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Posts Tagged ‘national greenhouse co.’

Eating Healthy During The Winter With Your Greenhouse Kit

March 15th, 2011

The cold winter can affect more than our moods and aching backs. Dieting has always been a battle during the winter months, mostly due to the convenience of less healthy, ready-made foods; and the lack of quality seasonal produce at the market that our bodies benefit from in the summer. However, with a lot less effort than most think – you can enjoy the comfort, convenience and health benefits of having produce readily available nearby in your own greenhouse kit.

With some proper attention to detail, a greenhouse kit in the winter can provide all of the benefits and satisfaction of a greenhouse garden in the warm weather. Here are some important tips and facts to consider when growing herbs, fruit and vegetables in the winter with your greenhouse kit:
- Consider an artificial light source to compensate for darker days during the winter months
- Occasionally wipe-down the interior walls of the greenhouse to allow more sunlight in
- Have a back-up heating plan in case your primary source of heat breaks down
- ‘Patience is key’ but consider that if results are not being achieved, you may want to re-work your arrangement(s), heating method or even plant new or different crops
- Research the proper method(s) and time periods to plant certain crops. Lettuce and Spinach, for example, hold true through cooler planting months like January while Tomatoes and Cucumbers are better suited to a late-winter month like April
- Replenish tired soil with composting from the previous summer’s harvest
- Speak with an expert about air ventilation and routinely monitor it

Some of the easiest and more popular vegetables to grow over the winter are: Arugula, Cabbage, Sweet and Hot Peppers, Chives, Broccoli, Garlic, Lettuce and Asparagus. These vegetables, among many others, are able to thrive in cooler settings because the plants do not require much more care than adequate water, modest sunlight, relatively warm temperatures, and good-quality soil. The variety of vegetables and fruit able to grow over the winter in greenhouse kits still require individual maintenance needs, yet boast well for success if properly attended to.

There are incredible communities of gardeners out there who are just like you! Share ideas on how to make the most of your greenhouse kit over the winter. Discuss tips and strategies for achieving better crop results with local experts and connect with others over social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

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Growing Rare and Tropical Plants in Your Home Greenhouse

March 8th, 2011

Cultivating rare plants is a rewarding activity that has a number of personal and environmental benefits. Aside from the enlightening task of caring for plants, growing certain species can help to keep them off endangered plant lists. With a home greenhouse kit, gardeners can admire the beauty of rare colours and shapes while playing a part in conservation and biodiversity.

In order to properly care for plants foreign to your greenhouse kit environment, you must research and simulate the native growing conditions of those respective species. Temperature, light, air ventilation, maintenance and proximity in relation to other plants are important factors that influence the health abundance. Remember that specific types of plants cannot properly adapt to conventional soil mixtures and instead require solutions like 3-part soil to 1-part sand and peat. More commonly, tropical plants will only flourish in soft soil beds.

Ferns, Begonias and Orchids are just some of the easily accessible tropical seeds available at your local greenhouse supply depot. Popular Ferns such as: Maidenhair, Staghorn and Boston thrive in humid, low-lit conditions. Begonias, native to South America, Africa and Asia will spoil you with year-round blossoms if they are properly nourished in shaded areas. Orchids are delicate and need frequent ‘misting’ to sustain health; humidity trays are an excellent method to help ensure this.

Palms, Bamboos, Jasmine, Hibiscus Flower, Lantanas, Gardenia, Ginger and Citrus Plants are able to sustain with relatively low maintenance in less favourable conditions. These are some plants that a less-skilled (yet no lack in passion) gardener can achieve great results with. A great tip to help boost the results of your winter garden is to seal-off any unused area of your greenhouse kit. This will help you more accurately control variables such as heat, ventilation and moisture.

Above all, when considering tropical and rare plants in your greenhouse kit plans, it is important to conduct research and understand the needs of the individual plants. Cater your greenhouse kit environment to properly suit the needs of your rare and tropical plants. Investigate local botanical policies and speak with local gardeners about rare and tropical plant sustainability and cultivation. Connect with other passionate gardeners in your area and share ideas on how to better enjoy your gardening experience.

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