What Kind Of Seeds Can I Currently Grow In My Greenhouse?

Growing vegetables in a greenhouse can be a rewarding experience, especially for those new to the process. Here are 10 top crops to grow in a greenhouse during autumn and winter: hardy salads, oriental greens like mustard greens, pak choi, and winter varieties of lettuce. Chilies are a great choice for their spice and pungent taste, making them an excellent choice for greenhouses.

Start seeding your first spring round of cold-tolerant crops like lettuce, kale, radishes, beets, carrots, peas, etc., and warm-loving, long-season vegetable crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, etc., in the greenhouse. Tender crops like aubergines, cucumbers, peppers, chillies, and tomatoes can be grown through the summer months. Exotic, heat-loving plants like okra can also be planted in the greenhouse.

By late May, most frost risk has passed, so many seeds can now be sown directly outdoors, but there is still plenty to plant in the greenhouse. To get started, consider choosing hardy plants like lettuce, peas, cabbage, leeks, shallots, Brussels sprouts, onions, and microgreens. If micro-greens are desired, stick to cool-tolerant crops like peas, kale, cilantro, mustard greens, arugula, and collards.

Sow seeds of winter lettuces like “May King”, “Veneziana”, and “Winter Density” in the greenhouse in July. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants thrive in the warmth, while cucumbers, squash, and zucchini also work well. Cabbage, leeks, cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli, and onions seeds can be planted, and ready-grown tiny plug plants can be purchased.


📹 How To Start Seeds In An Unheated Greenhouse | What To Grow In A Mini Greenhouse

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Can a greenhouse be too hot for seedlings?

To ensure optimal greenhouse ventilation, use a maximum-minimum thermometer to monitor the temperature and be alert for signs of plant damage. Open doors and vents on sunny days, and temporarily remove panes to help during heat waves. Fit automatic vent openers to ensure roof vents open even when you’re not around, but remember that it takes time for the wax to expand. Provide alternative ventilation such as doors and side vents to prevent damaging temperatures. In changeable weather, vents and doors may need to be partially open to limit sudden temperature increases. Larger greenhouses may require automated ventilation and shading.

Shading is usually required from mid-spring until early autumn to release some heat but limits the light plants receive. Use only the minimum amount of shading to keep temperatures below 25-27ºC (77-81ºF), allowing as much light in as possible, especially for edible plants like tomatoes. Sun-loving plants like succulents may not need shading, but providing shade can make the greenhouse more pleasant.

Can a greenhouse get too hot for seeds?

To maintain a healthy backyard greenhouse, it’s crucial to maintain a temperature between 80-85°F (26-29°C) during spring and summer months. If the temperature exceeds 90°F, it’s a sign of potential health issues. To keep the greenhouse cool, use a thermometer or walk inside to gauge the temperature. Consistent watering is the most important tip, as it helps plants thrive and reduces greenhouse temperatures. These tips can be more effective when implemented together, making the greenhouse a more comfortable and healthy space for your plants.

What seeds grow best in a greenhouse?

Salad vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and lettuce are easy to grow and have high yields. They thrive in greenhouses and can be grown up a trellis or wall to save space. Other staples like pole beans and snap peas can also be grown in this configuration. Greens, such as cut and come-again lettuces and microgreens, are essential for a salad and require shallow containers. Onions, carrots, kale, cabbage, and broccoli are also suitable for greenhouses. Cold-hardy plants like leafy and bitter greens and root vegetables can keep you eating fresh all year. Remember to leave space for harvesting these vegetables.

What not to grow in a greenhouse?
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What not to grow in a greenhouse?

Greenhouses are ideal for gardeners as they provide controlled environments that extend growing seasons and protect plants from harsh weather. However, not all plants thrive in enclosed spaces. Some common mistakes to avoid include large trees and shrubs, which can outgrow containers and damage structures. Invasive plants, such as mint or certain ivy species, can quickly overtake other plants and become difficult to eradicate once established in a greenhouse.

To avoid these issues, it is recommended to reserve your greenhouse for compact or easily pruned plants. Additionally, plants with high temperature requirements, such as long-lived perennials, should be kept outside for easier control. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can save time, effort, and disappointment in your greenhouse gardening endeavors.

When can I plant seeds in my greenhouse?

To transplant seedlings into the garden, sow seeds in a greenhouse six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. Harden off plants two weeks before transitioning to the garden, moving them outside for several hours each day. Gradually increase the hours spent outside over two weeks. Transplant the plants into their permanent locations when hardening off is complete. Some plants, like melon, cucumber, and dill, may not transplant well, so consider sowing them directly in the garden or in a large container in the greenhouse.

