Anyone with a green thumb knows that getting their own greenhouse is incredibly exciting and fun feeling. It allows you to cultivate more plants just about all year round, depending on where you live. And we always seem to need a little more space for another plant or two! However, maintaining your greenhouse can also be a huge responsibility that may initially feel overwhelming for new owners, but really isn’t that bad once you see exactly what needs to be done and how often. Allow us to share some helpful advice for your first greenhouse so that your plants will be safe and thrive.
Start with a plan
It’s definitely easy to overlook, but the first thing you should do is to make a plan. Write down a list of everything you want to grow. Then make a map of your greenhouse and where you will plant everything. It will make it so much easier when you are actually setting it all up. Take into account what plants need the most space and go from there.
While this may seem small or obvious, this is by far one of the most important tools to keep in mind. A thermometer is essential for any greenhouse, as it helps to inform you when you will need to ventilate, which plants to shade, when to add heat, and when to cool. Just trying to guess your greenhouse’s ideal environment will very quickly harm your plants, and you won’t be able to accurately course-correct.
Keep Your Space Efficient
Because it’s your first greenhouse, it’s likely that it’s going to be a bit on the smaller side. It may be a structure attached to your home or one that’s freestanding in your backyard. To get the most out of it, you want to ensure you maximize the greenhouse’s growing space. This includes simply keeping your greenhouse clean and free of clutter so that the area doesn’t become cramped or take up wasted space that you could be using for more plants.
Furthermore, keep in mind that your greenhouse may have more available vertical space than horizontal space. Take advantage of this using vertical planters and other similar growing options. You will really be amazed at just how many plants will fit into that small space when you maximize the use of vertical spaces.
Start With Seeds
We strongly recommend you start with seeds rather than using seedlings or cuttings when starting out. Cuttings will carry a risk of introducing pests or diseases into your greenhouse that can quickly spread and contaminate any other current or future plants. Save yourself the hassle and heartbreak by simply using seeds that pose no risk to your ecosystem when starting your greenhouse.
Easy-To-Grow Plants
The last piece of advice for your first greenhouse is to try starting with easy-to-grow plants. This will give you far more room for error while you’re still learning how to manage your greenhouse. It’ll also help you to provide the best care for your plants. Once you’ve become more comfortable, you can graduate to more difficult plants that require more specific care. Thank you for reading “helpful advice for your first greenhouse.” Here are some other articles you may enjoy reading!