Having trouble in your greenhouse paradise? Don’t fear. No matter the problem, there are many ways to prevent and remedy almost any greenhouse issue.
Companion Planting
Nature is very good at knowing how to address balance, so it should come as no surprise to learn that she also has her own pest control systems. Companion planting works on the idea that planting certain flowers or herbs alongside other plants or vegetables will reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
This is an excellent, natural way to help manage pests within your greenhouse. Tomatoes are a popular greenhouse-grown fruit that often suffer from greenfly and blackfly attacks. To help repel these pests, you can plant French marigolds at the base of the plants. The scent of the marigold wards off most pests.
Mice
Mice can be problematic in greenhouses, able to do untold damage to plants in the space of a few hours overnight. The scent of elder is thought to deter mice, and a small common elder shrub can be easily planted and kept in a pot inside a greenhouse.
If you’re not too squeamish then you can also leave down humane traps for mice and rats. However, you will need to release these animals at least a mile from ‘home’ in order to make sure that they don’t return.
Ants
If all or part of your greenhouse floor is directly onto soil, you may experience a problem with ant nests. Peppermint, bay leaf, garlic, penny royal and spearmint are just a few herbs and plants that are recommended to keep ants at bay. You can either plant the herbs directly into the ground, keep in pots, or make up a solution using water and essential oils/extracts from the herbs.
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is important if you’ll be using and reusing the same soil year after year. If you plan to buy new potting soil from your local garden supply center each year (a very expensive option), this won’t matter to you. Even if enriching your soil with compost is part of your regimen, switching between plant families will limit their exposure to diseases and pests.
- Keeps the soil healthy, reduces diseases & pests
Growing the same plants year after year in the same location depletes the soil of certain nutrients. Different kinds of plants have different nutritional needs . For example, fruit bearing plants such as tomatoes are heavy nutrient feeders. Legumes, on the other hand, put nitrogen back into the soil through the process of nitrogen fixation. Growing varying plants allows for nutrients to rebuild within the soil.
Pests and diseases tend to target one family of plants. Growing plants of the same family in the same plot year after year increases the likelihood of disease and pest problems. Diseases can contaminate the soil and pests can lie in wait for the next season's crops. Switching between plant families helps to break the cycle of disease and pest problems.
- Sample cycle - changes crop family with each rotation
This ensures that your soil is getting a long enough break between each family in order to replenish their particular needs.
- Crop families
Legumes: peas, beans, edamame, lentils
Root: onions, turnips, carrots, garlic, beets, sweet potatoes
Leaf: lettuce, collards, kale, spinach, cabbage, arugula
Fruit: cucumbers tomatoes, squash, eggplant, peppers, melons
