Compact Greenhouse Growing Guide For Newbie Gardeners

Gardening is a rewarding hobby for many reasons, including its positive effects on physical and emotional well-being. Without a doubt, growing edibles, ornamentals, and other plants has its advantages. But for some, the lack of available space is enough of a hindrance to abandoning the idea altogether. Fortunately, compact greenhouses make gardening possible for newbie gardeners.

That said, this article will guide you in growing various types of plants and produce in your compact greenhouse.

What To Grow If You Have A Small Greenhouse 

According to South West Greenhouses, the best vegetables for a small greenhouse are cold-hardy plants like cabbage and cauliflower. Similarly, tender-fleshed types such as peppers and tomatoes are ideal for growing in a compact space. Also, you can cultivate leafy and bitter vegetables like kale and broccoli in your greenhouse. Nonetheless, it would be best if you considered the upcoming fall and winter seasons. In the winter, vegetables such as turnips, carrots, and onions thrive.

Strawberries, pineapples, melons, figs, grapes, and peaches are some out-of-season fruits that can be successfully grown in greenhouses. Generally, you can cultivate them if the size of your greenhouse permits. This is also true for dwarf fruit trees like lemons, apricots, and specific variants of apples and oranges. On the other hand, grapes can only be grown in areas with sufficient room for the vines to climb.

Herbs are also an excellent addition to your greenhouse, as some need protection against frost during the cold season. In addition to mint, which may spread quickly if not contained, it can be grown in small containers alongside herbs such as cilantro, sage, thyme, and parsley.

If you love flowers, you can plant roses that require 60° to 70° Fahrenheit. Greenhouses are suitable structures that can provide them with the correct temperature. Although both Chinese hibiscus and African violets thrive in humid conditions, it’s crucial to know how to regulate humidity levels to avoid the growth of fungal infections.

Set Up Your Compact Greenhouse 

Learning practical methods to extend the growing season is essential to gardening. Investing in a greenhouse from sources like findthehomepros.com, is a smart move if you want to cultivate plants that require protection from animals, pests, and climate variability. You may enjoy gardening throughout the year with a greenhouse, regardless of the season.

Those new to greenhouse gardening can consider beginning with a compact greenhouse. They are perfect for germinating seeds and provide conditions comparable to bigger greenhouses, but are more cost-effective and simpler to assemble. The best part about small greenhouses is that you can save time creating one.

1. Basic Greenhouse 

The most common compact greenhouse consists only of three items:

• Seed Tray – the seed tray has sections where you can sow and let them take root. They are molded to fit the base.
• Transparent Lid – the clear lid traps sunlight and maintains moisture to enhance the soil’s temperature placed at the tray’s sections. It also provides protection from insects when left outdoors.
• Base – the base collects excess water to reduce the mess.

The best feature of greenhouses is their adaptability, which allows them to be tailored to specific demands. As long as they protect your plants, they can be as essential as necessary.

2. Low Greenhouses 

If you’d like to grow your plants on the ground instead of placing them in pots, you can purchase any of the following compact greenhouses.

• Pop-up Greenhouse – it’s made of mesh and unfolds just like a pop-up tent.
• Cloche – this is another type of mini greenhouse for newly planted plants. They are made to protect plants from cold but doesn’t create warm temperature.
• Cold Frames – this variety is easy to build, even with a few bricks and an old window frame. You must position the cover of the cold frame slope where the sun can shine.

3. Walk-In Greenhouse 

Some of the larger varieties you can walk into are greenhouses made with glass or polycarbonate resistant to frost. Polyethylene is an affordable option but will require replacement in five years. On the other hand, shelf types are best for potted or container plants with a glass covering.

Grow Seedlings In Your Compact Greenhouse 

If you don’t have extra room for something as elaborate as conservatories, or a large greenhouse, all you need is a small space and some seedlings to get started. You can begin with this simple guide:

1. Prepare the sterile soil mix using small container pots or planting trays. Use a water tray and fill an inch with lukewarm water before placing the pots inside. Allow the soil surface to become moist as it absorbs the water for 30 minutes. Then, remove the excess water.
2. Sow two seeds in each pot or tray cell or at least one inch apart on trays or flats. Mist the surface of the soil with water if needed.
3. Position the tray or the small greenhouse where it can receive sunlight. Aim for a 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range and cover it to help retain moisture until the seeds germinate.
4. Allow condensation to dissipate by propping the greenhouse cover. If the soil surface feels dry, water the soil but avoid the leaves of the seedlings because it can lead to fungal disease.
5. Remove the cover of the greenhouse before the seedlings touch it.

Depending on the style of your greenhouse, you can place them on shelves or surfaces inside. But if you have a small space, you can plant the seeds directly on the ground.

Takeaway 

Beginning your journey into compact greenhouse gardening requires several essential steps. Choose the plants you want to cultivate first, taking into account the space in your greenhouse and your own preferences. You should select vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers with your location’s climate in mind. Next is to choose the kind of compact greenhouse you want. Then begin increasing seedlings according to instructions from reputable gardening sources.