Seasonal Gardening in a Home Greenhouse
Though a home greenhouse allows the owner to cultivate virtually any plant at any time of the year, a popular trend has become seasonal gardening within the greenhouse environment. With the typical salad traveling an average of 1,500 miles to our plates environmentally conscious consumers are growing greater amounts of their own food. The home greenhouse owner can maintain a cool greenhouse, with a minimum temperature of 45˚ F, and grow 100% of their own produce year round. Listed below is a produce planting guide for seasonal gardening in your home greenhouse.
January: This month brings low daytime and nighttime temperatures, strong winds and limited daylight. During the November to February period be sure to plant varities that are resistant to low temperatures and limited daylight. Maintain the greenhouse in the 45˚-60˚ F range for best results.
Plant: Broccoli, French Beans, Lettuce, Spinach, Pac Choi, Chard, Carrots, Onions, Chinese Cabbage and Leeks.
Harvest: Lettuce, Radishes, Mushrooms, Mustard and Cress, and Rhubarb.
February: During February the temperature will still be low but the days will begin to become longer. Continue to maintain the greenhouse in the 45˚-60˚ F range and select hardy plant varities.
Plant: Eggplants, Beet Greens, Lettuce, Spinach, Broad Bean, Pac Choi, Cauliflower, Carrots, Cabbages, Chinese Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Onions, Parsnips and Turnips.
Harvest: Lettuce, Radish, Mushrooms, Mustard and Cress, and Rhubarb.
March: March brings longer days and the beginning of warmer temperatures. It is vital during this month to maintain temperatures inside the greenhouse in the 45˚ – 65˚ F range. Keep an eye out for hot days as too much heat can cause some of the previously planted hardy varieties to wilt and die.
Plant: French Beans, Carrots, Lettuce, Sweet Peppers, Eggplants, Beets, Melons and Herbs.
Harvest: Broccoli, Lettuce, Radish, Chard, Spinach, Mushroom, Pac Choi, Mustard and Cress, Chinese Cabbage.
April: A rise in air temperatures means the time has come to sow the seeds of our favourite warm weather plants such as tomatoes; however, all planting in this month can be brought to a sudden halt with one night of frost. While a heated home greenhouse is already equipped with the means to combat frost, plant selection can also aid in achieving the best results from seasonal gardening. During this month maintain temperatures inside the greenhouse of 45˚-70˚F.
Plant: Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Celery, French Beans, Eggplant and Melons.
Harvest: Carrots, Lettuce, Beat Greens, Radishes, Mushrooms, Spinach, Mustard and Cress, Pac Choi, Chard, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage and Potatoes.
May: Spring has arrived! This season contains the essential ingredients for prolific greenhouse gardening, such as, warm temperatures and longer days. The key to success in May is temperature management. It is best to maintain temperatures inside the home greenhouse of 45˚-70˚F. Check your vent motors and exhaust fans to ensure they are functioning properly so you don’t risk overheating. Little planting will occur.
Plant: Lettuce.
Harvest: Beets, Carrots, French Beans, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard and Cress, and Potatoes.
June: The onset of the summer months brings long days and sunshine. This month, much like May, will need good temperature regulation and plant care. Little planting will occur.
Plant: French Beans and Mustard and Cress.
Harvest: Beets, Carrots, French Beans, Lettuce, Mustard and Cress, Parsley, Radish and Mushrooms.
July: Similar to June, July is filled with good weather conditions ideal for successful gardening and ventilation remains vital to a successful crop. Though your tomato and cucumbers will require the July heat to produce the best fruit excess heat can stunt growth and fruit yield. Temperatures in the home greenhouse should not exceed 75˚-80˚F.
Plant: Parsley, Mustard and Cress and Potatoes for a winter crop.
Harvest: Lettuce, Radishes, Mustard and Cress, Parsley, Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumbers.
August: This month will continue to be quite warm and the gardener must be diligent in keeping temperatures from exceeding 80˚ F. The fruiting of tomato plants and cucumbers will be in full swing.
Plant: Winter Lettuce, Carrots, Endive and Chicory. Plant sprouted potatoes in tubs.
Harvest: Lettuce, Peppers, Eggplants, Radishes, Mustard and Cress, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Herbs, Melons and Cucumbers.
September: With September comes the shortening of days and cooler temperatures. This will be the month in which you begin to pick the remaining fruit from warm weather plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers.
Plant: Carrots, Lettuce, Radishes, Endive, Mustard and Cress, Broccoli and Cauliflower.
Harvest: Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Eggplants, Radish, Mustard and Cress, Herbs, Melons and Mushrooms.
October: With the onset of fall comes cold days and nights and the first frost. October is a time to check your heater and ensure that the greenhouse temperature will remain above 45˚ F.
Plant: Lettuce.
Harvest: Peppers, Eggplants, Radish, Mustard and Cress, Herbs, Melons and Mushrooms.
November: With dwindling daylight and low temperatures it is necessary to keep the greenhouse above 45˚ F to keep the fall and winter crops growing.
Plant: Lettuce, Mushrooms, Chives, Parsley and Mint.
Harvest: Lettuce, Mushrooms, Chicory, and Rhubarb.
December: Winter is in full swing by this month complete with long nights, freezing temperatures and limited daylight. Expect growth of your winter crop to be slow.
Plant: Lettuce, Carrots, Mustard and Cress, and French Beans.
Harvest: Lettuce, Carrots, Radish, Mushrooms, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Potatoes, Chicory and Rhubarb.
This seasonal gardening guide gives tips for a few of the plants you can grow in your greenhouse to make the most of your garden year round. Best of luck and enjoy your first year growing your own produce in your home greenhouse.
For information: www.nationalgreenhouse.com
Contact: andrewg@nexuscorp.com
t. (303) 457-9199 ext.533
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