The Ultimate Guide to Growing Plants in Your Garden and Greenhouse

Gardening and Greenhouse guide

Did you know that a third of all American households are growing plants in some type of home or community garden? This is a 200% increase since 2008.

And it’s not just retired boomers getting in on gardening, millennials have seen a 63% increase in joining with the gardening fun.

If you’ve ever been curious about gardening there isn’t a better time than now to dive in. And if you seem to have more questions than answers, then you’re in the right place.

We’ve put together a complete guide to gardening and greenhouses just for you. So, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how you can join your neighbors in digging into gardening.

Growing plants in your garden

There are several ways you can enjoy growing plants in your garden. And with a little effort, you’re sure to create an oasis that can be enjoyed for years to come. There are several types of gardens you can create and each allows you to plant many different types of plants to enjoy.

First, you need to choose the spot you create your garden. Then analyze the aspects and features of your chosen location. Is it especially shady or sunny? Is it lower than the rest of your yard? Will you use it year-round or only in the summer?

Rain garden

Do you have a sloped yard or section of your property? Then you could benefit from creating a rain garden. This is achieved when you create a small garden at the lower level of your yard to collect rainwater for your plants.

Sidewalk planter boxes are a great example of collecting water from the sidewalks and guiding them to the plants instead of the sewage system.

You can also utilize runoff from your rooftop or gutters to collect water for your rain garden. This helps to keep excess water from collecting near your home and causing damage to the foundation.

So, if you have a depressed area in your garden, use some river rocks and piping to collect the water and guide it to your new rain garden. Some examples of moisture-loving plants include sedges, iris, foxglove, and asters.

Shade garden

Are you looking to create a cool oasis away from the hot sun this summer? Shade gardens provide shade for not only you but for many plants that also love the shade.

If you’re lucky enough to have a stand of trees in your garden already you can create a lovely place to escape the heat this summer. Otherwise, you can create your shaded garden by planting trees or using shade cloths.

Once you’ve chosen your location, you can start to choose your plants and accessories. Plants that love the partial sun include soapwort, western wood lily, ferns, and bluebells. Plans that love full shade include foxglove, primrose, and coral bells.

You can also round out your shade garden by accessorizing with benches, walking paths, and even a hammock. So, next summer you can plan to enjoy a good book and cold beverage in your beautiful shade garden.

Landscape garden

Landscaping can be a fun way to utilize different areas and features in your yard. If some parts are shaded and other parts are sloped you can use the features of landscaping to create an amazing and varied paradise.

By incorporating grassy areas with planted areas along with features such as paths and sitting spaces you can create a landscape that could be worthy of a Monet painting.

Professionals and amateurs alike can create an escape from reality by exploring the benefits of a landscaped garden. And while they might take a bit of care and maintenance, the benefits last year after year.

Depending on your climate and ability to maintain such an undertaking, the serene atmosphere that comes from a landscape garden is well worth the extra work. So, get started creating your plant list, determining their locations, and designing the Eden you’ve always dreamed of.

Summer garden

Depending on your climate, you might not be able to enjoy your garden year-round. If you find yourself stuck inside all winter, then start planning for how you can create a summer garden to enjoy those warm months.

Planting a summer garden entails planning to choose plants that don’t need as much water. You can also plan ahead by incorporating an automatic watering system. Some plants such as cucumbers and squash love the heat and will do very well in your summer garden.

Again, if you have a lower location within your garden, place the plants that need the most water there. This way in the summer months they can collect any run-off from sprinklers or other automatic water systems you have set up.

If you want to enjoy your garden year-round but don’t have the ecosystem for it, consider building a greenhouse.

All about Greenhouses

When you want to grow your garden year-round, a greenhouse is the best solution for you. You can enjoy your garden through all the seasons without worry about the elements or the climate in which you live.

Some benefits of using a greenhouse include:

  • Protection from the seasons
  • A longer growing season
  • Ability to have a more diverse group of plants
  • Plant protection
  • Raised planters so you protect your back and knees
  • Ability to keep it organic without worry about pests, bugs, or underground rodents
  • Save energy by utilizing the sun when you want it and shades when you don’t

As you can see there are many benefits to using a greenhouse. Don’t limit yourself to your existing climate or short growing season. Choose to add a greenhouse to your garden and you will reap the many benefits listed above.

Choosing a greenhouse

To get started, begin by deciding what your goals are. Are you going to create a small area where you’ll start your seeds in the spring and then transplant outside in the summer? Or will you be creating an entire vegetable garden that will supply your family with the necessary food year-round? These will require different sizes, locations, and building materials. So, begin with your goals.

Then, just as with our garden, you need to decide on your location. Finally, you choose the materials and size of your greenhouse. A glass greenhouse can protect you from terribly cold winters if you live in a northern climate. While polyurethane materials provide a cost-effective solution that can be quick to build so you can start enjoying your garden much sooner.

If time is a limiting factor, you can choose to purchase a ready-made greenhouse and there are plenty of great products available. However, building your greenhouse can be rewarding as well as cost-effective.

The garden greenhouse

Creating a garden getaway in your greenhouse can be rewarding both for the mind and the body. Gardening can be a relaxing hobby, but for those in colder climates, it is usually limited to a few short months. With a greenhouse, you can extend your growing season and enjoy the benefits of gardening year-round.

