Tips and Care for your Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a structure, usually made of translucent (light transparent - plastic, glass, etc.) materials, where plants are cultivated under controlled environmental conditions. Greenhouses work by trapping the suns rays inside the structure to heat up the plants and soil inside. When the suns rays shine in to a greenhouse, the glass is transparent to the shorter wavelengths of solar radiation. However, when the plants soak up those sun beams, they then emit wavelengths of thermal infrared energy which are much longer. These thermal infrared beams are effectively trapped inside the glass of the greenhouses walls and roof, and continue to heat the interior.
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A "coldhouse" is a greenhouse that does not have any form of interior artificial heater. These houses will not work when the temperature outside drops below freezing - the minimum temperature required to grow greenhouse plants is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you live in a colder climate, you will have a shortened growing season if you choose a basic greenhouse without a means of interior artificial heat. Knowing the type of glazing on the greenhouse is important. Glazing refers to the type of walls and ceiling you have in your greenhouse. Different types of glazing will give you different growing effects, and glazing will likely be the most expensive part of building a greenhouse. The most common types of glazing are plastic sheets and glass, and some greenhouses use a polycarbonate plastic glaze. It is best to use glazing that is UV stabilized in order to protect your plants; and use more than a single-pane glaze, as single-panes will allow the greenhouse to get too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. |
There is a reason children of all ages love to dig in the dirt. Gardening provides stress relief and a sense of accomplishment when you see your work come to fruition. With a bit of research, you will find that starting your own greenhouse garden is a pleasant and rewarding experience.