Is an Indoor Greenhouse for you?
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Thinking about an Indoor Greenhouse? Great news, the best way to
stretch your growing season and maximising the fruits of your labor is
by putting up an Indoor Greenhouse. This is especially true in the case
of properties in colder parts of the country where some plants may
struggle to get a foothold in the soil. A greenhouse with temperature
control provides a fantastic opportunity to grow vegetables, fruit and
flowers
throughout the seasons without the worry of an attack of frost or
insects killing off your crop, so it's worth considering an indoor
greenhouse when you come to choose your next indoor model.
It's quite easy for a DIY enthusiast to build one yourself,
or you can
simply buy a kit and assemble it at home. So you're probably wondering
where you should put your greenhouse? Some people install an indoor
greenhouse in a basement or maybe even a loft space. Essentially
anywhere there's room will work so long as there's enough sunlight
available for your plants growth. You can purchase special portable
greenhouses that will fit onto a patio or balcony with all the benefits
of natural light but without taking up any of your usable space. This
is especially ideal for flats or smaller homes.
Many people use these greenhouses for growing perennials in the winter
so they can enjoy salads and herbs through the coldest months without
resorting to the expensive and often aged supermarket options. If care
is given to heat, light and humidity, tropical plants will thrive too
so if fruit and vegetables aren't your thing, tropical unusual plants
can be! Some plants will yield more in artificial light than in natural
light. If you have outside space, plants can be relocated in the garden
from the greenhouse when the spring sunshine bursts through.
An important thing to decide is the type of covering you want. The most popular materials are glass, fibreglass or polyurethane. Glass greenhouses are the most efficient in capturing the light and they are easy to heat. A ventilation system gives good control over the humidity and temperature, avoiding the problems of overheating or exposure to frost. Glass is particularly suitable for short growing seasons and plants can be started in early spring or in late winter. Greenhouses with a polyurethane covering are usually the cheapest option and are easy to install. This type of cover doesn't let the light through as much as glass, so it's not as appropriate for planting early in the season. Condensation can appear as the temperature rises. This choice is a good general purpose one and fits most budgets. The fibreglass option gives a more stable indoor greenhouse than polyurethane but its light efficiency is less than either plastic or glass.
If placed inside, fluorescent light will do the job of natural light but it needs to be carefully monitored according to the growers' instructions. Plants will grow through the winter at a night temperature of 55 degrees F. Too much heat in the summer can stop growth, as with the tomato, which stops growing around 90 degrees F. Hydroponics (growing plants in water with nutrients instead of soil) is a popular method for indoor greenhouses. Whichever type of greenhouse and plants you choose, you will benefit from healthy and tasty produce at all times of the year, straight from your indoor greenhouse to your table.
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An important thing to decide is the type of covering you want. The most popular materials are glass, fibreglass or polyurethane. Glass greenhouses are the most efficient in capturing the light and they are easy to heat. A ventilation system gives good control over the humidity and temperature, avoiding the problems of overheating or exposure to frost. Glass is particularly suitable for short growing seasons and plants can be started in early spring or in late winter. Greenhouses with a polyurethane covering are usually the cheapest option and are easy to install. This type of cover doesn't let the light through as much as glass, so it's not as appropriate for planting early in the season. Condensation can appear as the temperature rises. This choice is a good general purpose one and fits most budgets. The fibreglass option gives a more stable indoor greenhouse than polyurethane but its light efficiency is less than either plastic or glass.
If placed inside, fluorescent light will do the job of natural light but it needs to be carefully monitored according to the growers' instructions. Plants will grow through the winter at a night temperature of 55 degrees F. Too much heat in the summer can stop growth, as with the tomato, which stops growing around 90 degrees F. Hydroponics (growing plants in water with nutrients instead of soil) is a popular method for indoor greenhouses. Whichever type of greenhouse and plants you choose, you will benefit from healthy and tasty produce at all times of the year, straight from your indoor greenhouse to your table.
