Plant Gardens 101

Greenhouse gardening can be one of the most enjoyable and exciting kinds of projects to start. A greenhouse offers you endless hours of opportunity to work with any number of types of plants. Whether you grow vegetables in your greenhouse to eat, or grow flowers to sell at the local market, greenhouse gardening is an activity that pays off in many ways. For many gardeners, greenhouse gardening begins with building the greenhouse.

10 Helpful Things to Consider Before You Build a Greenhouse

There are some important things you should keep in mind when it comes to building a greenhouse. In addition to deciding on the type of building you want to use, there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind when you create your starter or ideal greenhouse:

1. Make sure that the greenhouse is as high as it can be. A greenhouse that is higher provides more volume to help buffer the outside temperatures. If you increase the height of your greenhouse by just two feet, you can increase the volume by around twenty percent. The surface area, which is the part of the greenhouse that makes you vulnerable to heating loss, will only go up by around eight percent. A tall greenhouse offers very few direct shadows, keeping frame members further from your precious plants.

2. You will also want to insure that you have adequate drainage for your greenhouse gardening. One way to do this is to utilize gravel to help raise the floor of your greenhouse above the surrounding terrain. This will help the water table lower quickly after it rains, and will keep the floor of your greenhouse much drier overall.

3. An irrigation system can be a huge time saver for your greenhouse. There are nozzles and drippers available for just about any kind of crop, and choosing the right one for your greenhouse is a huge time saver.

4. Be certain that you have sufficient electrical service to your greenhouse. If you have too little voltage, you might be in a pinch once you begin gardening. As your greenhouse grows and you add more equipment, you will need that extra electricity.

5. Be ready to monitor levels of pH, EC and moisture. Using meters that will monitor these conditions can give you some indication of the changing needs of your plants. These monitors are relatively inexpensive, and give you a much more accurate reading than just a visual inspection.

6. Make provisions to keep out pests. Use things like insect screens, tight vents and tight doors to keep the little critters out of your greenhouse.

7. Use solid-state temp controllers. You will want to choose electronic thermostats over mechanical ones, as they will give you much more precise control.

8. Plan to expand. Create an overall plan for your greenhouse that covers the next several years. Make sure your existing structures and facilities will allow you to have expansion.

9. Use quality equipment to save time and energy. Labor is your number one production cost when greenhouse gardening, so using things like container-fillers, carts and conveyors can really speed up your processes.

10. Use a quality air circulation system, which is important for leaf moisture removal, carbon dioxide enhancement, and uniform temperatures.

With a little care and planning, building a greenhouse can be a rewarding experience for years to come.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouse gardening and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog.

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Getting flowers going in the garden greenhouse is always a fun addition to your usual greenhouse gardening activities. There’s just something special about watching those delicate green shoots emerge, knowing that they will produce beautiful, vibrant flower blossoms.

Flowers in the greenhouse add fragrance and color to your green workspace. The cheer and peacefulness they bring more than make up for the added effort of starting end nurturing a few extra seeds. Here are a few tips for getting flowers going in the garden greenhouse.

Tips for Getting Flowers Going in the Garden Greenhouse

• Start your seeds early. You can start your flower seeds in the greenhouse weeks before the last frost. This will still make transplanting them outdoors possible, but will provide you with hearty seedlings that are more likely to survive transplantation.

• Always read the planting guidelines on the flower seed packet. Different varieties of flowers call for different planting instructions. Even though one packet may look like the next, always flip over the package and double check the directions before planting.

• Always start your seeds in a sterile container and use sterilized soil to prevent the growth of bad bacteria and insects.

• Keep the greenhouse temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the germination process, or a seedling heat mat to warm the seeds from the bottom.

• When filling seed containers with soil, do not pack the dirt. Filling the container loosely will allow for better drainage and allow added room for the seed to spread forth its delicate roots. Firm the soil lightly with a soil tamper.

