Quick Answer:

Worm castings naturally fertilize plants and support beneficial bugs like fungus gnat predators, but excess moisture and nutrients can also lead to algae growth—use well-draining soil, sticky traps, and fans to balance greenhouse conditions and protect seedlings.

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Pests, Worm Castings and Algae

What are Worm Castings?

Before we get to greenhouse gardening algae, let's talk about a shopper on Amazon that complained about bugs in her worm castings. If you don’t speak garden lingo yet, worm castings are simply worm poop. They are mixed with soil in garden beds or in pots to make tomatoes grow faster, stronger and healthier. And just in case you missed the memo, worm poop comes with bugs of its own. The good ones.

Quick Answer:

A sensible greenhouse gardening plan involves growing only what you love, measuring and planning seed orders carefully, using the greenhouse for propagation and early starts, managing heat for both cool and warm crops, and scattering quick-growing plants to maximize space and productivity year-round.

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Greenhouse Growing is Planning for the Future

I am eating a lot of Kale and Bok Choi from my cool Greenhouse Garden right now.  The winter-sown spinach is suddenly starting to explode as the days get longer too. There are still a few beets and carrots in the greenhouse and the season of overlapping crops is about to begin.  This is a normal life with a greenhouse growing.

Quick Answer:

Start tomato seeds in mid to late March with bottom heat, provide strong light and nutrients early, and move them into your greenhouse once temperatures consistently stay above 10°C (50°F); maintain airflow and prune lower leaves as fruit sets to optimize harvest into fall.

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So Many Tomatoes, So Little Space

Greenhouse tomato growers are rightfully confused when they see so many kinds of greenhouse tomatoes for sale. Karen Olivier, an independent tomato breeder from the Secret Seed Cartel, estimates there are 20,000 kinds of tomatoes listed right now and she is adding to that number by breeding new tomatoes every year.

 

As with any company, there are many people, vendors, and supporters that make up the fabric of your success.  When I started at BC Greenhouse 10 years ago, they shared with me the story of Erik Davis and it was a pleasure to talk with Russ and Aarron Davis to get the full history of our Vancouver Island connection.  It’s clear that Erik Davis was one of the remarkable people that changed the course of our company.  Erik was a bricklayer by trade who lived on the Island and he was known for his love of gardening. The president of four garden clubs, Erik was familiar with BC Greenhouses and had met Don Vale who was an installer with BCG.  Erik purchased his first greenhouse in 1981.

Quick Answer:

What Are the Best Tips for Soil Amendments & Nutrients in a Greenhouse Garden?
Optimizing greenhouse soil requires building “super soil” by blending quality soil-less mix with compost, biochar, and worm castings, plus adding essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and micronutrients through amendments such as seed meals, lime, kelp, and gypsum. Recognizing nutrient deficiency signs—like purple leaves from low phosphorus or brown spots from potassium shortage—helps timely fertilization and soil management, ensuring healthy plant growth and improved crop flavor. Regular soil amendment and fertilization tailored to plant needs foster vibrant, productive greenhouse gardens year-round.

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Importance of Soil Amendments & Nutrients in Greenhouse Gardening

A few years back my greenhouse tomato leaves were purple, yellow and spotted. Not all at once, but over time and on different leaves. It was the second year I was growing in my greenhouse and the commercial potting soil I bought was low on phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. The leaves on the plants were telling me what was going on. And it didn’t look good.

Quick Answer:

Can You Move a Greenhouse Multiple Times?
Yes, a well-designed greenhouse can be disassembled and relocated multiple times without compromising its durability or plant environment. Charles Russ, a loyal B.C. Greenhouses customer, successfully moved his greenhouse five times over 30 years, praising its sturdy construction, adaptable features, and exceptional customer support. This demonstrates that investing in quality greenhouses ensures long-term flexibility and lasting value for gardeners on the move.

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Read our customer's story about moving his beloved greenhouse five times

Thank you once again, Kyle, for taking the time to look after me yesterday. I did, again, appreciate so much your thoughtfulness in assisting me with my own reconstruction dilemma of a few weeks ago. As with everyone there, you showed such warmth and kindness, and as always, I am away with such a good feeling of support and confidence about my maintenance of my beloved little greenhouse.

Quick Answer:

What do I need to know when preparing a greenhouse foundation? Every greenhouse needs a solid, level foundation—typically wood or concrete—built to exact dimensions for proper fit, stability, drainage, and long-term success. Why is foundation planning essential for greenhouse performance and longevity? A well-prepared foundation supports structural integrity, ensures easy access to utilities, accommodates local conditions like slope or shade, and sets the stage for efficient growing and maintenance.

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Do all greenhouses require foundation?

The simple answer is YES

Over the years we have had hundreds of greenhouse-related questions and many of them are related to foundations.

Quick Answer:

How Can Warming Soil Help You Rush the Growing Season and Speed Up Crop Growth? Warming soil with electric heating cables prevents freezing, creates a heat reservoir that radiates warmth to plants, and accelerates seed germination and crop growth, enabling gardeners to start hardy and heat-loving crops earlier in the season for faster, more productive harvests.

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Is patience a virtue?

Some gardeners wait for the sun to gently warm the soil before they start their garden. Others are impatient.

Quick Answer:

How Do I Grow Arugula in My Greenhouse From Seed to Salad?
Arugula is an easy, hardy winter green that thrives in cool greenhouse conditions, reseeds itself naturally, and requires minimal pest control with simple mesh covers in spring. Growing your own arugula lets you enjoy fresh, flavorful leaves and edible flowers all winter long, perfect for salads or toppings. Understanding its growth cycle helps you maximize harvests and incorporate this nutritious green into your seasonal meals confidently.

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My go-to recipe

My potluck arugula salad is sprinkled with jewel-toned tropical pomegranate seeds. My neighbour Barbara is excited and quickly tells me how much she loves the bitter taste of arugula. So I tell her I grow arugula as a winter crop and now she is all ears.

What is the Best Soil for Greenhouse Growing?

Quick Answer:

What is the best soil for greenhouse gardening? The ideal soil for greenhouse growing balances drainage, nutrient retention, and microbial activity—making custom blends like loam, triple mix, or super soil more effective than natural or bagged top soils. Should you use bagged soil or soil-less mixes in a greenhouse? While convenient, most bagged top soils and soil-less mixes lack essential nutrients and structure for long-term crops, so combining them with compost or organic amendments is key. How can you create high-performance soil for greenhouse plants? Blending your own triple mix (one-third soil, compost, and peat) or upgrading to a nutrient-rich super soil with worm castings, biochar, and trace minerals provides a strong foundation for healthier plants, richer flavors, and vibrant blooms.

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If you are new to gardening and think growing is just a matter of adding water, you're in for a surprise. With terms like super soil, triple mix, natural soil, and even soil with no soil—it's no wonder new gardeners feel overwhelemed. So how do you choose the right soil for strong, healthy growth? And how do you get the most flavorful food and the brightest blooms?