Can You Just Put Your Greenhouse Directly on the Soil?

Close to the Earth, Good for Plants

When a greenhouse is on the soil, the plants inside can really benefit. For example, in a greenhouse growing tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, the plant roots can grow deeper into the soil. That's because the soil has minerals, organic matter and other nutrients that release slowly for the plants to use. Also, the water in the soil can be taken up by the roots through capillary action. And don't forget about the helpful little creatures in the soil like earthworms. They improve the soil structure and make more nutrients available, so you might not need to watcher or fertilize as much.

A Budget-Friendly Option

Building a foundation for a greenhouse can cost a lot. If you're making a medium-sized greenhouse and choose a concrete foundation, you'll have to buy materials, hire workers, and maybe rent equipment. That's a big expense. But if you just level the soil in your garden and put the greenhouse on it, it's much cheaper. Say you buy a polycarbonate greenhouse kit and use a few tools to prepare the soil surface. It's perfect for those who want to enjoy greenhouse gardening at home without spending too much.

The Downsides to Keep in Mind

Poor Soil Drainage

If the soil doesn't drain well, there can be problems. If it's clayey soil under the greenhouse, clay has tiny particles and water drains slowly. After a heavy rain, water can pool under the greenhouse, like a little pond. If you've got delicate plants like orchids or certain succulents in there, their roots can rot from being in the water too long. This affects the plants' health, making their leaves turn yellow and wilt. In bad cases, they might even die. Plus, the wet soil can make the greenhouse structure wobbly as parts might sink unevenly. But you can put a layer of coarse sand or gravel under the greenhouse and dig drainage ditches around it to help.

Weeds and Pests

When the greenhouse is on the soil, weeds and pests can be a nuisance. In a greenhouse with herbs, weeds like dandelions, crabgrass, and chickweed can grow through the ground gaps and compete with the herbs for sunlight, water, and nutrients. This messes with the herbs' ability to make food through photosynthesis. And pests are trouble too. If you're growing strawberries, nematodes in the soil can harm them, making the strawberries grow poorly with yellow leaves and fewer fruits. Slugs can also crawl in from outside and munch on lettuce leaves or young seedlings, leaving holes. You can control weeds with mulch or weed barrier cloth and deal with pests by using organic pest control products or setting traps.

Uneven Settlement

Sometimes, the soil settles unevenly. In areas where the soil moisture changes a lot with the seasons, like in spring when one side of the greenhouse soil gets more rainwater than the other, that side can sink. Then the greenhouse frame might tilt. If it has glass panels, the uneven pressure can crack or break the glass. In places with freeze-thaw cycles, the soil expands and contracts, and over time, different parts of the soil under the greenhouse settle at different rates. Check the greenhouse's level regularly with a spirit level. If it's uneven, use small wooden pieces to level it. You can also put down a layer of compacted gravel or geotextile under the greenhouse to spread the weight evenly.

So, while putting a greenhouse directly on the soil has its perks, we can't overlook these potential issues. Before setting up your greenhouse, check the soil well and take proper steps to prevent or fix problems. And don't forget regular maintenance.

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