You need to find ways to make the most out of your greenhouse, whether you are a seasoned grower or not. Investing in large greenhouses does not mean that you can use them any way you please. You have to save space and preserve energy, especially where heating is required. How can you make your greenhouse more productive?
Pick the Right Location
You ought to place the greenhouse in a sunshiny site. Your plants will need direct sunlight for a minimum of six hours daily. If you reside in northern states, an east-west orientation is advised. If you live in southern states, a north-south placement will expose all plants to sufficient sunlight. Beware of structures, such as buildings, walls, fences, and hedges, that are likely to cast shadows.
Regulate the Temperature
Maintaining the right temperature in a greenhouse is critical, especially when growing tender plants. Ensure that the temperature does not rise too much and abruptly. You should also avoid temperature fluctuations. If you are growing your plants in summer, keep your house well ventilated. Opening the door and windows on hot days helps create adequate air flow.
Vents help address temperature problems. They allow hot air to move out and cold air to move in. If your greenhouse lacks them, consider installing them. Alternatively, invest in high-quality louvres. Louvres keep an appropriate and constant flow of cool air at the base of the structure. This guarantees better growing conditions.
Increase Space
Increasing the space in your unit makes it more efficient. Zoning, shelving, and staging remain the basic methods of increasing space in a greenhouse. Zoning involves organising your unit into separate areas to eliminate clutter. A unit with storage, potting, edible plant zone, and non-edible plant zone would be space-efficient. Shelving helps make use of the unit’s height. When installing shelves, be careful to do it right to ensure enough lighting for all plants. If you prefer staging, you should buy the ideal purpose-built staging.
Keep Your Greenhouse Pest-Free
Pests can be a serious setback in greenhouse farming. If you have wooden staging and shelves in your unit, controlling pests can be a nightmare. If you stay vigilant, you will be able to catch pests early, which makes controlling them easier. Understand that slugs can do extensive damage within a short time. If you notice slimy trails inside your unit, you ought to buy slug pellets as soon as possible. If you have flies, a trumpet pitcher plant will take care of them.
Assess the Structure Regularly
Evaluating your unit regularly, particularly if you practice climate control, is important. Catching air leaks in time, for instance, helps avoid losses. If the structure has a wooden frame, it is likely to deteriorate with time. This can mean the unit crashing, which can cause injuries and damage to plants. Frequent evaluations give you the chance to address problems before they become full-blown.
Understand that you would need different approaches each season to get the most out of your structure. For instance, in spring, you will need to protect your seeds against frost. Winter calls for proper regulation of temperature, especially when growing tender herbs.
Read more at Tempo Stand.
