Greenhouses – everything you need to know

Putting on gardening gloves and tending to plants is also perfect for unwinding! A good thing is that the Norwegian Directorate of Health also believes you can count gardening towards your daily physical activity. Everyone needs at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day, and gardening is in many ways perfect, says the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

Having your own greenhouse isn't just practical in terms of growing your own food and reducing grocery costs (you can easily grow berries, fruits, and vegetables yourself). It's also a great hobby where you can show off your green thumb. But which greenhouse should you choose? Here are some tips!

If you have a balcony or a small garden, you can get a smaller greenhouse or a mini-greenhouse. These also have low energy costs. Greenhouses are especially useful if you want to grow plants and flowers before transplanting them into pots. Plants that are particularly suitable for smaller greenhouses are tomatoes, cuttings, and herbs.

If you have a larger garden and want to grow many and perhaps exotic plants – or maybe vegetables – you can benefit from going for a larger greenhouse. Here, everything is in place for interior design, such as automatic watering systems for specific plants, smart storage solutions, hanging baskets, and automatic ventilation.

Have you perhaps been dreaming of having your own greenhouse for a long time? Then it's time to make your dream a reality. Start by learning the basics about temperature, watering, and correct placement:

• Placement of the greenhouse
  Where is the best place to put a greenhouse? A large garden can easily accommodate a larger greenhouse, which allows for better airflow. If you have a smaller balcony, you should go for a smaller greenhouse.
  
  
• Placement of the plants
  Place your plants in a suitable location. Some plants require more shade, while others want plenty of sun – such as strawberries and tomatoes. Consider investing in sun protection to be able to give the plants shade when needed.
  
  
• Control the temperature
  The ideal temperature in a greenhouse is 28–30 degrees Celsius, otherwise you risk that some plants may wilt and die. Always have a thermometer in the greenhouse so that you have control. This is especially important in the summer months.
  
  
• Heat source
  Protect plants that are sensitive to the Scandinavian winter weather by putting a heat source inside the greenhouse. You can put a fan heater in the greenhouse and perhaps even a frost guard to be on the safe side.
  
  
• Plant lights
  If the greenhouse is located in a shady area, or if some plants need extra sun, you can benefit from getting a plant lamp. The lamps also provide nice lighting if you spend a lot of time in the greenhouse – for example, in the evenings.

A greenhouse is a place for well-being – both for you and your plants. Think about how many plants you want to plant, so that you have sufficient storage options and work surfaces. Do you have enough ceiling height to be able to work the way you want? Do you need electricity or water supply in the greenhouse?

Ask yourself these questions before you buy the greenhouse – then you'll avoid unexpected expenses or double work. Good luck!

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