Greenhouse Support

Student Greenhouse Managers

In some school greenhouses there is a "manager," typically an adult who does most of the monitoring, watering, fertilizing, and other greenhouse management work. But other programs encourage students to become proficient at various aspects of monitoring, managing, and working in a greenhouse, and designing their own investigations stimulated by their own questions. With suitable support and references, they can assume responsibilities as caretakers and problem solvers.

An important part of successful greenhouse gardening (and one that will lead to a particularly important set of skills for students) is regular monitoring. Keep an air thermometer, a soil thermometer, a hydrometer (for humidity), a maximum/minimum thermometer, and record-keeping materials handy. Students will hone skills as they collect weather data and apply the information to managing the greenhouse. Encourage them to discuss how to maintain temperatures between 45 and 75° F, keep the humidity in a comfortable range, or otherwise maintain a plant-friendly environment.

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