Greenhouse Gardening


 

Greenhouse gardening is devoted to the folks who love to garden but then winter comes along and shuts them down. The answer, of course, is greenhouse gardening. Tending to plants in the enclosed environment of greenhouse gardening, when winter is all around you, can be therapeutic. Greenhouse gardening can produce an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. A relatively small free-standing or lean-to structure can produce dramatic results. Manufacturers of these off-season enclosed growing structures will provide easy to follow instructions which will explain the entire operation.

Greenhouse gardening enthusiasts will eventually become an entomologist (bug person), an olericulturist (vegetable grower), a pomologist (fruit grower), a floriculturist (flower grower), and a horticulturist (general gardener). In other words, they will become an expert grower.

  

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 Plant Growth Basics

Greenhouse gardening must provide plants with the same factors needed for growth outdoors – light, carbon dioxide, temperature range, water and nutrients. Take any of these away and most plants can not grow. Some of these factors can be artificially varied to compensate for another factor, which is slightly deficient. For example, a natural light intensity slightly lower than desirable can be compensated for by raising the temperature and/or increasing the carbon dioxide content. Of course, using supplemental, artificial lighting is another solution. Greenhouse gardening can be very productive when the environment is under control. Fortunately, many growing structures are available with accessories which can control the environment. Ventilation moderates high temperature, heaters and insulation raise low temperature, and water and nutrients can be controlled manually or by irrigation methods. Carbon dioxide is more difficult to control, but methods are available, if absolutely necessary.

Types of Structures

Greenhouse gardening structures fall into several categories:
1. Freestanding or lean-to (attached)
2. Commercial or hobbyist
3. Permanent or temporary

The third category relates to the local building permit process. Most jurisdictions require a building permit for a permanent structure, defined as having a floor slab and/or foundation under the walls. When planning your project, check with your local jurisdiction regarding this issue.

The first category is self-explanatory. The advantages of a lean-to structure are easy access in inclement weather and heat transfer from your house to the lean-to – a savings on fuel.

Commercial structures are for the most part large metal framed structures with replaceable coverings. They are freestanding but can be multiplexed side by side to create large open space for maximum production.

Hobbyist structures come in a variety of types and sizes, from less expensive to very expensive redwood and glass houses which can enhance the value of your property. You should be able to find a match to your particular circumstance because of the large selection available.

Pests

Greenhouse gardening operations can be derailed by an infestation of pests. This is a rare occurrence caused primarily by an owner who did not do the mandatory maintenance. Constant vigilance in observing your plants will detect the appearance of pests in time to easily eliminate any potential problem using a variety of proven methods available at any garden center.

Watering

Over watering, misting and overhead watering are the primary reasons for greenhouse gardening failures. This is because they promote ideal conditions for the development of diseases.Hint: only water when the plants are showing signs of stress. Maintaining a dry environment is first and foremost in successful greenhouse gardening.

 

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