How to Use a Greenhouse

A greenhouse is a glass or a plastic structure, used for growing flowers, vegetables and fruits, and for pollination in appropriate climatic conditions. The walls of a greenhouse are heated using solar radiation from the sun, to warm plants, soil, and other things inside the glass or plastic. A greenhouse allows one to alter the conditions to suit the plant growth, instead of choosing and restricting the plants to suit the condition. Let's take a closer look at how to use a greenhouse.

Effective uses of a greenhouse
Greenhouse gardening can add a completely new dimension not only for cultivating plants, but growing a variety that is varied and profitable. How to use a greenhouse depends on individual requirement, time and effort one is willing to put in. Following are some ways to use a greenhouse.

Early seeding
As the climatic environment within the greenhouse can be altered and temperatures controlled, one can sow seasonal flower and fruit seeds in advance, to prolong its bearing. This is particularly useful in cold climates, where it is necessary for the seeds to germinate and grow into healthy and sturdy seedlings, before transplanting them. Commercial cultivators use greenhouses to sow seeds, to have their produce (saplings) ready for marketing in time for the planting season.

Sheltered growing
Greenhouses are commonly seen in places, where the winters are harsh and the summers are short. They provide an easy and resourceful way for growing plants and vegetables. One can grow plants in different size containers, filled with rich, humus soil and healthy seedlings. The young plants will grow and provide a better yield, when protected from temperature variations, and annoying pests. A greenhouse will allow you to have fresh produce grown without pesticides or medicines to ripen them, throughout winter.

Propagation
Greenhouses are used for propagating plants, either to be sold commercially or to create a hybrid, that will replicate the properties of two or more plants. Many plants are genetically altered in a greenhouse. Propagation can be done using different methods like cutting, grafting, and air or soil layering. Propagating and cultivating attractive and hardy, pest-free plants in greenhouses, for commercial use, has turned many small-time cultivators into a unified, thriving industry. The Southern Spain's Almeria province is one such example of how a greenhouse has turned this once arid landscape into a prosperous community.

Xeriscape and hydroponic growing
A greenhouse is an ideal environment to grow different kind of plants to suit different places. Individually or combined, xeriscape and hydroponic gardens, will help balance out water needs. Xeriscape gardening involves plants that are drought-resistant, or need very little water to facilitate its growth. They just require some good moisture-retaining soil. Hydroponic gardening, on the other hand, has plants that are water-intensive, and to grow them, one needs good access to water.

Growing herbs and exotic plants
Rise in the popularity of alternative therapy industry like aroma, and growth of the spa culture, has many cultivators moving toward growing herbs and exotic plants in greenhouses, where growing them organically can be well-controlled. Long stemmed roses, carnations, and other bulbous exotic lilies like the irises, freesias, tulips, and orchids yield good returns for greenhouse growers. Even growing fruit trees like avocado, lemon, orange or banana, can be managed in a greenhouse.

Important pointers for using a greenhouse
While greenhouses can effectively grow and solve many problems associated with growing different plants in different climatic conditions, the following should be kept in mind to ensure smooth functioning of a greenhouse.

Water
Water is essential to all plant life. As the greenhouse works on the technique of trapping and building moisture within its structure, regular watering or even overwatering is not required. However, that does not mean one ignores watering plants completely. Individual plants have different water requirements, especially in peak summers. Using a moisture gauge to check moisture and humidity levels to determine watering needs, will ensure adequate water supply to the plants.

Temperature control
The temperature in a greenhouse needs to be regulated as per the climate around it, as it uses sunlight to harness its heat build up. During peak summers, the doors should be left open for a while, whereas during winters, they should be shut tight to ensure trapped moisture does not escape. A good ventilation system should be in place to ensure good circulation of air and moisture. Invest in a good thermometer to gauge temperature within the structure.

Pest control
Pests are probably a major factor for ruining many greenhouses. While bringing plants from outside, check it thoroughly for any pests or diseases. If one plant has a disease, it will spread it to others as well, as a humid climate is what most pests and diseases thrive upon. Keep treating the greenhouse to prevent diseases. If one is using bugs or bees for pollination, make sure you trap and move them out, once the pollination process is done.

Using a greenhouse is easy. For big commercial greenhouses, it is best to have an expert look into its requirement, but for the small ones just ensuring moisture, temperature and pest control will yield good results. So, now that you have understood how to use a greenhouse, flood your senses with beautiful, colored flowers and exotic plants!