Sofia Martinez
Plastic greenhouses are a great, cost-effective way to extend the growing season for plants that need a warmer climate. They are cheaper, more portable, and easier to set up than traditional glass greenhouses, but they are less durable and not suitable for internal heat sources. They are perfect for germinating and growing seedlings, as well as growing heat-loving plants to maturity, such as tomatoes, peppers, and aubergines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Lengthening the growing season |
| Advantage | Cheaper, portable, and easier to set up than traditional greenhouses |
| Disadvantage | Less durable than glass greenhouses, not suitable for internal heat sources |
| Suitable plants | Germinating seedlings, growing heat-loving plants to maturity, tomatoes, peppers, chillies, sweet peas, cucumbers, aubergines, cucamelons, okra, melons, salad crops, lavender, snapdragons, lettuce |
| Maintenance | Requires regular watering, staking down to prevent wind damage, and good airflow to prevent fungal problems |
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What You'll Learn
Germinating seedlings
Temperature Control:
Maintain a consistent temperature within the optimal range of 70 to 80 degrees F (21-27 degrees C) during the day. Night temperatures should not fall below 50 to 55 degrees F (10-13 degrees C). Use a thermometer to monitor temperatures at different times and locations within the greenhouse. Seedling heat mats can be useful for providing gentle bottom heat to the growing medium, ensuring warm soil temperatures.
Ventilation and Air Circulation:
Proper ventilation is crucial to prevent excessive heat build-up and remove excess moisture, which can lead to fungal diseases. Open vents or use fans strategically, but avoid creating drafts that can chill seedlings. The plants need a gentle breeze similar to what they would experience outdoors.
Light Requirements:
Provide adequate light for strong seedling growth. If natural light is insufficient, consider using grow lights. Some seeds germinate in darkness, so be sure to follow the specific instructions for the seeds you are planting. Group plants together based on their light requirements, with seedlings needing high light placed closest to the light source.
Watering Techniques:
Water the soil gently, avoiding overwatering or underwatering. The goal is to maintain slightly damp soil without waterlogging. Water early or late in the day to prevent rapid drying. As seedlings grow, they will require more water.
Soil and Fertilizer:
Use a high-quality seed-starting mix that is well-draining and nutrient-rich. Avoid using garden soil as it can be heavy and prone to diseases. Fill clean seed trays or pots with the mix, leaving space for watering. Once seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, begin fertilizing them with a weak liquid fertilizer solution.
By following these tips, you can successfully germinate seedlings in your plastic greenhouse, creating a controlled and stable environment for their growth.
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Growing heat-loving plants
Plastic greenhouses are a great option for gardeners who want to benefit from a greenhouse without the cost. They are significantly cheaper, more portable, and easier to set up than traditional glass greenhouses. They also serve much the same purpose in terms of lengthening the growing season, allowing you to start growing earlier and harvest crops later.
One of the main advantages of a plastic greenhouse is that it provides a warm and humid environment, perfect for growing heat-loving plants to maturity and enabling bigger, earlier, and more reliable crops. However, this warm and humid environment also means you need to be vigilant for fungal problems. Opening the greenhouse during the day and ensuring good air circulation can help prevent this.
Some heat-loving plants that do well in a plastic greenhouse include:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Okra
- Melons
- Cucumbers
- Aubergines
- Sweet potatoes
- Chillies
To get the most out of your plastic greenhouse, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, plants like tomatoes and peppers need heat to ripen, so they benefit from being placed near the sides or back walls of the greenhouse, where they receive additional warmth from the structure itself. Secondly, because plastic greenhouses can get very hot, your plants will need regular watering, especially in the morning so that any excess water has the day to burn off. Finally, to maintain the right temperature and humidity, you can employ a combination of natural solar heating, insulation, thermal mass, heating systems, and smart ventilation. For example, using a shade cloth over the greenhouse can help reflect light and heat, while double-glazed windows or multiple layers of plastic film can enhance insulation.
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Growing young plants and vegetables
Plastic greenhouses are a great way to lengthen the growing season, allowing you to start growing earlier and harvest crops later. They are cheaper, more portable, and easier to set up than traditional glass greenhouses. However, they are less durable and not suitable for internal heat sources.
Germinating seedlings
You can start germinating seedlings from early spring, following the instructions on the packet. Some seedlings may be more successful on a sunny windowsill.
Growing seedlings
You can grow all types of seedlings from early spring. This includes heat-loving plants, which will benefit from the warm and humid conditions of a plastic greenhouse. Just be vigilant for fungal problems and ensure good air circulation by opening the greenhouse during the day.
Tender crops
A plastic greenhouse is ideal for growing tender crops such as aubergines, cucumbers, peppers, chillies, and tomatoes during the summer months. These crops need heat to ripen, so the greenhouse provides a perfect environment.
