Growing Tomatoes in a Greenhouse
If you are considering growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, there are a few things you are going to need to know. You will have to determine the size, what it will be primarily used for and type.
First you will need to determine the type of greenhouse you want. If temperature is the main factor with the plants you would like to grow, there are three available greenhouses to choose from.
Hot Greenhouses’ temperatures are maintained at a minimum of 65 degrees. Hot greenhouses are primarily used for exotic or tropical plants.
Warm Greenhouses’ temperatures are approximately 55 degrees. This temperature is more suited for growing typical garden plants, such as the tomatoes we are discussing.
Growing Tomatoes in a Greenhouse
The third type of greenhouse is a cool greenhouse, or frost free greenhouse. This greenhouse will maintain temperatures at 40-45 degrees. This is perfect for seedlings, or plants that do not need warmth to survive. A cool greenhouse is perfect for starting plants that you will move to your garden in the summer months.
Next you will have to determine what kind of structure you will want to build. There are also three types of structures: lean-to, detached and ridge and furrow (or gutter connected).
The Lean-To structure is used primarily for hobbyists because of the size restrictions.
A detached structure is a structure that stands on its own. The Quonset is the most popular type of detached greenhouse because of their arched rafters and solid walls that support it. Quonset greenhouses are ideal for growing most crops, however because the growing area is limited to the area around the side walls, efficiency and productivity is diminished.
The Ridge and Furrow greenhouse is attached at the lower edges of the roof by a gutter. This absence of a wall below the gutter allows for more efficiency.
You can also determine the type of greenhouse by the material they are made of. This can be glass, plastic or fiberglass.
Many problems can arise from growing tomatoes in a greenhouse. The same greenhouse that transforms your seeds into giant, lush, fruit-bearing plants can also escalate problems. First, you must remember that hotter isn’t always better. You will need to keep the greenhouse at a constant temperature through venting. If your greenhouse gets too hot, your tomato plants may have problems with pollination or burn.
Another problem is keeping the humidity at a constant level. Although humidity will not harm your plants as fast as overheating will, dampness can cause permanent damage to your plants.
Air circulation is critical in your greenhouse. When the air is stagnant, the humidity rises and diseases thrive. Fans and venting will help maintain the circulation.
Be vigilant in pest control. When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse you need to continually be checking your plants for any signs of aphids or other pests is critical to the health of the plants in your greenhouse.
Lastly, be sure to keep your plants as healthy as possible. This will help them survive the occasional rising heat and invading pests. Be sure to feed and water your plants daily, avoid exposing them to pathogens like nicotine, and keep your greenhouse as clean as possible.
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