Greenhouse Benefits and Challenges
Protected culture extends growing seasons, improves quality, and increases yields. However, greenhouses concentrate pest and disease pressure while requiring significant investment and management skills.
Structure Selection
High tunnels are unheated structures covered with plastic film. Lower cost than heated greenhouses, they extend seasons by 2-4 months with passive solar warming and wind protection.
Heated greenhouses enable year-round production in cold climates. Evaluate heating costs against crop value - high-value crops like tomatoes, peppers, and specialty greens justify heating expenses better than bulk crops.
Soil and Media Management
Greenhouse soil requires careful management to prevent salt buildup, disease accumulation, and nutrient imbalances. Rotate crops, incorporate compost regularly, and monitor EC and pH levels.
Container production using organic potting mixes provides better control but requires more frequent fertilization and watering. Blend coir, compost, perlite, and organic fertilizers for balanced growing media.
Climate Control
Ventilation prevents excessive heat and humidity that favor disease. Automate vents with thermostats or manual systems requiring daily attention. Shade cloth reduces summer temperatures and prevents crop stress.
Winter heating strategies include efficient heaters, thermal mass (water barrels, stone), double-layer plastic, and strategic crop selection requiring minimal heat.
Greenhouse Pest Management
Monitor constantly - pest populations explode quickly in protected environments. Use sticky traps, regular scouting, and action thresholds to catch problems early.
Release beneficial insects preventively before pest pressure builds. Banker plants maintain predator populations between pest outbreaks. Screen vents to exclude large pests while allowing airflow.