• Newly planted seeds need extra moisture and sunlight. If you are using a grow light, set your timer for up to 18 hours of exposure per day during the germination period. Covering your pots with plastic will help them retain adequate moisture levels by preventing evaporation.

• Wait to fertilize seedlings until they have grown 3-4 leaves to prevent burning the plants.

• Grow flowers that are your favorites, but try out a couple new flowers each season. This provides interest and variety to your greenhouse and you might just find a new favorite among your experimental flowers.

Getting flowers going in the greenhouse is a great way to provide a pick me up for those last lingering days of winter and spring. Flowers exude happiness for the greenhouse gardener and can jump start your growing season next spring.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouse gardening and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog

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Portable greenhouse kits are a gardener’s best friend. They allow you to continue gardening well into the fall, and even let you get a head start on the growing season by protecting delicate seedlings from frost, harsh winds, and heavy rains. They are usually inexpensive and are a good investment for the serious gardener.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: from Sturdy to Flexible

Portable greenhouse kits are available in varieties that are sturdy enough to stand up to bad weather, and others are flexible enough to fold up for storage in a small space. They are versatile enough to meet a variety of greenhouse gardening needs. Some portable greenhouse kits can even be used as an inexpensive permanent greenhouse!

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Hobby Starters

Portable greenhouse kits are a great way to start a new hobby as a greenhouse gardener. They make perfect gifts for recipients of every age. You can give a portable greenhouse kit as a retirement present, or as a gift for the school age child looking for a science project idea or new hobby. Portable greenhouse kits are the perfect way for a gardening enthusiast to share a love of gardening.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Easy Set Up

Most portable greenhouse kits are extremely easy to set up and can be ready for use in a matter of minutes, right out of the box. Portable greenhouse kits are even available that are self-erecting, only requiring the insertion of a stabilizer bar once set up is complete. This makes portable greenhouse kits attractive for gardeners with physical disabilities or generalized physical weakness.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Overwintering Paradise

Portable greenhouse kits are perfect for overwintering those delicate plants in a mild region, some plants can even remain outdoors during the entire winter. A portable greenhouse kit eliminates the need to cram your living room with all of your favorite perennial plants during the colder winter months.

Portable Greenhouse Kits: Helpful for Starting Seeds

Portable greenhouse kits can help you get your seeds started earlier. They provide added warmth during germination and help retain extra moisture for delicate sprouts. Portable greenhouse kits also protect fragile seedlings from downpours, heavy winds, and even trampling by the family dog. You can replace those plastic terrarium trays and peat pots, letting seeds grow in their natural environment without transplantation.

Portable greenhouse kits are versatile and useful tools for the gardening enthusiasts. They make perfect gifts and are a welcome addition to any gardener’s potting shed.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouses and greenhouse gardening at The Greenhouse Catalog.

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Greenhouse gardening is not that different from other types of gardening when it comes to the kinds of tools and equipment you need to have in order to be successful. From simple hand tools to flower pots, there are all sorts of types of supplies that you can get in order to help maintain your greenhouse. It all boils down to how much money, time and effort you want to put into greenhouse gardening.

Greenhouse Gardening Essentials

Greenhouse Education Some of the most basic supplies you will need for greenhouse gardening are educational materials. Unless you attended an agricultural college, chances are you could benefit from learning about greenhouse gardening. A few books on greenhouse gardening, for example, can save you all sorts of time and frustration in the long run. The Greenhouse Gardeners Companion is one of the most comprehensive and highly recommended. (more…)

Which is the best, greenhouse kits or greenhouses that are built from a set of plans? It may depend on several factors which will be discussed in this article.

Are you looking for the easiest way to put your greenhouse together? If so, greenhouse kits are much less complicated to put together than greenhouses built from plans or a book.

Greenhouse kits can usually be put together by most people using common tools. If you are not using a kit you may need to hire someone to build the greenhouse.

