Spring is the ideal time to prepare your greenhouse for planting.
As you begin the process of clearing away last season's plants and preparing the soil, it is important to take steps to ensure that your greenhouse is as fertile and nutrient-rich as possible.
While there are many different ways to prepare your greenhouse for planting, one of the most effective is to add special fertilizers to the soil during spring cultivation.
In this article, we'll look at what you can add to your greenhouse soil to improve its nutrient content and increase yields.
Compost
Compost is a great soil amendment that is easy to apply and adds a wealth of nutrients to your soil. It is made by mixing together organic waste such as leaves, vegetable trimmings, and grass clippings and allowing them to decompose over time.
Compost adds essential nutrients to your soil, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as improving soil structure and promoting the growth of beneficial microbes. In addition to adding homemade compost to your soil, you can also purchase it from garden centers.
Manure
Manure is another natural soil amendment that can add significant amounts of nutrients to your greenhouse soil. While there are many different types of manure, the most common for gardening is the manure from herbivorous animals such as cows, horses, and rabbits.
Manure contains a large amount of nitrogen, which is essential for healthy plant growth. When using manure in your greenhouse, it is important to compost it first to reduce the risk of burning your plants with excess nitrogen.
Bone meal
Bone meal is a slow-release fertilizer that provides your soil with a rich source of phosphorus and calcium. It is made by grinding up animal bones and is a great way to provide your plants with the essential nutrients they need to develop healthy roots and flowers. While bone meal is a great addition to your soil, it is important to use it in moderation as overuse can cause phosphorus to build up, which can lead to soil contamination.
Seaweed
Seaweed is a great natural fertilizer that can add many essential micronutrients to your soil. It is a rich source of nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.
Seaweed also contains alginic acid, which helps promote the growth of beneficial microbes. You can buy dried seaweed at garden centers and add it to your soil during spring tilling.
Peat moss
Peat moss is a popular soil amendment that helps improve soil structure and moisture retention.
This natural product, made from decomposed sphagnum moss, is a great way to improve drainage in heavy soils. When adding peat moss to the soil, it is important to mix it thoroughly to prevent lumps from forming, which can create air pockets in the soil.
