and create ravishing plants all year round. There is so much information available in books, TV shows, and on the Internet that an amateur gardener with the resources and time can buy a greenhouse set, build it, and successfully raise vegetables, fruits and decorative plants inside it.
Tomatoes, onions, peppers, corn, pumpkins, carrots, radishes, greens of many varieties, strawberries, cucumbers, garlic and more can all be grown together in the greenhouse. High light, humidity, temperature, moisture and fertilizer are all needed to accomplish greenhouse gardening. Each plant might have slightly different needs and some similar. Whatever your daily greenhouse regimen, make it routine and don’t overwater.
Someone with a green thumb and a little experience could turn their amateur greenhouse pro just by selling some of the supply at the local farmer’s market. If you find you consistently grow amazing garlic – consider specializing in garlic products, etc.
There are six main things an amateur gardener can do with greenhouse gardening: raise winter plants, safely store parent plants foe next season, propagate and experiment with plants, raise a larger variety and a more continuous supply of food bearing plants, and easy cultivation of small vegetables for winter use.
There are a string of elements to plan out before you choose a greenhouse design and begin the building process. Consider the kind of workspace you will need. Work benches? Potting shelves? How high? How many? What kind of wood? Sink? Where? These are all questions that must be answered before choosing a design.
If you plan to use wood to build benches, make sure it is rot-resistant wood. And avoid the pressure-treated wood – it contains highly toxic levels of arsenic and could poison your plants. You can also buy a DIY kit to build your own work benches as well.
Another crucial planning element – regardless of the type of greenhouse gardening, size or design, tent or glass, is the orientation of the structure. Plan to put it in a place where there is clearing toward the SE through the SW for as much winter sun as possible. When planning the orientation, take into account the change in angle of the sun between summer and winter. Hint: they are different angles.
It is most ideal to align the greenhouse with the long side facing south. This accomplishes two things: it reduces the amount of sides that might need shade cloth to just one. Also this angle positions the roof to its maximum sun-hours-per-day position.
A good, reliable thermometer is also required for greenhouse success. This lets the greenhouse gardener constantly monitor the greenhouse for temperature variations that could damage plants. The thermometer lets you know when to ventilate when it gets too hot inside. Keep track of temperature readings and watering routines/effects. The information can help you see what plants are most successful when and good, legible records help your neighbor or loved one tend for your greenhouse plants while you are out of town.