Is time a factor? If you want to have your greenhouse up and functional, greenhouse kits are the way to go. It will take far longer to figure out the plans, buy all the materials and build the greenhouse. (more…)

Once you had completed your search for the perfect greenhouse, you need to start considering what greenhouse accessories you will need to make sure your greenhouse delivers your desired results.

From heaters to grow lights, there are an abundance of things you can add to your greenhouse to make your greenhouse hobby even more rewarding.

Just like finding the right greenhouse is important, your greenhouse accessories are important too and need to be carefully considered. One without the other will simply not do!

You can read up in books or on the internet about what greenhouse accessories are important. There may be several categories to choose from so plan on spending some time looking at all the accessories and then start a list. You may even want to begin a greenhouse accessory journal. This will make it easy for you to keep track of all your purchases. (more…)

Herb gardening Is one of the most rewarding pastimes you will begin. I say will begin because by the time you finish reading this you WILL begin! You will need some basic information and knowledge about the herbs you choose to use and grow, but after that the actual process is easy and fast. The best thing is that after you work out what you need to do, it becomes a passion that lasts forever and, even better, it’s a real money saving hobby.

What you Need to Know About Herb Gardening
Basically you need to work out your seasonal needs. Choose the herbs you like or use most often in your cooking. The easiest way is to go to your kitchen shelf and look at what you have accumulated over the past and decide which ones you really use. Then, look up the growing requirements. You can do this on the Internet or go to your local nursery for free tips. Most plants are easy to grow, but will need a little attention and need replanting in spring.

Next you need to learn how to dry your herbs for storage and use during those times when fresh plants are unavailable. Here are my tips for drying herbs successfully:

• Cut off tops of the leafy varieties in midsummer.

• Hang them up just long enough so that the drops of water can evaporate.

• Wash them off with cold water.

• Tie them with string, binding them quite tightly at the end of the stalk.

• Place them in a paper bag with the stem ends at the opening, and then close the bag with a rubber band.

• Then you need to use a paper clip as a sort of hook through the band and then place the other hooked end over your line where you are going to hang the herbs to actually dry.

• Wait for a couple of weeks, to ensure they have dried out completely.

• Remove them from the paper bags, and then crumble the leaves and place them on a shallow pan and dry them out in the oven – just make sure that the oven is not set to be too hot, because you can burn them, and you certainly do not want to do this.

A lot of herb gardening enthusiasts prefer to use the open air as their preferred way to dry herbs. This method however can be messy as insects can interfere with the drying plans and get caught up and become part of your larder! If you are careful and pick them out it may be OK. My view is that open air drying is unnecessary and does not yield better results at all. Michael is the owner of Herb Magic, the BEST site for all herb lovers. You will also find great herb gardening tips and healthy herb recipes and information at www.HerbWorldBlog.com

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When planning to build your own greenhouse there are several things you should research and understand. Whether taking steps toward developing a new hobby, or starting your own business, knowing what type of greenhouse will suit your needs is essential to your success. Building the proper greenhouse is the first step.

There are two basic types of greenhouses: attached and free-standing. Attached greenhouses come in either lean-to or even-span. Both are built so they are attached as a part of your house. They are convenient because you can step out your door and into your greenhouse without ever setting foot outside. This is preferable when weather is bad. If you have an outside wall facing south or southeast, the attached greenhouse can be energy efficient, and in colder months can contribute to the heating of your home. (more…)

Setting up a mini greenhouse for early season starts is an exciting process for the avid gardener. Mini greenhouses prolong the growing season by letting you start seeds earlier and allowing you to bring vegetation indoors after the weather grows too cool outside. Mini greenhouses come in many different varieties.

The Attached Greenhouse
The attached mini greenhouse is very popular greenhouses. Not only are they easy to set up, they are conveniently located right next to your home. Many mini greenhouse kits are available that allow for easy attachment to an existing structure, such as your home or garage. Some homeowners choose to convert an unused carport or breezeway into a haven for their plants. Others purchase a greenhouse kit made for attaching to a building. Some lean-to greenhouses are even fully enclosed so you can just lean them up against your home without having to drill holes into your house’s siding. The ambitious gardener may even decide to build an attached mini greenhouse from scratch.

