Introduction
The pull of fresh, home-grown vegetables is an allure too tempting to resist!
For many of us, this isn’t just about food, it’s about providing for our family, embracing self-sufficiency, and connecting with the earth.
As I embarked on this gardening adventure, I realized that to truly harness the power of nature, a greenhouse would be my trusted ally.
What is a Greenhouse?
At its core, a greenhouse is a structure, often transparent or translucent, designed to create an environment where plants can thrive, regardless of external weather conditions.
It captures the sun’s energy, regulating temperature and humidity to provide a controlled space for plant growth.
Why I Chose a Greenhouse for My Garden Adventure
- Extended Growing Seasons:
By enabling me to control the environment and keep the inside temperature higher, it will allow me to grow my fruits and vegetables for longer. Especially with the addition of grow-lights that I am planning to setup.
Also, with unpredictable weather patterns in our area, it offers a sanctuary for plants, allowing for cultivation beyond the usual seasons. - Protection from Elements:
Shielding delicate seedlings from harsh winds, rains, or even pests becomes effortless.
Spring and autumn gets fairly windy in our areas, with occasional showers. This home will make it easier for me to control the growing conditions that the plants are exposed to.
While summer is very hot and dry, so being able to control the humidity means I will use much less water. - Versatility:
From tropical plants to classic vegetables, a greenhouse is versatile enough to host a diverse range of flora. This opens a lot of options and I look forward to trying out what works best for us.
Setting the Stage: The Dome Greenhouse
We started by leveling the area I chose and then laying down some stone pavers that I am repurposing. I decided to start my journey using hydroponics and container based growing methods for this iteration of the greenhouse.
As an added benefit, I am hoping that the stone pavers will absorb heat during the day and keep the temperatures more constant during the colder evenings.
As the steel frame of my white dome greenhouse began to take shape, a sense of anticipation filled the air. It took just over an hour to assemble and you don’t need to have an engineering degree to setup this kit we got.
Covered with strengthened plastic, this structure promises durability while allowing optimal light for plant growth. The dome shape not only adds aesthetic appeal to my garden but also ensures efficient heat distribution, a crucial element for nurturing plants.
I chose a steel frame for the greenhouse, as our weather conditions would damage the PVC alternative. It was more expensive but I was glad I spent the extra money, as a week after putting the greenhouse up, the highest recorded weather warning for Cape Town was issued.
a Huge storm ripped through South Africa and at 3am I found myself frantically mopping up water in the house from leaks and as I went to check on the greenhouse, I found it had been picked up and turned over by the strong winds.
The frame and the cover was still intact, thankfully.
Starting Small but Dreaming Big
We are starting this journey by the sprouting of lettuce and tomatoes. These two choices might seem simple, but they are the foundation upon which I will build my garden empire.
The tomatoes present an opportunity to experiment with the Kratky method (a no-pump hydroponic system) using a bucket, while the lettuce will find its home in a 36-hole hydroponic system, ensuring they receive the nutrients they need without soil.
Looking ahead, the greenhouse will also play host to Swiss chard, broccoli, cucumbers, and even container-grown potatoes. Each plant introduces a new chapter in this gardening saga, with its challenges and triumphs.
(I will link progress on each of these back here, so it is easier to follow the progress.)
The Greenhouse Promise: Expectations vs. Reality
While the greenhouse offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to approach this journey with open eyes.
When I started looking into it, I had questions, that I plan to answer in articles here.
Some examples of the questions I had:
What types of greenhouses are there and which are right for me?
What types of problems are there in a greenhouse and how do I troubleshoot them?
Will a greenhouse improve the yield of my produce?
Will the chosen methods maximize productivity?
How do I use my greenhouse sustainably?
What planning and layout designs work best in a greenhouse?
What Greenhouse Heating and Cooling Techniques are there?
On top of these questions, we will also explore things like:
Integration of hydroponics into my greenhouse
Themed Greenhouses
Introducing gardening to kids and educational uses of a greenhouse.
Only time will tell…
However, the journey itself, filled with learning and discoveries, promises to be as rewarding as the destination. I really look forward to exploring these questions and topics and sharing what I have learned.
Join Me on This Greenhouse Odyssey
This article is just the beginning.
As I dive deeper into the world of greenhouse gardening, there will be tales of successes, lessons from failures, and countless tips for fellow gardeners.
From tweaking the greenhouse setup to experimenting with new cultivation methods, our collective knowledge will grow alongside our plants.
We will be sharing parts of our journey on a regular basis, so please make sure to registered for our newsletter or follow us on our social accounts to get updates. We really look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Conclusion
Embracing the greenhouse way of life is not just about growing food. It’s a commitment to sustainable living, an experiment in nature’s lab, and most importantly, a journey of discovery. I invite you to walk this path with me, from seed to table, as we uncover the magic of greenhouse gardening.
Stay tuned for more updates on my greenhouse journey, as we explore the Kratky method, hydroponic systems, and much more.
