By Ellen Bell

If you have some gardening experience with open tillage, raised beds, or pots on your patio, you will be able to apply much of your knowledge to greenhouse gardening with just a bit of variation to gardening under glass. A greenhouse is not in all cases a “hot house,” as it is sometimes called. Some species of plants do best at slightly lower temperatures and with a much higher humidity than is usually maintained in a natural outdoor garden or inside your home. The temperature and humidity levels inside a greenhouse can be regulated fairly easily.

There are a number of reasons why gardeners may choose to garden inside a greenhouse. The most common reason is usually a desire to extend the traditional growing season into the winter months. The use of a greenhouse also enables the gardener to retain plants in the fall and throughout the winter for spring seeding or planting use. When starting new plants from seed, a greenhouse allows you to plant the seedlings sooner than you would if they were sowed directly in the outdoor garden. Starting plants from seed is also a very economical option, as opposed to the expense of purchasing young plants from a nursery. Other common reasons for greenhouse gardening include growing tropical or exotic plants, growing vegetables for winter use, and experimenting with hybridization of plants as a hobby or for home science experiments.

When preparing to set up your greenhouse, you’ll want to consider designing a workflow layout for your new space. For example, there will be days you will just plant seeds and other days you will be transferring seedlings from small beds to larger beds. You may want your potting tables in one specific location, shelves in another, etc. The layout is something you want to think through carefully to insure you are not going to have to remove everything after the first season and rearrange. One way to design a layout is to spend some time doing “play work” in your greenhouse, or simply imaging how your work will be done in the space.

The location you choose for your greenhouse is critical. You do not want a shade tree blocking important sunlight. When planning the location, also keep in mind that a tree that’s small right now will grow much larger over the next five, ten, or fifteen years. You should also think about traffic patterns. Is the greenhouse going to be convenient to access? Is it far enough away from the street and lot lines to satisfy local building codes and neighbors? Also be sure to explore whether your neighborhood has any local covenants that would affect the building of a greenhouse.

Another important part of greenhouse preparation is determining if you want to build the structure yourself or hire outside labor. First, you’ll have to carefully and honestly assess your own abilities and skills to execute a DIY project of this magnitude. What tools will be necessary and do you have access to them and the knowledge to operate them? Are you physically fit to do the job yourself? Will you be able to execute the job in a timetable that meets your own needs and expectations?

If you do decide to hire outside help, be sure to check references carefully. Have they built other greenhouses before? If so, get a list of some projects they’ve completed in your local area and do a drive-by evaluation of their work. Or better yet, stop and knock on the door and inquire with the homeowner about the project. Was it completed in a timely manner and did the contractor stick to the budget? Were there any unexpected delays or costs that came up during construction? Most homeowners that are proud of the end result will be happy to talk to you and show you their new greenhouse. Lastly, you’ll want to find out if the contractor is bonded and insured. The last thing you want is to hire some for a day’s labor and then find yourself with a workers’ compensation claim because they were injured on the job and the firm did not have insurance.

By Cheryl J. Koonce

A greenhouse can represent any climate in the world. Know your varieties of plants and know their environmental needs. You also must pay attention to seasonal needs of your plant choices.

Spring, summer, fall and winter are seasons everyone enjoys. Some of us prefer a specific season over others. Interestingly enough the same is true of even plants.

Plants need seasons. Be aware of what is going on with your plant during different seasons. The South African calla lily is dormant during the summer while the lily of the Nile bears flowers. When winter comes the reverse is true.

The purpose of the greenhouse

The purpose of the greenhouse is not to imitate mother nature. Take a good look around. Bugs eating the plants, unfavorable heating conditions, and competition for nutrients are not in the plants’ best interest. The purpose of the greenhouse is control.

The atmosphere of the greenhouse is better than nature can offer. Consider the weather, rainy one day and then no rain for weeks. This definitely causes stress on the plant. The goal of the greenhouse is to improve upon nature and grow a plant to its optimum capacity.

Plant growth factors

There are four factors in plant growth – water, heat, light, and air.

There are four factors in plant growth – water, heat, light and air. Recognizing these factors is essential to healthy plants in the greenhouse . If any of these factors reaches an imbalance the plant becomes stressed. It is important to recognize symptoms of stress.

Begin by determining the climate you want to mimic. Of course this depends on the plants you choose. Be aware, your plants need to thrive in the same climate (unless, of course, you have more than one greenhouse.)

Heat is one factor that will more than likely require a thermostatic device. Heat must be measured. Some plants are very susceptible to fluctuations in temperature.

Humidity is another factor. Humidity can be monitored in the air as well as in the soil. Sprinkler systems and humidifiers are just two examples of ways to control humidity.

Light is probably the least understood by the beginning grower. Light is not just light, nor is all light created equal. Light contains a spectrum of colors called wavelengths. Although we can not see these different wavelengths with our eyes, plants can detect them with their cells. Some plants thrive better in different wavelengths. Knowing these wavelengths help choose the best lighting.

The last factor is air. Air circulation is extremely important. Realize also that some plants are very sensitive to even slight changes in air currents. Test for drafts to best protect them.

When all of these factors are in balance you will have the beginning of a great greenhouse. Your plants will thrive and be beautiful.

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