Attached mini greenhouses are often more convenient because sources for ventilation, heating, cooling, and water are readily accessible from the existing structure. Many attached greenhouses are transformed into functional rooms with the addition of brick flooring, wooden benches, and wrought iron furniture. These combination solarium/greenhouse rooms are very popular retreats for rest and relaxation or even as a breakfast room. (more…)

Need a gift idea for someone who loves to garden? Think about greenhouse kits.

These greenhouses don’t take long to erect and they are well-made. They are available in different sizes and models and one can be found for almost anyone who is interested in gardening.

If you have a relative who is looking for a new hobby, easy greenhouse kits are a great idea. The whole family may want to go together to finance the gift. Think about how delighted mom, grandma or Aunt Susan would be. Easy greenhouse kits are not just for women, either. You may have a dad or grandpa who loves to garden and would enjoy a greenhouse.

Know someone who is getting close to retirement? If that person is a gardening enthusiast you may want to get the whole office or family together to give a gift of a greenhouse. The easy greenhouse kits are ideal for those just getting started in this hobby. (more…)

There are several ways to plan successful greenhouse heating. Since greenhouses have to let sunshine in, they do not have the same high insulation as other structure such as your home. The greenhouse heating decisions you make are crucial to keep your plants from getting frost bitten during cold nights.

Greenhouse heating should be kept at a constant level. Plants do best when the temperature fluctuates gradually, which is why twin-wall covering is ideal. Greenhouse heating needs to be carefully monitored at all times and in every season.

Heat loss occurs through the covering of the greenhouse on cold, windy and clear nights and this can wreak havoc on your plants without proper greenhouse heating. There are many heaters to choose from to keep your greenhouse at a constant warm temperature. Some may hang from the structure of the greenhouse and others are designed to sit on the floor. It is best to have the heaters at ground level for slower heat loss.

Some heaters have built in fans or distribute the hot air with convection heat. If there are still cold spots in the greenhouse, circulation fans can also help with greenhouse heating needs. There are a variety of fans on the market that will help circulate the air to the places where it’s needed.

Greenhouse heating requires planning. Make sure to consider the location of the greenhouse. If you have a lean-to unit, you might be able to use air from your home. Otherwise plan to wire electricity or bring a gas line to your greenhouse for an energy source for your greenhouse heater. When considering greenhouse heating, you will also have to consider the type of plants or flowers you will be growing. Cool weather crops require far less greenhouse heating than tropicals or tomatoes. So figure out what temperature level you will maintain in your greenhouse. To determine what your greenhouse heater you need, calculate the surface area of your greenhouse and use a greenhouse heating calculator.

Greenhouse heating is one of those areas of greenhouse gardening that requires some planning and calculating if you are striving for success in the greenhouse.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an Oregon avid gardener. You can find additional useful greenhouse information at http://www.greenhousecatalog.com

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There are many great reasons to own a greenhouse. When you have a greenhouse, your gardening hobby grows into a full-time passion! A greenhouse is great for everyone who loves plants whether you have hours and hours to devote to gardening or just a few minutes a week. Here are just some of the wonderful things you can do with your own greenhouse.

1. Winter over your plants!
In just about any area in the country, no matter what your growing zone, there is a plant that sometimes lasts through mild winters, but unfortunately does not make it through a cold snap. With a greenhouse, you can easily save your favorite plants and reuse them the following year. Often it takes very little heat to overwinter these tender perennials. Just add a small electric heater to add heat anytime the temperature dips below freezing. TIP: To save money on heating, be sure to choose a greenhouse with good insulating qualities, like Solexx. (more…)

Have you ever gone to the grocery store in winter and marveled at the price of tomatoes? What is even more surprising is the fact that there even were tomatoes for sale at all! You might have noticed a little notation that read “hothouse tomatoes.” You might see a similar notation on the beautiful bouquets of flowers that grace the cooling shelves in grocery stores even in winter! The term hothouse is just another word for the greenhouses, and greenhouses have become essential to gardeners the world over.

