Growing Vegetables in Greenhouses

Growing vegetables properly in a greenhouse is something which can pose quite the challenge for many a wannabe gardener, especially when you are growing lots of different vegetables and are having to keep on top of all their unique needs. Although the work can be hard, it definitely pays off when the fruits of your labor (literally) come about and you are able to enjoy the end result.

Greenhouses come in all types of shape and size, from simple cold frames to full-sized monstrous glass structures which house thousands of different plants. Whether you are looking to invest in your very own greenhouse for the garden or are interested in one of the many large California greenhouses on offer, you can sleep soundly in the knowledge that a greenhouse is a suitable environment in which to grow vegetables and fruit all year round.

#1: What Can I Grow in a Greenhouse?

The environment of a greenhouse is ideal for a vast range of vegetables and fruit and you can grow pretty much any vegetable or fruit you want in one! Some vegetables require cooler temperatures, whereas others require hotter temperatures; and others don’t care either way. If you are just starting out with a greenhouse for the very first time, it is probably a good idea for you to begin with some of the simple, hardier vegetables, which you will be able to grow without any problems.

Then, when you start to get a feeling for the whole vegetable-growing process, you can branch out and start experimenting with other types of fruit and vegetables. Before you know it, you’ll be growing pretty much every vegetable you could ever need. In fact, you will never have to buy any again!

There are three vegetables which you cannot go wrong with as a vegetable-growing newbie –

 

  • Carrots

 

These vegetables require a cooler environment and so are not suitable for greenhouses during the spring or summer when the environment will be hot and humid. Instead, grow your carrots during the winter and they will be ready for harvest come springtime. If you want sweet carrots, keep the environment extra cool.

 

 

  • Spinach

 

Spinach is a vegetable which can easily be grown in a greenhouse. Although the rate at which spinach can grow depends on temperature, it is a great crop which provides lots of nutritious leaves and requires very little attention. Spinach will grow throughout the summer and can be harvested when autumn arrives.

 

 

  • Lettuce

 

The classic vegetable and accompaniment to pretty much every salad going, lettuce is a great starting point for growing your own vegetables and finding your feet with greenhouses. Lettuce takes up quite a lot of bedding space, but it will thrive in the greenhouse environment and it grows all-year-round.

#2: Getting the Temperature Right

There are a few tools and accessories which you will need for your greenhouse in order to produce the best quality vegetables possible and keep the environment at the ideal level at all times. To help control the conditions of the greenhouse and to allow you to grow vegetables properly, there are a few tools and accessories which you will need.

If you find that the greenhouse is far too hot, you can easily vent a lot of heat by opening up the windows at the top of the greenhouse. There are also automated vents, which can detect temperature changes and automatically open or close windows and vents so that the optimum temperature is maintained consistently.

If your greenhouse is too cold, you can introduce a heating system which can maintain the ideal level of warmth, even through the coldest of winters, although it might be costly to run if the outside temperature is very cold.

#3: Greenhouse-Related Problems

When you are growing vegetables within the confines of a greenhouse, you may come across a few problems. One of the major problems are soil-borne disease and you can combat this by replacing the soil every three-to-five years. If you are having problems with soil, you can buy larger pots and grow bags where certain plants will benefit from having their own soil.

Aside from the classic soil problem, other things to watch out for include powdery mildew, the damping of your crops, and grey mold. There are a few insects and pests that are the bane of greenhouses around the globe, including the glasshouse whitefly, the glasshouse red spider mite, and the glasshouse leafhoppers. There are plenty of ways to keep these pests at bay without damaging your crops.

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