Some plants do better in a greenhouse. But the fact of the matter is that you can grow virtually anything as long as you supply the right conditions. With an indoor garden, you can control the temperature, amount of water each plant gets, along with the amount of light each plant receives throughout the day.

From heating to shading, and from ventilation to intricate watering systems, when it comes to your greenhouse garden you’re only limited by your imagination and ingenuity.

Greenhouse interior

Inside your greenhouse, you can create a maze of intricate shelves, tables, and work-spaces. Or you can choose to keep it minimal and efficient in your design. How you choose to create your garden space is as personal as you are.

As you accessorize your greenhouse, consider creating work-spaces that are at your height level so you don’t have to bend over as much. Extra shelving and potting benches make your greenhouse experience so much more enjoyable. As does adding seating options and a small table to bring your water bottle or favorite cold beverage.

Your greenhouse interior can become everything you’ve always dreamed of by adding those personal touches that make it your own.

Best types of greenhouse plants

Some of the best greenhouse plants include decorative flowers as well as nutritional fruits and vegetables. Here are a few of our favorites:

Flowers:

  • Petunias
  • Chrysanthemums
  • Impatiens
  • Sunflowers
  • Pansies

Fruits:

  • Strawberries
  • Peaches
  • Raspberries
  • Lemons

Vegetables:

  • Tomatoes
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Peas
  • Cucumbers

When it comes to growing your garden inside your greenhouse, you can essentially grow whatever your heart desires. All you need is to provide the right conditions for your plants and then nurture them to success.

With the power of a greenhouse, you’re in control by using automated water systems, providing proper shading conditions, and controlling the temperature.

Garden maintenance tips

Now that you’ve started your dream garden, you need to maintain it. Year after year, your beautiful garden will provide you with enjoyment, shade, and even food. But only if you keep it up and give it attention.

Each year in the late fall and early winter, after the first frost, head out and prune your trees and shrubs. Each year in the summer plants store up energy to get them through the winter. When you prune away the dead and extra branches you allow the remaining plant to utilize all the energy stored up. This will provide a beautiful and healthy plant in the spring.

Nobody likes digging out the weeds, but it’s important to provide the most healthy environment for your plants. Controlling the weeds allows your plants to have full access to the soil nutrients water and sunshine they need to flourish.

Don’t get rid of all your pruned or extra plant material. Decaying mulch can provide amazing nutrients for next year’s blossoming garden. Let the natural process and life cycle take place and you won’t need to spend as much on purchasing soil in the spring.

These garden maintenance tips can help you see success year after year in your garden and greenhouse.

All your garden answers

Some common questions we’ve heard about growing plants in your garden and greenhouse include:

  • Where can I find inspiration?

Look all around you. Go for a walk in your neighborhood or around your community. Peruse the internet and social media for inspiration from others. You can find inspiration all-around when you’re looking, so pay attention while you’re on your next walk and let your imagination guide you.

  • How can I create a great design?

    The design doesn’t have to be intricate or elaborate. Think about how you want to use your garden space. Do you enjoy sitting out in the evenings getting a few extra minutes of sunshine? Or do you prefer to sit in the shade enjoying a good book? Answer these questions to guide you in your design choices.

    • How often should I water?

      Every plant will have its individual needs and preferences when it comes to watering. The best way to give your garden the correct amount of water is to focus on groupings of plants. Put your water-loving plants together in a rain garden. And keep your cacti and succulents on a shelf away from being exposed to too much water.

      • Do I have good soil for a garden?

      The best way to know this is to get your hands dirty. Get out into your yard or the space you want to create your garden, then use a small hand trowel to dig down a few inches. Run your hands through the dirt and see for yourself. Do you see signs of life such as insects and earthworms? Or, is it dry and crumbly or worse, a muddy mess? These are signs of whether or not you have good soil. But there isn’t anything you can’t fix with some love and attention.

      • Do I need to provide additional plant food or nutrients?

        Just as with people and pets, plants need nutrients as well. Water and sunshine will go a long way, but adding some sort of fertilizing component can help your garden grow beautifully. From a simple compost pile to an intricate chemical liquid fertilizing system, you have many choices for how to feed your plants these days.

        • What if I have a small space?

          Your small space can still provide you with a beautiful garden. You can create a container garden on the balcony of your apartments. Or you can grow a serene succulent garden on your kitchen counter. Don’t let your small space limit your imagination. Plants provide serenity in a chaotic world, add some to your space, and improve your atmosphere immensely.

          • What if I don’t have much money to spend?

            While there are many expensive gardening tools and toys, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy your garden. You can build your own greenhouse with PVC pipes and polyethylene film. You can find great containers around your home or in your local thrift store. Don’t limit yourself just because you have a limited budget. In fact, you might find you enjoy it more as you put more love and attention into your garden project.

            Stay cool in your garden today

            Gardening can be an enjoyable and therapeutic hobby. Growing plants in your garden or greenhouse can not only provide you hours of relaxation but also nutritious food for your family.

            Don’t sit on the sidelines any longer wishing you could grow the garden of your dreams. Use this information to start planning and creating your garden oasis today. Plus, be sure to bookmark this page as you’ll want to refer to it again and again.

            We are here to help you along your gardening journey. You can find many of the accessories you need to provide the perfect environment for your flourishing plants. From shading and cooling to feeding your garden, we’re here for you.

            We started our company to bring you quality products that offer simple solutions to keep you cool. You can read more about our story here and we hope you continue to join us on our journey to make life more enjoyable and, of course, a little cooler.