Exotic, heat-loving plants
You can also try growing more exotic, heat-loving plants such as okra, melons, and even sweet potatoes. These plants will benefit from the warm and humid conditions, but ensure there is good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
Late harvests
Make use of the autumn sun by sowing lettuces, spicy salad leaves, and baby carrots indoors. You can also plant new potatoes for Christmas crops in a heated greenhouse.
Overwintering
Some plants can be sown in the autumn and overwintered in the greenhouse before being planted outside in the spring. This includes broad beans, peas, and hardy lettuce cultivars. Herbs in pots can also be moved indoors to keep them cropping longer.
It's important to note that plastic greenhouses may not provide enough protection during the coldest winter months, so you may need to take them down and store them during this period. Additionally, ensure your plastic greenhouse is properly staked down to prevent it from being caught by the wind.
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Growing peppers, chillies and tomatoes
Growing peppers, chillies, and tomatoes
Peppers
Peppers are heat-loving plants that require light, heat, space, nutrients, and water to grow. They thrive in moist conditions but do not like soggy soil. To check if your pepper plant needs water, feel the top 2 inches of soil—if it feels dry, it's time to water. If it's still moist, hold off on watering to avoid overwatering. When temperatures rise, you may need to water your pepper plants daily, so it's important to ensure there is plenty of air circulation in your plastic greenhouse.
You can grow peppers from seeds or starts. Growing from seeds allows for more choice and control, while buying starts from a nursery saves time. To grow from seeds, follow the instructions on the packet—some seeds may be more successful on a sunny windowsill. If you're growing from starts, simply plant them in their final growing position with about 18 inches of spacing per plant.
Chillies
The ideal time to start growing chillies is at the beginning of February. They need to be in a space with a temperature of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius. If your plastic greenhouse doesn't have a heating system, start the seeds indoors on a sunny, south-facing windowsill. Use several 2.5 cm pots or 15 per tray module, with one seed per pot. Use multi-purpose soil that includes perlite or vermiculite, and don't plant the seeds too deep—gently drop them on the surface and cover them with a small amount of perlite. After planting, water your seeds gently with warm water (20-24 degrees Celsius).
When you transplant your chilli plants, use warm water to avoid shocking them. Over the next week, gradually decrease the water temperature until you reach the ideal greenhouse temperature of 15 degrees Celsius or slightly higher. After about seven to ten days, you'll need to transplant your chillies again into larger containers. Use 20 to 24 cm pots as the final size, or plant only two in each standard grow bag. Chilli plants can get heavy when laden with fruit, so support them with short stakes. When your plants reach 30 to 40 cm, pinch out the main stem.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are also heat-loving plants that need heat to ripen rather than just sunlight. In a plastic greenhouse, you can extend the growing season and produce ripe, delicious tomatoes even when outdoor-grown tomatoes are starting to give up. Remember to water your tomato plants regularly, as plastic greenhouses can get very hot, and ensure there is plenty of air circulation. Remove the bottom leaves of your tomato plants to improve airflow and prevent fungal problems.
Most people start their tomato plants from seed, which isn't too difficult. There are many different varieties of tomato seeds available, offering a range of shapes and sizes.
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Extending the growing season
Plastic greenhouses are a great way to extend the growing season. They are cheaper, more portable, and easier to set up than traditional glass greenhouses. They can be used to create a warmer climate for plants, protecting them from wind chill and allowing more sunlight to reach them.
To extend the growing season, you can start growing 4-6 weeks earlier in the year and continue harvesting later into the colder months. You can also grow vegetables and flowers all year long by protecting them with a simple row cover, grow tunnel, or DIY cold frame. Cold frames can be purchased or made yourself by covering a wooden frame with plastic or glass. They will need to be able to be opened for ventilation on warmer days.
In the summer, you can roll up the side vents of your plastic greenhouse to keep it at a reasonable temperature. In the winter, the sun's rays can still reach the ground and heat the greenhouse to much warmer temperatures than outside. Even on cloudy days, the greenhouse effect can cause temperatures to rise by 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can also extend the growing season by planting in a spot with southern exposure to maximize the amount of sunlight your plants get each day. A house wall nearby can provide protection from the wind and reflect warmth back onto the plants.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic greenhouses are a cheap, portable, and easy-to-set-up alternative to traditional glass greenhouses. They are also a great way to extend the growing season.
You can grow a variety of plants in a plastic greenhouse, including tomatoes, peppers, chillies, cucumbers, aubergines, melons, peas, beans, radishes, beets, kohlrabi, carrots, and turnips.
Plastic greenhouses can get very hot, so proper ventilation and regular watering are important. They are also less durable than glass greenhouses and may not provide as much protection from frost.
Plastic greenhouses typically come with poles, plastic connectors, a plastic cover, and wire racks for shelving. Follow the instructions provided to assemble the frame, secure the cover, and adjust the shelving to your needs.
Start seeds early and provide plenty of light, water, and nutrients. Monitor the temperature and airflow to prevent overheating and moisture buildup, which can lead to mould.
