How To Grow Plants in a Garden Greenhouse

Introduction

When you add a garden greenhouse to the landscape, you have the potential to double or triple your plant production. In addition, you may award yourself by growing the types of trees, fruit and flowers that otherwise would not thrive in your climate. A garden greenhouse may be a large, permanent fixture on your property.

If there isn't room for that size of building, smaller sizes are appropriate for placement in a corner of the yard. Miniature greenhouses, designed for use on a patio or deck, are available if your gardening space is very limited. Whichever style of garden greenhouse you own, put it to use throughout the entire year to enhance your life with living, organic elements.

Step 1

Start plants from seed early in the in your garden greenhouse to get a head start on seasonal planting. Sow the seeds about two months before the weather and soil are warm enough to set the plants outside in garden beds. Tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and many other vegetables thrive well in the garden when they are placed in the ground as young plants instead of planting the seeds directly in the ground. You may also start flower seeds such as marigolds, zinnias, impatiens and petunias. These flowers plants will be ready to set outdoors as soon as all chances of frost have passed.

Step 2

Set a thermometer in your garden greenhouse. Place it in a position that is easily visible. When the temperature rises during sunny periods, you will see that it's time to open windows and vents to prevent the plants from wilting in the heat. A thermometer will also help you see when it's time to increase the heat inside the garden greenhouse during colder weather conditions. 

Step 3

Design a watering system for your garden greenhouse to provide optimal moisture for plant growth. In a miniature or small greenhouse, this system may simply be a set time when you water the plants by hand. In a larger garden greenhouse, consider installing a drip-irrigation system. The drip system can be set to keep young plants a seedlings moist to facilitate their initial growth spurt. Later, the system can be adjusted to deliver a deep, thorough dose of water that soaks down into the roots but is less frequently applied. This strategy helps strengthen most plants for preparation to place them in the garden.

Step 4

Monitor your garden greenhouse for signs of insects, pests and diseases. The earlier you can eliminate problems, the better chance you have to protect the ongoing growth of the plants. Many insects and pests can be controlled with natural and organic solutions. With some diseases, it's best to remove the plants and surrounding soil to eliminate the problem from the greenhouse's enclosed environment. Greenhouse-grown plants that are properly watered and nurtured in appropriate temperatures tend to resist pests and disease better than those that are dried out, too hot or too cold.

Step 5

Provide fertilizer for the garden greenhouse plants to promote their growth and strengthen their roots and branches. Some types of liquid fertilizer may simply be added into the water and applied through the drip-irrigation system or by hand watering. Pelletized fertilizer is mixed into the soil at planting time and replenished every few weeks throughout the growing season. Be careful not to over-fertilize the plants or they may develop a lot of leaves but very little fruit.

Tips

Tropical and warm weather plants that accent your home and outdoor spaces may be placed in the garden greenhouse during the winter for protection from severe cold conditions.

 

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