5x5 ft greenhouse... help a newbie!

[ohiogoatgirl]

i'm new to the forum but i'm not new to gardening. but i am new to greenhouses... got a 5x5 ft wide and 6.5 ft tall plastic from lowes. i'm in ohio. for my seed starting time list i've collected the latest i can put it up is in mid february. but of course feb. is when we usually get hit with snow. like a mild winter and all that snow gets saved up for feb. storms... so i will likely put up boards inside for extra support. i've started seeds before in those little mini-window-greenhouses... but things didn't work out and that years garden was a bust...

so any tips for a greenhouse newbie?
thanks!

 

[vfem]

I chose to start my seeds inside and then move them out to the 'mini greenhouse' when everything is already going strong. When I feel certain the worse of times has passed. It may be a good idea for you as you are much further north then I am. You probably have another month or more to get it up and start your seeds to move out to it.

I'll think time is on your side still.

p.s.-

 

[journey11]

ohiogoatgirl

Definitely put a thermometer out there and keep an eye on your temps. Too cold to start things in the greenhouse for you right now, but you can start them inside and move them out there when the conditions are right. Once the sun comes out and the nights are not so cold, your greenhouse will really heat up during the day. In cool, spring weather you need something to help hold in solar heat. Mulch the floor with dark colored mulch, black plastic, etc. Some people paint water bottles (filled with water) black to hold thermal mass and give back heat at night. Just a few degrees higher can make a big difference to the plants.

Get some lamps and start your flats of seeds indoors. I use plug-in fluorescent shop lights I got for about $15 each at Walmart. They've got to have that light to grow properly. Once the weather is more agreeable, you can move them into the greenhouse to take off growing and you'll get your jump on the season.

My county ag. extension puts out a garden calendar each year that gives guidelines for when to start different things indoors. Your's will be able to give you some guidance tailored to your region too. (Look for them in the gov't section of the phonebook or usually they will have an office where ever your county fair is held.)

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

well, right now the snow is melting a tiny bit and the temp is 31.3* F and its almost 6o PM

i'll be keeping my eye on the temp and i think i'm gonna put it up around mid-feb.

have two window seed starter things but haven't got anything in them yet. don't have enough sunny window space!!!

can't wait for spring!