The Best Way To Use Containers In A Greenhouse

A greenhouse has limited space within which to position your growing containers. Since you want healthy plants, it is important to think through exactly what size pots and bins you will need to fit the plants you want to grow.

Be creative as you plan your plant layout. Here are some thoughts. Don’t skip the step of pre-planning. Your planting space may be a small greenhouse or an elaborate Victorian green house your plants will thank you.

Your first step is to decide exactly what you want to grow in your greenhouse. Only then will you be able to decide what you will use for containers, how many you will need and where they will be placed.

The degree of moisture and soil additives will vary depending on the requirements of each plant at each stage of growth. By using separate containers you will be better able to adjust to the requirements of each type of plant.

Creative Greenhouse Containers

1. You can grow your tallest plants directly into the ground of your greenhouse structure. In an area where there is no potting bench to block the height corn, tomatoes and any other tall plant will do well. You could even plant what is known as a “three sisters” garden. In the soil on the base of your greenhouse create a mound. Plant corn in the center which will become the support for beans which you will plant around the base of the corn and train up the stalk. Around the beans, plant squash. These three elements provide nutrients to one another and aid each other’s growth. Be certain to prepare the soil first and don’t forget the importance of good drainage. If drainage is an issue, make the hold larger than normal and be certain to keep the soil loose.

2. Tub Containers – For your plants that need root space. Tubs work well with bushy plants such as bell peppers or bush beans. If they are deep, then you can try radishes. carrots and other vegetables that grow below the soil.

3. Use deep boxes for any root vegetables. They will need space under the soil to grow so be certain your boxes are deep enough. The space under your greenhouse bench is often under-utilized. This is the perfect area to place your containers that contain root vegetables.

4. Potatoes grow well in Burlap bags. Strawberries will do well if you place them around the sides of the bag. Simply cut small holes and place the plants there. One idea with this type of planting is to cover the entire bag with mulch. Depending on the bag you use, it may not be very attractive. Mulching the entire bag will do a good job of hiding it.

5. Small plastic bottles – these can be tucked anywhere or hung from the frame of your greenhouse.

With plastic bottles you can cut off the top portion of the bottle. Shove it into the bottom of the bottle neck up. This will make for better drainage.

For organic greenhouses, use small glass bottles but be certain to put pebbles in the bottom to enable drainage and air flow.

6. For your smaller plants, choose small pots. They can be placed almost anywhere, depending on the needs of each plant. They can be tucked in between larger planters to utilize every inch of space. Try a glass milk bottle with a small hole drilled in the bottom for drainage. Try cardboard milk cartons instead, terracotta pots or wood boxes.

7. You’ll want to utilize every inch of your greenhouse. Don’t forget the space overhead. If you want to use all the available area in your greenhouse, hanging baskets will work well for any sprawling, dangling plant such as cucumbers, beans and strawberries. Experiment with different plants but be sure to leave space below as they grow downward.

Look around you. If you check around your home you may never have to purchase a single container. You can probably find many vessels of different types around your garage and home that can be used in your greenhouse.

If you’ve always wanted to own your own greenhouse check out the green house kits available. First decide what you will grow in your greenhouse. Are you into vegetables and fruits, orchids, seed starting? If you know how you want to use your greenhouse it will be easier for you to choose which one is the right one.

The better you have planned your greenhouse, the more time you will enjoy spending there. Add containers, move them around, discard ones that don’t work. Your greenhouse will be an ever-changing living, breathing work of art.