Every passionate horticulturist has once in a while thought of building their very own greenhouse. To grow plants, vegetables, and other green life without the geographical and climatic barrier is a dream come true. But how does one get about things? What is the first step towards a successful greenhouse? What are the dos and don’ts? Consult an experienced gardener or horticulturist, and they will tell you that no two conservatories are the same. First-time conservatory owners rush into things; they rush into the nearest hotbox improvement store without proper research. Budget, climate, indented usage, etc., many things need to be accounted for before diving into the process.
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A Brief Introduction To The History Of Greenhouses
Great empires and kings that is where the foundation of greenhouses was laid down. The origins of greenhouses were first seen in the 1st century. The Roman Emperor Tiberius was a bit ill, and his royal physicians instructed him to eat cucumbers daily, but cucumbers didn’t grow in the Roman soil, at least not every year. The king was perplexed as to why the technologically superior Roman Empire could not provide him with the annual supply of the vegetable.
Speculations were constructed in the capital, stones and thin mica sheets were used in its construction to deal with the issue. The semi-transparent mica roof allowed sunlight to enter, and fires outside the stone wall kept the inside air warm. For 1500 years after Emperor Tiberius, horticulture lay dormant. It wasn’t until the 16th century, when the Italian scientists faced trouble keeping some exotic plants alive, that the art of greenhouses was revived. And soon, through the Italians, this concept of conservatories spread, but it was only until French botanist Jules Charles made his greenhouse that the foundation of modern greenhouses and horticulture was laid.
Modern-day greenhouses are built using edge fabric, lightweight steel, a plug-and-play electric system, LED lights, and custom translucent patterns, all designed to improve efficiency and maximize results.
The Benefits Of Greenhouse Planting
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- Greenhouses provide the planter with consistency and reliability in the produce grown.
- The barriers of climate and terrain no longer restrict gardeners.
- Extended growing season
- Higher nutrient count in the food grown. With greenhouse growth, the productive factors are maintained and altered according to the planter, thus resulting in an increased nutrient count.
- Greenhouses protect against insects and other forms of infestation. Crops are vulnerable to weather conditions and other creatures with greenhouses; the weather conditions are managed, and protection is provided against insects and other damaging factors.
Should You Build Or Buy?
The first step to becoming a greenhouse owner is deciding where you will place your structure and how much space you want it to cover. Before you choose to buy or build a greenhouse, here are a few things you should consider:
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- How many different plants do you plan to grow, and how much space will the plants require?
- What material would be best to build the foundation?
- If the greenhouse is placed far from my house, can I still take advantage of our existing electricity and water facilities?
- Are the weather conditions of my area suitable, or does it require special climate control strategies or systems?
- Is the soil suitable for drainage, or do I need to implement a water draining and recycling strategy?
- Are there any other facilities that I can take advantage of while building my greenhouse?
Greenhouses require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, so you must choose a location that is best suitable to fulfill such requirements. Geographical conditions, weather conditions, wind directions, etc., are all important factors that need to be considered before placing your greenhouse. Depending on your needs and desired results, you can decide on a DIY conservatory or can invest in a high-performance greenhouse from a trusted source.
How To Prepare For Your First Growing Season?
If this is your first time planting in a greenhouse, it is best to dip your toes into the process. Start with a few easy, straightforward crops instead of growing something delicate such as strawberries or grapes. Root vegetables, leafy greens, and tomatoes are a good place to begin. Group together plants with similar growth cycles and work with those to get the hang of the process, and when you feel confident, take a shot at the complicated plants.
How Many Seeds Should I Plant?
A rule of thumb: grow at least 20-25 percent more seeds than you intend to grow. Not all seeds will germinate, nor will each sapling result in a healthy plant. The extra seeds will serve as a replacement and will save you a lot of energy and time.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers are not the route most greenhouse owners take; most of them prefer the organic way; however, dealing with organic seeds may seem a little frustrating on the first try. Invest in a natural fertilizer or composted soil to avoid using any chemicals.