Greenhouseshave been in existence for a long time. In modern gardening, they are used to grow flowers, vegetables, and fruits, even in inclement weather. Other times, the greenhouses are used to get a head start on seedlings even in the midst of winter. This way you will have choice plants for the spring gardening season whereas otherwise you would need to start from scratch with seeds yourself. In addition to the foregoing, without the early seedlings, farmers would also have a hard time getting a head start on some of their crops that may be a major financial setback if not thriving properly.

Quite possibly the most important reasons that gardeners love greenhouses has to do with climate control. Since the climate of the greenhouses is completely controlled, it is easy to have dependable crops without the worry of temperature or inclement weather that can decimate a crop. As you can see, for modern gardeners these greenhouses are an indispensable invention that is here to stay.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhousesand is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful greenhouse information at http://www.greenhousecatalog.com

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Depression affects millions of people around the world. It is considered by experts to be on of the greatest hidden conditions affecting not only the lifestyles of sufferers but also their families, friends and employers. In fact, the condition can last from moments of simply “feeling down” or “a bit blue”, to weeks of worry and complete debilitation.
Depression, What is it?

At its worst, depression is labeled “Clinical depression”. This is best understood as a complete overwhelming emotion of sadness and helplessness. It can also be experienced as a period of utter despair without hope of escape. Sufferers lose the ability to express their feelings at this stage and the spiral continues to draw them into a seemingly endless spiral of fear. In this state, people can lose their appetite, and lose touch with friends and family. Their employment also suffers, and they may be at risk of suicide. In its more minor form depression can be a less intense suffering of the same symptoms or maybe only suffering from on or two symptoms. Nevertheless depression, in any form, is a hidden menace for many people who are not able to deal effectively with their problem because they have difficulty talking about it. They suffer from the feeling of shame and “stupidity” which they attach to their behavior that unfairly keeps this debilitating condition hidden.

Treating Depression With Herbs
Doctors will prescribe a variety of drugs for the depressed patients. Often the side effects of these prescriptions leave the patients with a set of side issues to deal with, such as feelings of sleepiness, lack of clarity or mental focus and loss of libido and appetite. Herbal remedies on the other hand, offer a wonderful alternative that have few if any side effects. Two herbs that have shown great promise are Licorice and St John’s Wort.

Having its origins in Europe, St. John’s Wort contains the vitally active ingredient called hyperforin. Experts recommend a dosage of 900 – 1800 mg a day with a concentration of 3 per cent. This dosage can be altered in accordance with the severity of the condition and will be adjusted by your naturopath.

Ironically, St John’s Wort is classified as a toxic weed because it adversely affects the central nervous system of some animals. Although demonstrating this negative affect in animals, it does not affect humans this way in the slightest, and the herb has been effective in the treatment of depression. Studies have shown that it inhibits the release of Serotonin which is the result that traditionally prescribed medications seek to achieve. Some patients have found this naturally occurring product more acceptable than a drug prescription, and have achieved good results in the treatment of their depression.

Licorice
Licorice has been known for a long time as an effective herbal treatment fro colds, but recently recorded results have shown impressive results in the treatment of depression. Licorice is a natural anti-depressant which contains eight monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

This herb is taken either as a capsule or can be drunk as a tea. There is one cautionary rider to the use of Licorice. If taken in too large a dose or over a lengthy period, there may be side effects like increased blood pressure, headaches and lethargy. It is recommended that licorice be supplemented with potassium capsules and increased water intake to offset the side effects, but in any case you should only use licorice on the advice of a licensed practitioner. Michael is the owner of Herb Magic, the BEST site for all herb lovers. You will also find great herb gardening tips and healthy herb recipes and information at www.HerbWorldBlog.com

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You may be looking for a new watering system or to just update a few of your greenhouse accesories, you will find it in one of three easy to shop places. These locations are a garden center, a greenhouse catalog or online using the Internet.

