Grow Room vs Greenhouse
There is no such thing as a universal gardening method that works for every grower. Fortunately, many options are available for varying abilities, spaces and budgets. You might be keen to grow your produce outdoors or have plans to set up an indoor grow room. Either way, careful consideration is required when choosing the method that’s right for you.
Greenhouses and grow rooms have a lot in common. They are both indoor methods of cultivation that allow you to control growing conditions in terms of heat and humidity. However, they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Greenhouse Advantages
The multipurpose environment of a greenhouse is perfect for tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and more. Many gardeners have a greenhouse alongside their outdoor plot to cultivate plants that favour warmer temperatures and ample light exposure.
As temperamental as the UK weather may be, having the sun as your primary source of light is totally free. Growers may wish to add additional artificial light sources during periods of low natural light, but for the most part, the sun’s rays provide an adequate six hours per day.
British winters are harsh. Having a greenhouse will enable you to grow certain plants all year round. By rotating your crop with seasonal produce, your greenhouse remains productive during colder months while your outdoor garden may be struggling to produce a few cabbages or parsnips.
Confining your plants to a greenhouse will shield them from pesky intruders such as squirrels and mice, who love to nibble on shoots and seedlings. Keeping your greenhouse clean and as airtight as possible will limit the number of unwelcome guests.
Greenhouse Disadvantages
Upon acquiring your property, you may have been lucky enough to find a greenhouse already standing proud in your garden. If, however, you’re starting from scratch, building a horticultural glass greenhouse can be pricey. Alternatively, you could opt for a Polyethylene greenhouse, which won’t set you back quite as much.
Although a greenhouse will shield your plants from most animals, they are not sealed environments, and there may be access points for smaller, more insidious pests. Extra precautions are needed to circumvent spider mites, glasshouse whiteflies, caterpillars and slugs.
Ultimately, your plants are at the mercy of the elements - bitter winters and sweltering summers. Don’t be complacent; although your plants are technically indoors, you will still need to be vigilant in regulating inner temperatures.
Growroom Advantages
A grow room is a controlled growing environment within a specialised tent or area of your home. With the use of a grow tent kit, heater and grow lamp, you can cultivate a variety of plants by tailoring growing conditions down to minute details.
The primary advantage of a grow room is versatility. By controlling temperature, humidity levels and light exposure, you can promote healthy plants and increase your yields throughout the year.
Unlike greenhouses, grow rooms are sealed environments, making them inaccessible to pests that may damage your produce. In the unfortunate circumstance that you notice signs of spider mites or aphids, natural pest control such as neem oil is effective and should be successful within the sealed microcosm of your grow room.
The indoor growing market is ever-increasing with products and accessories to ensure the health and well-being of your plants. Reflectors to spread light evenly and pH metres to read the strength of hydroponic nutrient formulas are just a few of the products you may find helpful.
Growroom Disadvantages
The equipment and kit you need to start up a grow room can amount to a hefty price. They can also cost a lot to operate and maintain. However, if you plan on launching a business to sell your produce, these costs will eventually even out. Many commercial growers utilise grow rooms for large-scale operations.
Grow rooms amount to high energy costs due to artificial climate control. If you’re passionate about energy conservation, a grow room might not fit your lifestyle.
The size of your yields will depend on the size of your growing environment. If you have the space for a large grow tent or plan on assigning an entire room within your property, chances are, your yields will be plentiful. If your grow tent is relatively compact, you could purchase shelving units and take advantage of vertical space.