When you grow in a greenhouse are bugs and weeds a lot less of a problem?
They are a lot more problems
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A LOT more problems unless you’re willing to do a systemic soil drench every now and then🫠or find ways to troubleshoot quickly.
I had a MASSIVE aphid infestation in my last greenhouse and could never get enough ladybugs in to eat them all. Not to mention the spidermites and flea beetle that managed to get in. I scraped everything in half a season. Will try again with a bigger greenhouse and not crowd myself so much in it😅mine was 10x5 and was my first attempt at growing every leafy green variety that i thought sounded cool
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More problems with things usually controlled by flying predators, i.e., mites, scale, aphids, and some people have ant problems to go with those. Fewer problems with larger pests that tend to fly in (caterpillars, beetles, stinkbugs, etc).
I’ve given up on in-ground greenhouse citrus because the spider mites were uncontrollable. Avocados seem almost pest free, just some scale but nothing extreme.
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The only pest of consequence in my GH is spider mites. Those can be controlled with neem oil although I will admit I haven’t actually tried neem oil yet. I will this weekend.
Weeds are less with a weed barrier either inside or out.
What are way less in my GH are diseases of the tree and fruit. Things like PLC, stink bugs, and bacterial canker. The trees, leaves, and fruit in my greenhouse are basically pristine if one controls spider mites.
The other huge advantage of a GH is protection from freezes, hail, wind, rain, birds, coons, and similar.
On an area basis I’ve harvested at least 10x as much stone fruit, grapes, and figs in the GH vs outside.
It does take a well designed and properly equiped GH to gain all the advantages.
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bindweed around the backh of my greenhouse has been a major issue.
I took all things out to level it this year and have treated the bindweed twice with the hardcore roundup and will drench the hell out of it with 2-4d soon.
I plan to plant smaller trees in-ground in there this fall, I’m hoping months of emptiness and repeated treatment will get a handle on the bindweed.
I won’t compost for heat in there this winter as it encouraged the bindweed to sneak in the edges of the pile from outside.
I have had insect issues but the easy lazy treatment is opening all doors with a fan in summer, and spraying and being diligent in winter (there’s less other stuff to do so winter upkeep feels easier). I will wipe off entire plants, every leaf. and use beneficial nematodes in there. I also spray down anything I’m bringing in for the winter - neem, BT, and along every edge of the space, sluggo plus.
I treated with neem late yesterday. Nothing looks the worse for it today except for the spider mites. They took it on the chin. About 8 oz of 70% neem in 10 gal water. Spider mite activity drops rapidly as soon as nights begin to cool off. That’s not far off.
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We have a small greenhouse with a wooden floor and use it for starting stuff. Plan on getting a larger hoop house soon. Some annoying mold but not bad. Slugs are the bane of my existence in there.