Top 7 Questions about Greenhouse Growing

Do you know you can grow fresh vegetables all year round in your backyard? About 35% of US households grow edible plants year-round in a greenhouse. This isn't even surprising, given the many benefits it offers.

One of the main benefits is reduced water consumption compared to other growing methods, with the help of drip irrigation. So, if you are into gardening and want to start growing plants in a greenhouse, read these top 7 questions about greenhouse growing to understand everything you need to know.

1. What Essentials Do We Need for a Greenhouse?

This is one of the most asked questions about Greenhouse planting. First, you will need a sturdy structure made from polycarbonate or polyethylene. Once it's in place, you will need the following three essentials to keep your greenhouse going.

• Temperature Monitor: Monitoring greenhouse temperature is necessary for optimal plant growth and preventing stress, pests, and diseases. That's why you should consider investing in an automated monitoring system to alert you when temperature changes happen within the greenhouse.
• Ventilation: Proper airflow is essential in the greenhouse to control humidity and prevent overheating. While various vent options are available, roof ventilation is more effective than any other option, such as side-wall ventilation.
• Heating: The greenhouse should have a proper heating system to maintain the temperature necessary for plant growth. You can equip the greenhouse with electric, gas, or infrared heaters. The goal is to maintain an even and consistent temperature to help the plants thrive.

2. What Are Some Common Greenhouse Issues?

Having a greenhouse of your own is a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges.

• Bugs: First, you will have to encounter lots of bugs. Cutworms, armyworms, aphids, ants, caterpillars, and many other insects enter the greenhouse. However, you can use pesticides at the right time to keep them under control.
• Diseases: Plant diseases like fungal infections, mildew, and root rot are other common threats to your greenhouse. You can prevent these by checking your plants often for common symptoms.
• Watering Issues: Overwatering and underwatering are both problems. However, it can be avoided by using the right greenhouse irrigation system, like drip irrigation.

3. How to Avoid Bugs in a Greenhouse?

Bugs are genuinely a threat to the greenhouse. They can transmit serious diseases to the plants. Some common insects that transmit diseases are leafhoppers, aphids, whiteflies, and thrips. However, they can be controlled by a combination of preventative measures.

• Rotate Crops: Rotating crops interrupt the life cycle of bugs and pests by preventing insects from spreading diseases.
• Inspect Plants Regularly: Regularly inspect plants for any signs of infestation. Early detection and prompt action can prevent the disease from spreading.
• Cleanliness and Hygiene: Keep the greenhouse clean and free from unwanted materials, including extra soil and organic matter. Check and remove unhealthy plants to maintain a healthy environment.
• Targeted Insecticides: Use only targeted insecticides to kill the organisms threatening the plants. This approach minimizes harm to beneficial, non-targeted organisms, preserving the ecological balance within the greenhouse.
• Sticky Traps: A log of sticky traps proves beneficial in catching small flyers, fungus gnats, western flower thrips, whiteflies, and many other insects.

4. What Type of Soil Should Be Used for the Greenhouse?

When choosing soil for your greenhouse, loam is ideal for garden beds. Loam is a perfectly balanced blend of sand, clay, and silt, making it optimal for greenhouse growth. However, before using it, you must test the soil pH using a pH meter to ensure it's perfect for the crops you want to grow.

If the pH is alkaline, you can use sulfur to increase the acidity. Similarly, you can use lime to improve the soil's alkalinity. You may need to keep the pH between 5.8 and 6.5 to grow vegetable plants.

You should also check the soil from the supplier for specific nutrients. The most important ones are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. You can always use a soil test kit to determine what nutrients are in your soil and what you need to add more.

5. What are the common plants that grow in a greenhouse?

The greenhouse is ideal for propagating most plants. With a precisely controlled environment, you can grow nearly every variety. Orchids, roses, and African violets grow best with a controlled and consistent temperature and humidity; hence, they are suitable for beginners.

If you are more inclined towards growing edible plants, you have potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, chilies, sweetcorn, cucumbers, lettuce, leafy greens, and many more.

Carefully pick the variety that best suits your location and climate. If you're a beginner, stick to crops that require minimal effort and will bring you joy in the long run.

6. How to Control Greenhouse Humidity?

The ideal humidity for a greenhouse is 80%. Most plants thrive at 65-75% humidity at night and 80% during the day. Any fluctuations in the humidity level can affect the normal growth of the plants.

That said, you should have proper systems to maintain humidity. For instance, moving air with proper ventilation, such as roof vents, side vents, and fans, allows fresh air circulation and reduces moisture levels. High humidity levels should never be a problem, as running fans and opening doors create good airflow.

Similarly, proper plant spacing and pruning improve airflow, reducing humidity pockets. Heating systems can warm the air, and drip systems can water the plants and keep the humidity at optimum levels.

7. How to Determine If a Land Is Suitable for a Greenhouse?

A greenhouse is not the result of just one perfect factor. It depends on several key factors. Here's what you should consider determining whether your land is suitable for a greenhouse.

• Availability of Water: There should be an adequate water supply for the irrigation system. Water is also essential for pesticide application, clean-up, and evaporative cooling to extend your growing season.
• Humidity Level: Since the amount of moisture affects the transpiration rate of plants, the greenhouse should maintain a consistent humidity level. You can use misting kits to achieve this.
• Amount of Light: When choosing land for a greenhouse, consider the sunlight the area receives. The plant's length and growth depend on the amount of light.
• Proper Drainage: A proper indoor and outdoor drainage system should remove excess water and avoid flooding.
• Terrain Leveling: Make sure you set your greenhouse on a level ground to prevent things from getting complicated.

Conclusion

These seven questions about greenhouse growing cover everything a beginner needs to know to get started. While greenhouses allow you to grow year-round, they tend to require much more maintenance and control to produce a great yield year-round.

Remember, when setting up a greenhouse, you need a well-managed irrigation system, like drip irrigation. When it comes to quality irrigation and tools find everything you need at DripWorks.