The construction is finally done, now you can start setting up the greenhouse, for which there are endless possibilities. The temperature and humidity must be right and the soil must also be optimally prepared in order to recreate the plants' habitat as naturally as possible.
What do I have to consider when setting up the greenhouse?
When setting up a greenhouse, temperature, humidity, soil conditions, technical equipment and plant selection should be taken into account. Aids such as shading fabric, thermometers, plant lamps and protective plants can be used.
Whether built by hand or purchased as a pre-assembled DIY kit: When setting up the greenhouse, you should not act haphazardly and be clear aboutwhich types of fruit and vegetables or ornamental plantsare being grown or should be bred. Knowledge about natural crop rotations is just as important as knowledge about the basic compatibility of the different types of individual plants and plants with one another. In any case, this planning depends on thesize and height of the house, but also the type of construction, for example whether the walls and roof are made of foil or glass, is not insignificant when it comes to your new greenhouse to be able to set up.
Technical equipment
Once you reach a certain size, it makes sense to think about a water connection. Professionals who grow particularly demanding plants often even use automatically controlled irrigation systems. However, if you are setting up a greenhouse with a usable area of less than 10 m2, the traditional watering can will probably be sufficient to ensure aregular water supply for your plants. However, you probably won't be able to avoid a heater. Whether it is permanently installed or only runs in “emergency mode” via a fan heater that is otherwise in the house is, first and foremost, a question of cost. However, one should be prepared that even with our temperate European climatenight frosts cannot generally be ruled out until the end of April.
Setting up a greenhouse also includes good soil
Whether the plants should thrive on the ground or in raised beds, optimal soil conditions are the be-all and end-all when growing them. The young plants in particular neednutrient-rich soilin the first few days and weeks, which is best made up of a high proportion of compost orHumus should consist. The compost should be ripe and in any casefree of pestsandnot too moist to prevent fungal infestation, for which tomatoes, peppers and zucchini are particularly suitable are susceptible to prevention.
Devices and tools for setting up the greenhouse
- Shading fabric against direct sunlight;
- Plant lamps for particularly light-hungry plants;
- Thermometer, frost monitor and hygrometer (€15.00 at Amazon);
- Hanging shelves for seed trays and plant pots;
- Suitable work tables or trays;
- Power connection, cable drum, lighting device;
- Planting tools, containers, window cleaner.
Tip
It's not necessarily part of setting up a greenhouse, but if possible, think about theUse of protective plants (basil against mildew; yarrow against lice, nasturtium against snails and caterpillars). With these simple measures you not only avoid crop failures, they are also better for the environment than resorting to chemicals!
