Preparation & Cultivation

• 1). Inspect your greenhouse and prepare it for the coming planting season. Insure that all your equipment on which you will rely is in good working order. Check your irrigation system (even if it's just a watering can). Check to make sure all the lights work and replace any burned-out bulbs. Ventilation is important, so inspect your windows and see to it that they open and close easily. Screening is necessary to keep out bugs, so repair any holes or tears. Check that the planters are sturdy. If you are planting in the winter, set up a heat source. If it's summertime, stock up on shade cloth to protect your plants from the heat of the midday direct sunlight.
  
  
• 2). Mix your soil according to your vegetables' preferences. Some vegetables prefer the soil to be more acid, while others do better in a higher alkaline soil. According to The Garden Helper, the soil should be organic, nutrient rich, and drain well. Drainage is very important in growing vegetables. The soil should be free of stones or any other foreign materials. Mix in the fertilizer according to the directions given with your soil and according to your vegetables preferences. Do not scrimp on the soil, this is your most important medium and you should get a high-quality, brand name soil for this project.
  
  Spread your soil out evenly in your planter boxes. Your soil will need to be anywhere from 12 inches deep to only 4 inches, again, depending on your vegetables. For example, tomatoes require 12 inches depth of soil, while beets only require 4 inches.
  
  
• 3). Dig holes in your soil beds anywhere from 6 inches apart to 18 inches apart. According to the Colorado State Master Gardener Extension Service, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower need to be 18 inches apart. But carrots can be planted only 3 inches apart. Carefully check the requirements on the vegetables you have selected and be sure you have the right dimensions both on the depth of the soil and the distance of the plants from one another.
  
  
• 4). Water your plants according to their needs. Check to make sure they are draining properly. Also, insuring their sunlight needs are met is important to the success of your vegetable plants. Most vegetables need at least six hours of full sunlight every day in order to thrive. If you are growing in the summer, watch your temperatures and use a shade cloth when necessary so your plants do not overheat. The temperature in a greenhouse should be maintained at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature goes over 80 degrees, be sure to ventilate the greenhouse and mist your plants to get the temperature down. If the temperature drops below 35 degrees, you need to use a heat source.