Are you a novice gardener looking to create a successful vegetable garden? Building raised beds is the simplest way to get started. This article covers the construction and upkeep of a raised garden bed.
You can quickly build a raised garden in no time. Typically, you accomplish this by building an enclosure or frame from materials such as dressers, hay bales, stone or wood. After construction, you'll still have to take care of and maintain it.
So, how do you go about building one? This post teaches you everything you need to know to build a raised bed greenhouse cabinet quickly and affordably. Read on to find out.
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How To Create A Greenhouse Cabinet Yourself
A greenhouse cabinet is the best solution for caring for and displaying indoor plants. It provides a controlled climate and an attractive display for various indoor plants. A greenhouse cabinet's warm, humid environment is ideal for tropical plants. The cabinet also lets in light while shielding your plants from frost and animals that might inadvertently step on them or consume them.
Before building your greenhouse cabinet, you'll need the following items.
- General Items: zinc paint, double-sized tape, cable management box, zip-ties, humidity-resistant décor
- Necessary Equipment: Glass-paned cabinet, grow lights, fans, a hygrometer, and a thermometer.
- Humidity Control: humidifiers, weather-sealing tape, and humidity trays
- Storage: Wire racks or shelves, wire baskets, risers, and wall-mounted planters.
Now that you have all the requirements, you can follow the guide below to construct and maintain a DIY greenhouse cabinet.
1. Acquire A Glass Cabinet.
The initial step is to obtain a cabinet. Your cabinet will depend on your personal tastes, DIY expertise, budget, and quantity of plants. When constructing, metal and glass should be used instead of wood. This is because wood tends to rot and disintegrate over time owing to excessive humidity.
2. Select The Varieties Of Plants.
Tropical plants are among the plants that thrive in a greenhouse cabinet. This is due to the fact that they do well in high-humidity conditions. If you are not a fan of the plants, however, you can go for alternatives such as cactus and veggies. Typically, any plant should do work. You should, however, avoid plants that thrive in cold or dry climates.
3. Drill Holes To Plug Your Equipment In
You'll have to drill holes in a hidden corner of the metal base to accommodate the equipment's cords. You should ensure that you do this before you assemble the cabinet. For added protection, rust-proof any exposed metal in the hole with zinc or rust-resistant paints such as Rustoleum. You can also add a rubber liner or a grommet to protect your hands from the exposed edge. This is, however, optional.
4. Incorporate Grow Lights Into Your Cabinet
To create the optimum environment for your greenhouse cabinet, there are three things you have to consider.These include lighting, humidity, and airflow. Additionally, if the cabinet is in a dark and shaded spot, you should consider adding grow lights to your greenhouse cabinet after installing it. You should also ensure that your lighting is not too intense.
Too much light might burn plant foliage. Attaching a timer to the cabinet will give you more control over the amount of light the plants get. If you want to go further and find the best lighting for your plants, consider purchasing a light meter.
5. Maintain Ventilation
As previously mentioned, air circulation is the second most crucial aspect which prevents fungal infections and rot. To get the best ventilation for your crops, you can mount small fans using zip ties throughout the entire greenhouse cabinet. You should also ensure that the fan’s lowest setting is sufficient. Additionally, make sure you open your cabinet for approximately 10 minutes every other day to let in fresh air.
6. Maintain Humidity
You will require a thermometer and or hygrometer to monitor temperature and humidity. If you need to enhance the humidity, especially during dry conditions, you can use a small humidifier or humidity trays with heating mats as needed. In winter, humidity tends to drop, so make any necessary modifications. Another essential tool to have is a weather-stripping tape.
It closes gaps in the cabinet to prevent humidity from escaping. This is, however, optional if the cabinet is already quite tight. The ideal humidity level is often between 75 and 80 per cent. As some humidifiers may measure wrongly, it is essential to use a hygrometer to determine the appropriate humidity level. More control is preferable here.
7. Sort Out Your Shelves
Once the cabinet has been assembled, it is time to order the shelves. Although unnecessary, some designers prefer to substitute wire shelves or grids for conventional glass shelves. Wire grids or pegboards allow you to optimize vertical space and are commonly used to exhibit micro plants and propagation tools. Wire shelves can also be used to increase ventilation.
8. Handle Cable Management
With so many wired accessories, exposed wires distract from the aesthetic appeal of your greenhouse cabinet and can become tripping hazards.It is, therefore, necessary to conceal them with a cable management box. Add a power strip with a timer and a surge protector to monitor your grow lights, fans, and humidity. This will alleviate anxiety and make the cabinet more manageable.
9. Cabinet Maintenance
Regularly clean your cabinets by wiping them down and ensuring that water does not pool at the base. Open your cabinets every other day or when you observe condensation forming to let in fresh air. Root rot, a significant problem in gardening, can be prevented by using fans to enhance ventilation, selecting plants carefully, and attending to each plant's specific needs. Regularly inspect foliage and soil for pests.
Conclusion
As with any raised bed garden, a greenhouse cabinet is simple and inexpensive to construct. It has many benefits, including the ability to seed. It also makes controlling insects simple and provides excellent soil for your plants. Greenhouse cabinets are also aesthetically pleasing and can be used to exhibit rare and exotic plants. That's it. Now you know how to build and maintain a greenhouse cabinet.