How to set up the Greenhouse Area
Knowing how to arrange the greenhouse area is an important skill that one needs to develop for maximum impact and functionality. Before the greenhouse arrives one needs to consider the purpose of the greenhouse, activities that will go on in the area, and where such sources of water and electricity are located.
Location, location, location is an important consideration that one needs to take before sitting up the greenhouse. Are there trees around, is the ground level, and where does the sun come up and sit are factors that need to be looked at. Also what is the greenhouse going to be used for and is it going to be a mobile unit or a permanent structure. A greenhouse function can strictly be to start seeds or to raise plants year round. Also the type of plants that will be grown are an important consideration. An example of this is the production of poinsettia. These plants require 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark for the leaves to turn. Streetlights, car lights, and household lights all can affect a poinsettia’s ability to turn colors. So choose the location wisely based on the function of the greenhouse.
Also think about where electric and water sources are located. Nothing defeats the purpose of a beautiful greenhouse when you cannot water your plants. So locate the electric and water source if these amenities are going to be used in your greenhouse.
If other activities related to seeding and transplanting are going to be involved in the greenhouse production then the items related to these activities need to be around the greenhouse. A composter placed near the greenhouse is a great time saver not only for plant but also for placing dead plant material from the greenhouse, planters, and containers along with kitchen scraps.
Potting benches and potting tables are another consideration that one needs to think about before picking your greenhouse location. If the planting bench or table is going to be used outside make sure it is located near the door of the greenhouse. If the planting bench is going to be located inside the greenhouse then make sure flooring of the greenhouse is compatible to being soiled. The most careful gardener still spills some soil through the planting process. Gravel, bare ground and concrete are all great surfaces to place a greenhouse on and all can with stand being soiled.
Accessories such as greenhouse shelving and table units need to be also taken into consideration. Greenhouse shelving is a great space saver as far as increasing production when used with seed trays. Greenhouse tables are multi-purpose inside and outside the greenhouse. But plan for moving these tables outside to harden off plant material. Nothing beats moving plants outside and not having enough room to harden them off.
An added thought to greenhouse placement is if one is going to use chickens or rabbits to help heat a greenhouse or if worm farming is going to be part of the greenhouse operation. The location of the greenhouse and the location of the chosen animal activities need to be thought through. An example of this is where worm casing are going to be used or if chickens are going to be used as a chicken tiller and how close the greenhouse is to where they need to till.
Choosing a greenhouse may seem a simple task but many things need to be considered before purchasing the greenhouse. Like many things, location is everything when one wants to maximize the use of your greenhouse. What is the greenhouse going to be used for and what other activities are going to occur outside and inside the greenhouse are also things to think about. So make a list and check it twice and then check out what Outdora has to offer for your gardening price.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mindy McIntosh-Shetter has been an Agricultural Science educator, and is a horticulture and/or environmental blogger who earned a degree from Purdue University in Agriculture Education with a minor in biology, and natural resources. Presently she is finishing up her Masters in Environmental Education and Urban Planning for the University of Louisville while working on her own agriculture/environmental blog.
