Soil Preparation Suggestions for Greenhouse Gardening

If you ask ten self-proclaimed gardening consultants for soil preparation tips for greenhouse gardening, you’re likely to get a minimum of eleven different answers. This is essentially due to the fact each gardener has their unique personal tricks on how to best prepare soil. It is usually because the tips that work best will vary significantly, depending on what you’re wanting to grow in your greenhouse.


With that said, here are some basic strategies for preparing the soil in your greenhouse which will work nicely for most applications:


Dig up a minimum of six inches of soil every year. This is particularly essential if you are planting directly into the ground. When planting right into the ground, use a hoe or spade to weaken six inches if not more of soil before mixing up with potting soil and fertilizer. Even if you're using planters, you'll want to make sure the soil is completely worked to allow optimum drainage.


Make generous use of rapid draining potting soil. Potting soil can be acquired commercially, and can just be combined in with your loosened topsoil during ground prep work. Additionally, if you do a small amount of research you'll find the best combo of quick draining soils, such as peat, sand or loam. Mixing the right soil with an organic compost (equal parts works the best for most applications), you should add four inches of the combination to the loosened soil. This provides both high quality soil nutrients and great drainage for your greenhouse garden plants and flowers.


Use the right style of fertilizer. Though it may be beyond our scope to propose the right variety of fertilizer for every application, you should be aware that various kinds of plants do better with various types of fertilizer. Always remember seedlings need different fertilizer than older plants.


If you’re not certain what kinds of fertilizer are fantastic for your particular greenhouse garden application, investigate the plants online or chat with your local nursery about which fertilizers perform best with what you are growing. Typically, it's encouraged you mix fertilizer into the first inch of dirt the day before you plant.


Always remember to water the soil prior to when you plant. As with many procedures, the precise amount you'll want to water depends on what you will be growing. Most often, it's encouraged you water about one inch the day before you plan to plant.


If you’re not sure of what is most effective, ask around. Frequently, the best sources for unique soil preparation tricks for greenhouse gardening are individuals that are already enjoying the fruits of successful greenhouse gardening in your area.


About the Author:
Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. You can find additional useful information about greenhouse gardening supplies and greenhouse supplies at The Greenhouse Catalog.