Greenhouse supplier catalogs are full of must-have gadgets and products for your greenhouse. But what is really essential? Let's think about what kind of supplies you really need.
At the most basic level, you can get away with a watering can and a long time. If you could go out into the greenhouse several times a day to water your plants and check the ventilation, you wouldn't need to buy anything. You may need to exercise. Think of it as a feel-good treat.
But few of us have the ability to live at that pace today. We have to go to work and take vacations. The greenhouse should be able to take care of itself to some extent. Some degree of automation in the greenhouse is desirable, even necessary.
When considering greenhouse supplies, an automatic watering system should be at the top of your list. Automatic irrigation systems work in several ways. The simplest is the passive system which relies on capillary mats to draw water from the reservoir. It is the cheapest system. Alternatively, you can use a running water system controlled by a timer. This water can feed individual pots through a drip system or diffuse the water through a porous tube. Alternatively, you can opt for a misting system that waters the plants and sprays fine water droplets into the air.
Ventilation can also be controlled automatically. There are electronic devices that open the vent or door of a greenhouse when the temperature reaches a certain level and allow it to close when the temperature drops. A more sophisticated option is to install an electric fan that expels air from the greenhouse as the temperature rises and draws in cooler air.
The extractor fan used in domestic kitchens and bathrooms or the type found in butane range hoods can be modified. For those who cannot, the best solution is to buy a ready-made one. The greenhouse manufacturer will sell fans suitable for your greenhouse model. This is the most aesthetic solution.
Even with good watering and aeration, it will never be possible to achieve an ideal environment for your plants that will eradicate all pests and diseases. Many gardeners choose
chemical solutions, but others prefer to use biological methods in their greenhouse. It is now possible to purchase a set of insect predators that will deal with the most common infestations in your greenhouse. The most common plant diseases in the greenhouse are associated with late blight and fungus. They are caused by a poor balance between temperature and humidity. If you try to grow plants together that require slightly different conditions, it will be difficult to avoid some problems. It can be treated effectively with a number of fungicides, the safety of which has been proven by tests. But you should always use them as directed and store them out of the reach of children.
Fertilizers are a vital resource for successful greenhouse cultivation. You need to feed the plants in your greenhouse. They grow at a breakneck pace and even if sown directly into the ground, they need nutrients.
Inorganic chemical fertilizers work well and are available in formulations for specific types of plants and specific growth stages. You will need one fertilizer for vegetative growth and another for the flowering and fruiting stages of the plant's life.
More and more gardeners prefer organic food for their plants. These are also widely available in liquid and powder form. It is very effective and produces results as good as the inorganic variety. it's up to you.
Some form of shading will be required in most greenhouses. The heat from the sun can burn plants very easily. The best method is to cut a custom shade net inside the greenhouse frame. The same clip system you use for shade nets can be used to secure plant supports and bubble wrap in winter.
Bubble wrap is used to insulate the greenhouse. It is an additional option. But it is very useful and worth adding to your list of greenhouse supplies. These suggestions cover some of the supplies you will need for your greenhouse.
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