How to furnish your greenhouse: here's how to do it!
A greenhouse is a wonderful place to start growing earlier, allow heat-loving plants to flourish and enjoy greenery all year round. But even in the largest greenhouse, space can quickly seem limited. Smart organisation is therefore crucial. With the right layout and accessories, you will not only get a higher yield, but you will also make things a lot easier for yourself.
Tip #1: Make the most of the sun's rays
To get the best harvest, a well-thought-out layout is essential. The sun has a big influence on what exactly constitutes the ideal layout. The position of the sun and the location of your greenhouse determine which crops grow best in which part of your greenhouse. Tomatoes and peppers, for example, need a lot of sun. It is therefore best to place these crops on the south side of your greenhouse. On the north side, you should place crops that prefer shade, such as lettuce or spinach.
When planning your vegetable garden, it is best to also consider companion planting. Some plants thrive when grown close to each other, for example by protecting each other from pests or working together effectively to make the most of the soil's resources. But be careful: there are also some plants that should NOT be grown together.
Tip #2: Effective layout
Once you know what crops you want to plant, where best to place them, and how much space they require, it's time to start planning the layout. The best way to do this is still the traditional method: with a map on a sheet of paper.
- Divide the map into squares and assign a crop to each square.
- Remember that you need to be able to access the crops in order to tend to them. So make sure you leave enough space to move around.
- Set aside a small area to store your tools. A foldable rack, for example, is ideal for this purpose.
Extra tip from Marcel
Provide hanging systems and ties for tomatoes, cucumbers and other climbing plants, for example. This allows you to effectively guide them upwards and free up valuable space.
Tip #3: Head for the hills
The space available in your greenhouse is not limited to the floor. You can also use the walls to grow plants, repot plants or store tools.
Shelves, tables and étagères
The floor of a greenhouse is precious. Anything you can lift off the floor creates extra space.
Growing tables
Ideal for: seedlings, young plants, aromatic herbs
Advantages:
- Ergonomic working without bending over
- Perfect for seed trays and seedling trays
- Stable and easy to move
Disadvantages:
- Less suitable for large pots
- Takes up floor space
Shelves / growing racks
Ideal for: small pots, cuttings, herbs, microgreens
Advantages:
- Maximum use of vertical space
- Different levels = more growing space
- Compact and lightweight
Disadvantages:
- The lower levels receive less light
- Not suitable for tall plants
Conclusion:
➡️ Do you have a lot of seedlings or small crops? Opt for growing shelves.
➡️ Do you mainly want a comfortable workspace? Then a sturdy growing table is better.
Consider wall mounting: hanging and storage
Greenhouse walls also offer a surprising number of possibilities.
Hooks for tools and wall brackets
Convenient for storing secateurs, labels, sprayers, ropes, gloves, etc. Keep your workspace tidy and avoid wasting time searching for your tools.
Hanging pots and vertical bags
Advantages:
- Additional space for growing without cluttering up the ground
- Ideal for herbs, strawberries, hanging tomatoes
Disadvantages:
- Requires regular watering
- Not suitable for heavy crops
➡️ Ideal for greenhouse owners who want to make the most of every square inch of space.
Tip 4: Ensure adequate ventilation
Adequate ventilation is absolutely essential for healthy growth. A closed environment promotes the development of fungal diseases, which can be easily prevented with good air circulation.
Make sure you leave enough space between crops and, if necessary, invest in a second door, an additional skylight or a Louvre window. This will reduce the risk of mould and promote healthy growth for your crops.
A fan heater is also a very useful addition. In summer, you can blow cool air for good ventilation. In winter, the heater warms up the greenhouse so that the plants you place there for overwintering can survive the winter effectively.
You can use an automatic window opener to open and close the skylights automatically based on the temperature. This means you don't even have to be there yourself, and your plants still enjoy sufficient ventilation and the right temperature.
Tip #5: Maintain the correct temperature in your greenhouse
As already mentioned, a fan heater is very useful. Some models can be mounted on the ceiling of your conservatory. This allows you to save space.
In addition, shade cloths protect your delicate plants from intense sunlight during the hot summer months. A shade cloth prevents your plants from burning, drying out and discolouring. At the same time, it allows enough light through for your plants to grow well.
To learn more about greenhouses, check out these blogs. 👇
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