Greenhouse Growing for Beginners
A greenhouse can be a great space to grow plants in. They help to protect plants against frost and chilly weather, making them an option worth considering if you live in a colder area of Australia. Greenhouses come in many shapes and size, and there are many greenhouse designs in Australia.
Starting a greenhouse doesn’t have to be a scary task, and many simple designs are available for beginners.
Want to find out more about greenhouse growing for beginners? Keep reading this article!
Why use a greenhouse?
A greenhouse can be a great way to offer protection and more stable temperatures for greenery. They are often used for keeping the cold, and pests away from precious plants. This protection can make for easier growing, in that you don’t need to be as concerned about pesky bugs eating your plants, or the harsh frost killing them! These shelters offer protection which can be particularly good for small seedlings, or weather-sensitive plants. Greenhouses are great for growing plants, as you can spend less time worrying about the time of year you are planting them, and more time enjoying the growing process.
Different types of greenhouses
According to the NSW Department of Primary Industries, there are several classifications of greenhouses, according to their shape. These include tunnel, gable, raised dome, sawtooth, skillion, and flat arch. Some other styles include lean-to, and a-frame style greenhouses. Greenhouses can be made from a variety of different materials, including glass, polycarbonate, and fibreglass (just to name a few!). Below, we go over a few different types of greenhouses to help you work out hat could be the best greenhouse for your garden.
Tunnel greenhouses
A tunnel greenhouse takes the shape of a tunnel. This simple design and can be made at home, and there are many DIY tutorials and videos online to help you do so. If home DIY isn’t your style, you’ll be happy to know there are also pre-made tunnel greenhouses available.
Raised dome greenhouses
If you’re after an aesthetic addition to your garden, why not take a look at a raised dome greenhouse? Large domes can be a little pricey, but you can also have a go at making your own following DIY advice if that’s more your style!
Gable roof greenhouses
These are a very popular type of greenhouse (in fact, they might just be the type you imagine in your mind when somebody mentions their greenhouse). These greenhouses are available in many different sizes, which can be chosen depending on how many plants you wish to grow.
Lean-to greenhouses
Lean-to greenhouses can be built against a wall. These greenhouses are attached to the wall of a home or other structure. If you decide to go this route, make sure to do your research to pick the best spot for the placement of your new lean-to greenhouse.
How to get started greenhouse growing
Greenhouse growing for beginners doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Plan your method before starting and you should be feeling well-prepared and confident in your approach. If you’re wanting to start growing plants in a greenhouse, there are a few things to think about.
Decide on the type of greenhouse you’d like to have in your yard
Maybe you’re after a pre-made gable roof greenhouse? Or perhaps you’d rather have a go at building your own DIY tunnel greenhouse. When making this decision, consider the size of your yard, the number of plants you wish to grow in a greenhouse, and the time you can spare on the project. If you have a busy life, a large greenhouse might be a bit of an overcommitment, and much of it may lay empty. Work out the number of plants you wish to plant before you purchase or build your new greenhouse.
Choose what you wish to plant
The purpose of a greenhouse is to protect plants, so you’re going to need to get some plants! Figure out what you’d like to grow: vegetables? Fruits? Flowers? Or a combination of different plants? Do you wish to use your greenhouse as a place to nurture small seedlings, or as somewhere to grow plants of all varieties and sizes? Check to make sure the greenery you wish to grow can grow well in greenhouses, and in the area you live.
Stock up on containers and soil
A greenhouse garden needs plenty of soil and containers for all your new plants to grow in! If you wish to use your greenhouse to plant and protect many small seedlings, then plastic plant trays could make a good investment. These can be reused over and over, so once your seedlings are large enough for a transfer, you can do so and plant a new batch of small seedlings in their place. You can also invest in larger pots for all of your now not-so-small seedlings!
Get planting!
Once your greenhouse is up and sturdy, and you’ve got plenty of pots and soil, you can start your greenhouse planting journey! Remember to place your plants in the right position for their needs, water them when they require it and fertilise when they need it. If you wish to know more about how to grow your plants to be their best, research them to find out how often they like to be watered, fertilised, and where to place them.
Greenhouse growing for beginners can be an exciting journey. From picking the best greenhouse for your yard, through to stocking up on the products and plants you need, and finally, caring for your much-loved plants and nurturing them to be their best, greenhouse growing can be a rewarding process. Before too long, (and with a little time and hard work), you may find that you’re no longer a beginner to greenhouse growing!
