🌱 Greenhouse Gardening
Everything You Need to Get Started
Transform your gardening experience with year-round growing, pest protection, and extended harvests. This comprehensive guide will take you from beginner to greenhouse gardening success.
Why Choose Greenhouse Gardening?
Greenhouse gardening offers unprecedented control over your growing environment, allowing you to extend growing seasons, protect plants from pests and weather, and achieve higher yields than traditional outdoor gardening.
Key Benefits of Greenhouse Gardening
Extended Growing Season
Start earlier in spring, extend into fall, and even grow year-round with proper heating.
Weather Protection
Shield plants from harsh weather, frost, hail, and extreme temperatures.
Pest Control
Reduce pest damage and eliminate the need for harmful pesticides.
Climate Control
Maintain optimal temperature, humidity, and ventilation for plant growth.
Higher Yields
Achieve 3-4 times higher yields compared to outdoor gardening.
Plant Variety
Grow exotic plants and varieties not suited to your local climate.
Types of Greenhouses
By Structure Type
Lean-To
Attached to existing wall, space-efficient, shares heating
Hoop House
Affordable, portable, great for beginners
Freestanding
Most versatile, traditional greenhouse design
Polytunnel
Large-scale, commercial-style growing
Covering Materials Comparison
Glass
Polycarbonate
Essential Equipment & Supplies
Must-Have Equipment
Ventilation System
Automatic roof vents, side louvers, and circulation fans prevent overheating and maintain air circulation.
Temperature Control
Min/max thermometer, heating system for winter, and shade cloth for summer protection.
Watering System
Drip irrigation, misting systems, or capillary matting for consistent moisture.
Supplemental Lighting
LED grow lights for seed starting and winter growing in low-light conditions.
Beginner’s Equipment Checklist
Essential (Must Have)
- Min/max thermometer
- Roof vent (automatic)
- Watering can/hose
- Seed trays
- Potting compost
Important (Recommended)
- Side vents/louvers
- Circulation fan
- Shade cloth
- Shelving/staging
- Humidity gauge
Advanced (Nice to Have)
- Heating system
- Automated irrigation
- Grow lights
- Climate controller
- Misting system
Best Plants for Greenhouse Growing
Vegetables
Year-Round Crops
- • Lettuce & leafy greens
- • Spinach & arugula
- • Kale & Swiss chard
- • Radishes & microgreens
Warm Season
- • Tomatoes & peppers
- • Cucumbers & eggplant
- • Beans & peas
- • Squash & zucchini
Herbs
Perennial Herbs
- • Rosemary & thyme
- • Sage & oregano
- • Mint varieties
- • Lavender
Annual Herbs
- • Basil (all varieties)
- • Parsley & cilantro
- • Dill & chives
- • Chamomile
Flowers
Cut Flowers
- • Gerbera daisies
- • Chrysanthemums
- • Carnations
- • Freesias
Potted Plants
- • Geraniums
- • Begonias
- • Impatiens
- • Petunias
Expert Growing Tips
Temperature Management
- Cool crops: 45-65°F (lettuce, spinach, peas)
- Warm crops: 65-75°F (tomatoes, peppers, herbs)
- Hot crops: 75-85°F (cucumbers, eggplant)
Watering Guidelines
- Water early morning for best absorption
- Check soil moisture daily, adjust seasonally
- Use drip irrigation for consistent moisture
Year-Round Growing Calendar
Spring (Mar-May)
Start Seeds
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs
Direct Sow
Lettuce, spinach, radishes, peas
Maintenance
Clean, repair, install shade cloth
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak Production
Harvest tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers
Cool Crops
Grow lettuce in shaded areas
Focus
Ventilation, watering, pest control
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Second Season
Plant cool-season crops again
Extended Harvest
Continue warm crops until frost
Preparation
Install heating, remove shade cloth
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Hardy Crops
Kale, spinach, winter lettuce
Seed Starting
Early starts for spring planting
Planning
Order seeds, plan next year
Getting Started: Your 7-Step Action Plan
Choose Your Location
Select a site with 6+ hours of sunlight, level ground, and easy access to water and electricity. Consider wind protection and drainage.
Pro Tip: South-facing locations receive the most winter sun, which is crucial for year-round growing.
Select Your Greenhouse Type
Start with a 6×8 or 8×10 foot greenhouse for beginners. Choose polycarbonate for durability and insulation, or glass for maximum light transmission.
Budget Guide: Basic kit: $500-1500, Mid-range: $1500-3000, Premium: $3000+
Prepare the Foundation
Create a level foundation using concrete, gravel, or timber base. Proper foundation prevents settling and ensures good drainage.
Foundation Options: Concrete slab (permanent), timber frame (DIY-friendly), gravel pad (economical)
Install Essential Equipment
Install automatic roof vents, thermometer, and basic shelving. Add electrical supply for future heating and lighting needs.
Priority Order: Ventilation first, then temperature monitoring, followed by watering systems
Set Up Growing Systems
Install staging/shelving, set up containers and growing medium. Prepare seed starting area with proper drainage.
Space Maximization: Use vertical space with multi-tier shelving and hanging baskets
Start Small and Learn
Begin with easy crops like lettuce, herbs, and radishes. Monitor temperature and humidity daily to understand your greenhouse microclimate.
Beginner Crops: Lettuce, spinach, basil, radishes, microgreens – these are forgiving and fast-growing
Expand and Optimize
Once comfortable, add heating for winter growing, automate watering, and try more challenging crops like tomatoes and peppers.
Growth Path: Master environmental control → Add automation → Experiment with specialty crops
Common Challenges & Solutions
Overheating
Symptoms:
Wilted plants, excessive temperatures (>85°F), poor plant growth
Solutions:
- • Install automatic roof vents
- • Add side louvers for cross-ventilation
- • Use shade cloth (30-50% shade)
- • Install circulation fans
- • Water early morning to cool plants
Poor Humidity Control
Symptoms:
Fungal diseases, condensation on walls, stunted growth
Solutions:
- • Improve ventilation to reduce humidity
- • Water at soil level, not on leaves
- • Space plants properly for air circulation
- • Use humidity monitoring
- • Remove standing water
Pest Management
Common Pests:
Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, fungus gnats
Prevention:
- • Inspect plants regularly
- • Quarantine new plants
- • Use beneficial insects
- • Keep greenhouse clean
- • Remove infected plants promptly
Winter Cold
Issues:
Frost damage, slow growth, plant death
Winter Protection:
- • Install greenhouse heater
- • Use thermal mass (water barrels)
- • Add insulation (bubble wrap)
- • Close vents at night
- • Choose cold-hardy varieties
Ready to Start Your Greenhouse Journey?
Greenhouse gardening opens up a world of possibilities – from fresh vegetables in winter to exotic plants year-round. Start small, learn continuously, and enjoy the incredible rewards of controlled environment growing.
Start Simple
Begin with a basic setup and essential equipment
Keep Learning
Monitor, adjust, and expand your knowledge
Enjoy the Process
Celebrate every harvest and successful growing season
Happy Gardening…