If you are the kind of gardener who needs that hands on experience than shopping at a garden center is the choice for you. Here you can touch the materials and speak to a garden center representative who can show you the physical differences between this product and that. If however you don’t want to deal with traffic to and from the store as well as wait lines and crowds than try one of our other accessory locations. (more…)

You might be interested in starting a business venture with a greenhouse. You can grow growing bedding plants, cut flowers, herbs or vegetables and sell them in a roadside stand or at a local farmer’s market.

We have customers who have paid for their greenhouse this way in just one season.

If you love working in the soil and growing things you may want to consider a greenhouse business. Greenhouses are the perfect venue for a business.

Greenhouses may be used by someone who wants to make a little extra money or even as a full-time job. You need to be aware that there will be an investment to get started with any greenhouse business. It would be a good idea to make a business plan. Start a greenhouse business plan by reading everything you can find on greenhouses.

Realize that greenhouse businesses also require a large time commitment. This is not an easy business to get started, but if you have time and money to investment, you can be very successful. (more…)

Greenhouses can provide hours of entertainment. Greenhouses are a lovely diversion for people who love to garden and want to be able to do so any time of the year.

Is this delightful diversion worth the time and money? For avid gardeners and those looking for a new hobby, the answer is a definite, yes!

Many people think greenhouses are too expensive. When compared with other hobbies, a greenhouse is often less expensive. Let’s think about the person who loves to fish. There is the cost of a boat, motor and tackle. That’s just the beginning. Or look at the hobby of antiquing. One object can easily cost as much a greenhouse.

Greenhouses are not very costly after the initial structure is built and a greenhouse should last for years. There will be costs involved in the maintenance of the greenhouse as well as heating and cooling it. These costs can be quite reasonable especially when you consider that greenhouses provide year round enjoyment.

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Greenhouses can provide hours of entertainment. Greenhouses are a lovely diversion for people who love to garden and want to be able to do so any time of the year.

There are several questions to ask yourself if you are considering the purchase of a greenhouse. Greenhouses are a wonderful choice for many people and the only person who can decide if a greenhouse is the right choice is YOU!

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you are seriously thinking about buying a greenhouse:

Greenhouses question #1: Do you truly enjoy working with flowers, vegetables or herbs? Are you really sad when the growing season is almost over or extremely anxious in late winter when you are not able to get outside and work? (more…)

Having a greenhouse means you will need to also think about which greenhouse accessories will be necessary.

Take a look at the books that are on the market for people who own greenhouses. Books are great greenhouse accessories and they also make nice gifts for friends and family members who have a greenhouse.

Garden accents add beauty and interest to the greenhouse. There are many of these greenhouse accessories to choose from. A few garden accents make the greenhouse come alive.

A garden cart is a very useful tool in the greenhouse. When you have one of these greenhouse accessories you will be able to move things from one part of the greenhouse to another with ease.

Speaking of tools, these are greenhouse accessories that make work in the greenhouse easier. There are tools for every job in the greenhouse.

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Building a portable greenhouse can be a good activity for the whole family. Decide on a weekend for building the structure. To prepare for this activity, you need to buy your building materials beforehand.

What You Need

There are a number of things that you need to build a good portable greenhouse. First, you will need a design or a plan. You cannot build your greenhouse without any idea of what goes where. Aside from the design, you will need materials. You need some metal, PVC or wood materials for your frame, door and vent. Read some pros and cons of each type of greenhouse framing. Find light-weight materials for your frames.

Remember that your greenhouse is meant to be portable not stationery so you need strong but light materials. Aside from framing material, you will also need UV resistant greenhouse plastic covering material. Research your greenhouse covering options to make sure you pick a covering that is best for your plants. Check the warranty on your portable greenhouse covers as well to make sure you select a covering that will last. (more…)