Greenhouse Gardening For Beginners

You've taken your first step toward gardening and gained some green thumb experience. Now that you've put up your first greenhouse, you might be wondering how you can insure your plants will thrive in their new environment.

As a beginner you need to realize that a greenhouse has the basic functions of providing warmth and light so you can extend the life and the growing season of the plants you intend to grow. To do it your glass house must have adequate ventilation, a ready supply of water and the heaters that will be necessary if you hope to garden year round.




Depending on what you grow, you will need to maintain a steady temperature. The temperature in a greenhouse can vary from one spot to the next as shady spots will be cooler than those areas that receive the most light from the sun. That requires placing the right plants in the best location so they can thrive. One must have in every greenhouse is a thermometer so you can monitor the temperature. Generally, a temperature of about 80 degrees F is ideal for most plants.




While a heater is a necessity during the winter, you can save on energy expenses during the early fall and late spring when temperatures dip below what is comfortable to plants during cooler nights. You can place a few dark-painted gallon drums filled with water in areas that receive full sun. When temperatures dip at night, the heat stored in the water in the drums will radiate back into the greenhouse to keep temperature steady.



Ventilation is equally important in the greenhouse. Many good greenhouses have fans that can help to regulate temperature and humidity. If yours doesn't come with a fan, it should have roof panels that can be opened to allow excess heat to escape.



As a beginner, you'll need to experiment to find the best places to put your plants. Large plants that require full sun can provide shade and cooler temperatures to plants that require less sun.

Light is another important element for plant growth. As the months go by, the amount of light varies. Plants that thrive in one place may not do well when the season changes and may need to be moved to another location. Some plants move into a hibernation phase when the weather turns cold. They do not need to be moved and don't require much water during their dormancy period.

The humidity inside a greenhouse is adequate for most plants, but some succulents and cacti prefer a dry environment. The kind of plants you want to grow will determine what kind of greenhouse you set up.

Water and humidity are important for most plants. You can keep moisture inside your greenhouse by placing containers of water where they can evaporate and keep the humidity levels steady.

As a beginner you need to know which plants to place together and give them the adequate space they need for growth. Tall plants can provide shade while spreading plants will need more ground cover.

Except for the essential tools, fertilizers and chemicals should be stored in a separate location such as a tool shed. Exposure to moisture can cause the chemicals in some products to evaporate and you will breathe them in. For the better health of your plants and flowers it's best to use organic products and stay away from chemical sprays and other treatments.

Check your plants regularly for any diseases and pest infestation. To insure that insects don't damage your plants, introduce some good bugs to control pests like aphids and worms. Friendly bugs such as ladybugs and praying mantis will help control mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted insects.

Once you get accustomed to how a greenhouse works, you will experience the joy of a longer growing season and your flowers and plants will reward you with their show of color and health.