First Greenhouse

[sharon.bender]

With spring coming, we are preparing to build our first greenhouse.

My first question is: When building the greenhouse, should I plant into the soil in the ground or fill a container with dirt and plant in there above ground?

My second question: Would I ever need to bring the plants inside or would they be okay outside at all times. Pittsburgh temps can get below freezing even in early spring! I have an electric heater that I can put out there. Is that a better bet?

Thanks!

Sharon

 

[Mickey328]

Can't help but will be watching...we've been thinking about a small greenhouse too but we've no experience, so hoping to glean some info here

 

[897tgigvib]

Sharon, welcome to the forum!

Make sure you remember your log in and stuff.



I used to work in a greenhouse nursery in Montana when I lived up there.

There are a lot of different kinds of greenhouses, and for different uses too.

I'm guessing your greenhouse is rather small if you can heat it with an electric heater. A large greenhouse would get real expensive to heat electrically.

Yes, you can plant directly in the ground in a greenhouse. It becomes like a covered garden, vegetable and or decorative. A place of refuge for plants and persons, when the plants are in the ground inside a greenhouse. Your grow season is extended, and if well heated, does not end.

You'll have a lot more to think about. You'll notice the moisture and humidity in it in winter, all year actually, but almost like rain in it in winter.

In summer you'll notice the extreme heat. DEFINITELY HAVE SEVERAL THERMOMETERS IN IT. 2 in the shade and one right in a sun spot so you know how hot it really gets for the plants in it. Ventilation will be the issue.

So much to consider, but do enjoy! We'll talk on it as issues progress.

 

[ducks4you]

 

[897tgigvib]

About your second question Sharon, though not quite clearly asked, I know what you mean.

You'll have shelves of some kind in there for plants in containers. Many of those you'll want to take outside the greenhouse when the weather is suitable, and bring back in for winter. That's one of the beauties of a greenhouse. You can keep that Gardenia or other tender plants in it in winter and take them back out when the weather warms back up.

So, yea, you'll be moving plants in and out. You'll have the details about each plant type to figure on. Some like shade, some dry air, some just sleep in winter. In Montana we used to "babysit" customer's plants in winter. A tree Mr. Lincoln Rose, a lot of Geraniums, things like that. We also brought in some of the borderline tender plants for our zone from the outside beds. We also, I should say mostly me, did a lot of propagating in winter in the greenhouse...

 

[Smiles Jr.]

Hi Sharon and welcome to the garden.

While I don't do it, you can certainly plant things directly in the ground inside the greenhouse. My greenhouse is used to start plants in containers in the late winter and early spring to get a head start on the growing season.

Your Pittsburgh temperatures are probably too cold to keep things growing safely all winter but with the use of artificial heat you might be successful. Greenhouse size and construction will determine that.

Please don't be a stranger here - we're a pretty good group and welcome new folks.

 

[sharon.bender]

the flowers(50-60 degrees) were planed in basement about one month ago. They are finally beginning to grow. Should I keep them in this temp? or will they die in cellar? The temp in cellar stays around 50 degrees. thanks for your output before. you were very helpful I live in zone 5-6 -in pgh pa. sharon.bender30@gmail.com

 

[HunkieDorie23]

Welcome Sharon! I just started with the whole greenhouse deal. Last year I used two raised beds hoop houses and I loved them. This year I now have a greenhouse. It is a 6x8 harbor freight greenhouse. I am planning on using it for different things. One to start seedling in, to extend my growing season and to grow things that don't do well in this zone (rosemary). I am going to put in shelves for the seedling but I am also planning a small cold frame where I can overwinter lettuces and the like. I am also going to use hoop houses again because it really gives me a jump on my season.

If I were you I would sit down and try to figure out what you want to grow and how long you want to grow it. Then you can plan for your greenhouse. My brother has no desire to garden in the winter. He says that by the time the frost comes he is ready to be done for the season.

 

[897tgigvib]

Sharon, it's ok to be more specific about things like what kinds of flowers you started in your basement.

If those are Pansies or Violas they will absolutely enjoy those cool temps, as will sweet Peas. If they are Dahlias or Zinnias they will soon languish at those temps. All that is presuming they have good light.

I would soon try to get them to warmer temperatures.