Greenhouse Key Terms

Understand the greenhouse key terms before planting

By Amy Lynn

Whether you plan to construct a greenhouse for personal use orgrow plants and crops to sell, understanding some key terms that apply to greenhouses is a good idea. Greenhouses come in many shapes and sizes, but all require adequate growing conditions for plants.The proper fertilizer, along with good ventilation and heating systems, will yield better plants. Before building or purchasing a greenhouse, learn the important key terms and how they apply to your greenhouse-growing ambitions.

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a way of automatically watering your greenhouse plants. This type of watering system waters the soil, not the leaves, and allows you to adjust the amount of water your plants get and when they get it.
Try: Northern Garden Supply shows pictures of drip irrigation systems and explains the benefits of outfitting your greenhouse with this type of system.

Insect screens

Greenhouse plants benefit from proper ventilation and fresh air, but can be harmed by insects. Insect screens made for greenhouses offer enough airflow for healthy plants, but filter out harmful insects.
Try: Ecologic Technologies offers technical information about insect screens and also gives an outline for proper installation of insect screens.

Mechanical ventilation

While screens and natural airflow benefit greenhouses, mechanical ventilation is also necessary to create an optimum growing environment. Proper installation of fans and thermostats can help control temperatures during winter and summer months.
Try: The National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association gives a detailed description of different mechanical ventilation systems and suggestions on how to install them.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics is used in many greenhouses as an alternate way to grow plants. Instead of using the traditional method of growing in soil, hydroponics uses nutrient-enriched water solutions to grow plants.
Try: How-To Hydroponics gives a detailed description of hydroponics and the benefits of using this method.

Fertilizer

As most gardeners know, different plants require different types of soil and fertilizers. Knowing the proper fertilization methods for different plants in your greenhouse will help you grow healthy, bountiful plants.
Try: Virginia Tech analyzes basic greenhouse fertilizer information and also offers calculations for mixing up stock solutions.

Aquaculture and aquaponic systems

Aquaculture and aquaponic systems go hand in hand. Aquaculture is basically the farming of fish, and aquaponics is a form of hydroponics connected to an aquaculture setup. The fish waste sends nutrients to the plants, and the plants clean the water sent back to the fish.
Try: CropKing gives detailed definitions of aquaculture and aquaponics. It also has photographs of working aquaponics systems.