Many individuals believe that planting anything other than houseplants is only possible in spring and summer.
Yes, as you know, plants grow well in spring and summer, but a greenhouse allows you to plant herbs and vegetables even in the winter.
Some plants do not need a lot of sun and can withstand harsh winters as long as they are in a greenhouse with a controlled temperature.
For instance – all green veggies, such as cabbage, kales, carrots, and broccoli do quite well in greenhouses.
Meanwhile, turnips, beets, and radishes have increased sugar levels in a winter greenhouse.
Onions and garlic do well will give your stews and soups a richness while growing in the winter. Rosemary, chives, and parsley are some herbs you can grow in a winter greenhouse.
What To Grow In Greenhouse In Winter
A winter greenhouse provides you with the opportunity to grow a variety of plants based upon what you like to eat!
Winter temperatures can affect the types of plants that you can grow in a winter greenhouse. If the temperatures are below freezing for a lot of the winter, you will need to have a heated greenhouse.
Weather conditions in the USA can vary significantly depending on what zone you are located.
An example would be Illinois or Iowa that are zone 5 where the temperatures can get down to -20 degrees F. If you live in this region and do not have a heated greenhouse, plant hardy plants in cold winter plants.
Plants like winter lettuce, kales, endive, spinach, beets, and carrots will grow nicely in your winter greenhouse.
If you live in zone 1-4 where the weather is very cold, you will need to plant a more hardy plant. The best examples are scallions, tatsoi, and winter kale. Remember to read all descriptions on the seed catalog you have to know which zone the plant will be in winter.
If you live in a temperate climate zone, you can plant a variety of plants in your greenhouse over winter.
In Zone 7 and Above – Winter temperatures tend to be mild so most vegetables and herbs can survive and produce a good yield. Potatoes, kale, spinach, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, carrots, onions, and garlic are just a few crops you can plant in your greenhouse.
Things To Consider When Putting Up A Winter Greenhouse
You will want to consider various factors when taking on the task of selecting your winter greenhouse.
The most important is your overall cost. Some modern winter greenhouses that have mechanized structures are quite expensive and may not be suitable for your budget
On the other hand, a winter greenhouse that occupies the same amount of space may not cost much at all and, in fact, you might even be able to build it yourself.
You will want to consider two main items when looking to erect a winter greenhouse, a transparent cover and a frame for support.
If you are in an area that has storms, high winds, or even hurricanes, you will need to have a winter greenhouse that is strong enough to withstand those severe conditions.
In this case-a steel framed greenhouse will provide the basic strength against unpredictable weather conditions.
On the other hand, if you live in regions that have lighter winter conditions, then even a DIY greenhouse will be sufficient.
If you want to build it yourself, you will only need a polyethylene sheet and some type of wood frame.
Consider the climate, size, and site when formulating your decision on the type of greenhouse you want in your garden.
Most people living in urban developments have limited space and will therefore need a small glass house that fits within the limited space.
If your site has a steep slope, consider addressing that with leveled ground to erect the structure. Look for a location that gets good sun and that is not in direct winds.
Finally, the integrity of the structure must remain intact so that crops can grow properly.
When Should You Plant Your Winter Crops?
When determining when to plant crops, it is critical to know how long does it take for crops to mature.
This means you ideally will want to plant early enough for the crops to mature and be harvested before the cold.
Once winter arrives, crops will slow down and require management in a greenhouse.
In deciding when to plant crops, you can essentially add another week or two to the time since they will not be growing very fast at that time.
The winter greenhouse is necessary to keep crops alive until they are harvested in the winter.
How To Cater For Crops In Winter Greenhouses
Caring for the crops means, in large part, ensuring that they remain healthy during the beginning of winter.
If you do not take proper precautions, the cold can kill the leaves and roots of your crops.
The following actions will strengthen the plants in your greenhouse:
- The most important duty is You must pay careful attention to how frequently you will need to water your vegetables. As the temperatures cool you can cut back on how often you are watering. At that point, your crops will need substantially less water, so you might water once or twice a week.
- A healthy crop will need nutrients as well to grow healthy roots and stems. Fertilizing your lettuces, kales, or cabbages is important if you want them to grow well. You can either apply organic or inorganic depending on what’s available or what’s depleted in your soil. Just make sure to use premium nitrogen and potassium fertilizer.
- Adequate air circulation is very important for the health of the crops in the winter greenhouse. Open up the vents during the day especially with the warming temperatures to allow air into the greenhouse area. Venting removes condensation and dumpy conditions in the winter greenhouse.
- Don’t forget too that you must remove any snow accumulated around the greenhouse. You can easily brush it off being careful not to damage the roof of the structure.
Final Words
When growing crops in a winter greenhouse, the possibilities are endless.
If you have a small garden, give it a try and creatively plant different crops and see how they are affected by the cold temperatures.
But don’t forget to do your homework and figure out which crops fare well in certain zones or regions.