There are all sorts
of challenges to gardening in the UK. From the unpredictable weather to
unwanted garden visitors, it’s not always easy to grow things at the bottom of
your garden. One solution to the problem is to invest in a greenhouse. The
beauty of greenhouses is that you can buy them in different sizes, making them
ideal for gardens of all descriptions. Gardening in a greenhouse brings about
its own trials and challenges, so it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
Photo credit: Pexels
Read on for some
useful information about greenhouses for beginners.
Space
When building your
greenhouse, you’re going to need to decide how much space you’re going to need.
It makes sense to get a larger space than you think you need, as you’ll likely
increase the number of plants and vegetables you grow in there once you find
your feet. Remember that some plants also need plenty of headroom to grow
effectively, so make sure you factor this into your plans.
Material
Traditionally,
greenhouses are made from glass - allowing easy access to sunlight and
providing plenty of heat to help things grow. However, there are more versatile
options available to you now that you should consider. A polycarbonate
sheet greenhouse is a great alternative to the glass variety. It’s a lighter material
that makes it easy to move around, and is also much cheaper to buy - ideal for
those replacements for damaged panels due to weather or stray footballs. It
might also be worth thinking about materials you can keep to hand for when the
weather gets too hot - some sheeting or ventilation that can stop your plants
from frying in the strong summer heat.
Location
Another key
consideration for your greenhouse is space. If you place your greenhouse in an
area that tends to be shaded, it’s not going to have the best effect on your
plants. When siting
your greenhouse, think about where the sun will be and how much sunlight that area gets
in the day. You’ll also want to make sure the greenhouse is near your home, to
make sure you actually maintain its upkeep. You’ll need to be able to get water
and even power to your greenhouse with ease, so placing it near these access
points will be a huge benefit to you. If your garden has a lot of trees, you
might want to consider some grow lights to help keep your plants thriving
during the summer months.
Timing
Timing is everything
when it comes to growing vegetables and fruit in your garden. Take a look at
this great list of what vegetables to grow
in your greenhouse and when to help give you a better indication of what to plant at different
times of the year to help you make the most of your greenhouse.
Like regular
gardening, greenhouse gardening involves a period of learning until you get it
right. Having a greenhouse is one of the ways
you can prolong the growing season and get the best results from your efforts.
Sometimes it’s a case of trial and error, but by doing your homework in advance
- you’ll stand a much better chance of greenhouse gardening success.