Complete guide to starting your first greenhouse garden

Do you dream of growing your own vegetables but don't know where to start? A greenhouse is the perfect solution for beginners who want to enjoy abundant harvests throughout the year. In this complete guide, we show you how to transform your first greenhouse into a productive and healthy garden.

Over 15 years in the industry has taught us that success doesn't lie in having complicated equipment, but in understanding the basics. And believe us, they're simpler than you think.

Why grow in a greenhouse?

Advantages vs outdoor cultivation

In a greenhouse:

• Controlled temperatures
• Lower water consumption (30-50% savings)
• Protection against pests and diseases
• Access to light for longer periods
• Year-round cultivation
• Any climate is possible

Outdoors:

• Total climate dependence
• Higher pest risk
• Higher water consumption
• Limited growing season
• Variable harvests

The reality is simple: a greenhouse gives you total control over your plants' environment. And that means better, more consistent harvests throughout more months.

First steps: soil preparation

Before you start

1. Choose a location - Maximum 6 hours of shade - Soil with good drainage - Protected from strong wind - Easy access to water

2. Prepare the soil - Clean the area (no weeds) - Level as much as possible - Turn over the soil about 30 cm deep

3. Create planting beds - Height: 30-40 cm (reduces back pain) - Width: 1.2 m (easy access) - Spacing: 60 cm (work path)

The perfect substrate

You don't need regular garden soil. For a greenhouse, prepare a mix like this:

• 40% fertile soil
• 30% homemade compost
• 20% sand or perlite (drainage)
• 10% additional organic matter

Recommended depth: 40-50 cm for most crops

Essential tools for beginners

You don't need to spend a fortune. With these basic tools you can start:

Essential

Tip: Invest in quality tools. Cheap ones rust and break. A good rake lasts 20 years.

Planting calendar for February

February is perfect to start. Temperatures are cool (ideal for germination) and you have the whole spring ahead.

What to plant this week

Directly in soil (quick germination):

• ✓ Lettuce - Harvest in 60-80 days
• ✓ Arugula - Harvest in 30-40 days
• ✓ Spinach - Harvest in 50-70 days
• ✓ Radish - Harvest in 25-30 days (fastest)

In pots (transplant later):

• ✓ Tomato - Seed now, transplant in April
• ✓ Pepper - Seed now, transplant in May
• ✓ Eggplant - Seed now, transplant in May

7 key tips for beginners

1. Watering: more important than it seems

Golden rule: Consistent moisture, never waterlogged

• Water early in the morning
• Once a day in winter (February)
• Soil moist like a wrung-out cloth, not a sponge
• Touch the soil 5 cm deep: wet? Wait. Dry? Water.

2. Natural light is free (use it)

• Keep the greenhouse clean (increases 20-30% light)
• Open windows when temperature exceeds 24°C
• Green, leafy plants = enough light
• Pale, stretched plants = need more light

3. Don't do everything at once

Plant in phases:

• Week 1: Arugula + Radish (quick harvest = motivation)
• Week 2: Lettuce (medium harvest)
• Week 3: Tomatoes (long-term, patience)

4. Ideal temperature in February

• Day: 18-24°C (open windows when it exceeds)
• Night: 12-18°C (cooler is normal)
• Never below 5°C (plants die)

5. Space between plants

Let your crops breathe:

• Lettuce: 25-30 cm between plants
• Tomato: 50 cm between plants
• Pepper: 40-50 cm between plants

6. Label everything

Trust me: in 3 months you won't remember what you planted where. Use labels with:

• Crop name
• Planting date
• Variety (if you have it)

7. The greenhouse is NOT magic

It's still agriculture. If you don't water, they don't grow. If you don't control pests, they appear. The greenhouse only facilitates the process.

Common problems in early weeks

Seeds not germinating

Cause: Cold or dry soil Solution: Warm soil (20-25°C) and moist like a wrung-out cloth

Pale/yellow plants

Cause: Lack of light or nutrients Solution: More natural light + add compost to substrate

Fungus on leaves

Cause: High humidity + poor air circulation Solution: Open windows, reduce watering, space plants apart

Realistic budget to start

With that you have a productive greenhouse for the entire season. Each kilogram of homegrown tomatoes you harvest pays back the investment.

Next steps

This week: 1. Prepare the substrate 2. Plant arugula and radish (quick germination) 3. Label clearly

Next 2-3 weeks: 4. Plant lettuce and spinach 5. Plant tomatoes in pots 6. Water consistently 7. Open windows when warm

End of month: 8. First lettuce and arugula ready 9. Radishes ready to harvest 10. Tomatoes will start growing

Conclusion

Starting a greenhouse garden is more accessible than ever. You don't need money, just willingness to learn by observing your plants.

Plants speak to you. Learn to listen:

• Yellow leaf = something's wrong
• Slow growth = something's missing
• Vibrant green = you're doing well!

In our 15 years we've seen thousands of enthusiasts become successful gardeners. Most had no prior experience. All they had was the desire to learn.

You can too.

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Questions or doubts? Contact our team without obligation. They respond in 24 hours.

Next post: "5 fast-growing vegetables for your winter greenhouse"

If you want to get started, the Model I polytunnel is our most popular choice for home gardens — easy to assemble and with 48h delivery.