polytunnel greenhouse – Lake Mary Gardens

This year, I have the polytunnel greenhouse loaded up with all the canna lilies I care about, featuring a vibrant array of colors that will soon bloom, and we are also growing a delightful variety of tomatoes and peppers as well, ensuring a bountiful harvest that will not only enhance our meals but also bring a sense of fulfillment and joy to our gardening experience as we nurture these plants through the cold months ahead.

I began pest control from day one of closing the greenhouse door. It is wise to be mindful that a cozy environment created for your plants is also loved by insect pests, especially during that crucial period when most beneficial insects are dormant and not present to maintain the natural balance. Regular inspections and monitoring become essential; by being proactive, I can identify potential pest problems before they escalate. Using a variety of preventive measures, such as companion planting can further deter unwanted visitors. I am companion planting by scattering marigold seeds near my peppers and tomatoes to deter nematodes and other pests. Additionally, integrating organic pesticides helps create a healthier growing environment, ensuring my plants thrive while minimizing harm to the ecosystem within the greenhouse.

We have had extremes of weather this week. We very rarely see snow. Last week I taped the windows and stuffed foam in the door and this week we are opening the greenhouse front and back with the temperatures getting almost 90 F. We always take the cover off April 1st since it will be way too hot in a polytunnel to grow anything. Then we use the area as a container garden with trellises. Watch the video to see the details.

To make an oil soap spray take a gallon sprayer and add 2 Tb cooking oil and 2 Tb castille soap and mix well. Test leaves first and wait a few days to make sure the spray will not burn your plants. Also, I never use this kind of oil spray if the temperature is over 80 degrees and I spray in the evening. The idea is to get the pests under control in the greenhouse during the winter. Beneficial insects will emerge and take over some of the pest control chores during summer. I switch to using only the soap and spot spray isolated infestations if I don’t see predators sitting right next to them!