Greenhouses are generally enclosed outdoor structures that won’t ventilate entirely on their own. Installing a ventilation system is an excellent way to ensure that your plants are supplied with the proper temperature, moisture level and airflow.

Air circulation – or ‘air movement’ – within a greenhouse, serves many purposes. Proper movement of air within the environment can create uniformity in temperature, humidity, CO2 and oxygen.

Moreover, plants respond better to environmental consistency. Thus, proper ventilation ensures each plant within the greenhouse remains in an optimum growing condition, as well as encouraging pollination.

Many vegetable and ornamental plants – such as wheat, rice, barley, corn, and oats – are pollinated by wind. Movement of air within the greenhouse could also be the determining factor as to whether a plant is pollinated and able to complete its reproduction.

4. Watch Out for Bugs and Pests

There’s no way you can have a garden without seeing some bug visitors, such as bees, earwigs and spiders. Bugs can live in the garden, but don’t let that stop you from gardening. Here are some things to consider:

• Make safe and natural pests control items
• Make a bug hotel
• Encourage pollinators

Poor ventilation means your greenhouse will also be more susceptible to pests, as many insects favour hot and humid conditions to lay eggs. But with proper ventilation, it will inhibit breeding and stop pests entering and leave the greenhouse, better safeguarding your plants in the process.

Note: Outside foliage should be kept away from the greenhouse to reduce the risk of pest contamination.

5. Greenhouse Seed Starting

When it comes to watering your greenhouse crops, there’s a basic rule for beginners, and that is to understand the water requirements of every plant you intend to grow. You’ll also want to make sure you won’t end up over or under-watering your produce.

Signs of inappropriate watering include the following:

• Irregular drying.
• Decreased shoot size.
• Root growth and immature plants with bad quality and shelf life.

Overwatering only happens when watering is done too often, and before the soil has an opportunity to drain. To avoid this, you may want to invest in a good drip system with a timer or dip gauge. This can be utilised to regulate greater or smaller streams of water straight to pots or flat grounds.

The best time to water your plants? In the morning — as it reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation. Watering your crops in the evening will only cause them damage, due to fungal and bacterial diseases.

For newly seeded areas, it’s best to water them often (approximately every couple of days). By late spring, water less often (perhaps once a week) but more deeply, to encourage roots to go down.

Note: Water the roots, not the greenery.