When can I start seeds in an unheated greenhouse?

Seedlings can germinate in an unheated greenhouse during colder months, such as late winter to early spring. They can be placed in their seed starting trays or pots when they are still tiny, and can be transplanted when they have just two sets of leaves upwards, usually 2-4 weeks old. The ideal temperature for starting seedlings in an unheated greenhouse is around 18 degrees Celsius or 65 Fahrenheit, with a nighttime temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius or 50 Fahrenheit. Too much temperature drop can hinder seedling development, and anything over 24 degrees Celsius or 75 Fahrenheit is considered too warm.

What are the 5 disadvantages of a greenhouse?

Greenhouse farming presents a number of challenges, including the necessity for expertise, significant upfront costs, the requirement for extensive knowledge to ensure successful crop growth, high operational costs, considerable maintenance, space consumption, and a lengthy project duration.

What to grow in a greenhouse for beginners?

A list of thirteen simple fruit and vegetable plants for beginners to grow in their greenhouses includes carrots, onions, asparagus, spinach, turnips, kale, tomatoes, and strawberries. A greenhouse allows gardeners to make the most of the sun, extend the growing season, and harvest a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Chris Bonnett, a gardening expert for The Express, suggests starting with easy-to-grow plants and gradually moving on to more challenging ones. Proper planning, including checking temperature, soil, space, and water sources, is crucial for a productive harvest throughout the year.

What happens if you plant mixed seeds in the greenhouse?

Mixed seeds have the potential to produce a variety of crops in different seasons. For instance, they can be used to cultivate parsnips, potatoes, cauliflower in the spring, corn, peppers, radishes, and wheat in the summer, and artichokes, corn, eggplants, and pumpkins in the fall. If planted in a greenhouse during the winter season, the player is able to produce any seed from the aforementioned seeds.

What grows best in a hot greenhouse?
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What grows best in a hot greenhouse?

In a summer greenhouse, it is recommended to choose plants that can sustain heat and produce numerous crops. Heat-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, and lettuce can be grown in the soil from early spring, providing plenty of moisture for their growth. Other plants that can thrive in a greenhouse include lettuce, romaine, asparagus salad, cabbage, and watercress.

Salads can be planted every two weeks in a greenhouse, provided the temperature is right and the soil is loosened. Strawberries thrive in well-lit places, warmth, and loose soil, and can be grown in garden boxes or on racks. Artificial LED grow light and drip irrigation systems can help simplify care. Dill, which has a capricious culture, is ideal for growing in a greenhouse during summer. It requires good lighting, a temperature of at least 60 degrees F (15 C), and well-moistened soil. Dill grows for about 2 months but can collect up to 5 lbs of green seasoning with 10 square feet of grow space.

Parsley can be grown either by sowing seeds and planting root crops to a depth of 6 inches, with a step between the roots of about 2 inches. The first method can yield over 3 lbs of harvest per 10 sq. ft. of grow space, while the second method is more resistant. Care for parsley is simple: weeding, watering, and properly ventilating.

Green onions require good air ventilation, weeding (if necessary), watering, temperature control, and soil feeding. Each plant has its own unique tricks for optimal summer growth, but all require good air ventilation, weeding, watering, temperature control, and soil feeding.

Do seeds germinate better in a greenhouse?
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Do seeds germinate better in a greenhouse?

Greenhouses provide a stable environment for seedlings, offering consistent temperatures, humidity, and light, which prevents stress and promotes stronger, healthier plants. Additionally, they permit the germination of seeds that flourish in particular regional climates.


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What Kind Of Seeds Can I Currently Grow In My Greenhouse?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

21 comments

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  • I have one just like yours. I got some shade cloth and using plastic cover as a pattern i made another cover. Helps regulate heat and cold. Even though mines in a semi protected area it has blown over until …… I put boards outside on the flaps then used cement blocks on top of those. Additionally i crisscrossed over the top with heavy paracord tying it to outside loops then a cement block. I strung cord through pool noodles making sure they buffer contact with the greenhouse . Works like a charm! Before that i was needing to replace broken connections. (Son has a 3D printer)

  • We got a bigger one for our backyard- it’s 12 feet long by 7 feet high…almost 7 feet. We buried the bottom of the frame 7 inches into the ground and covered it with sand, so it’s actually an inch under 6 and a half feet high. We live near the Chesapeake Bay and it gets very windy here, especially in hurricane season. We did add the stakes to tie it off as an extra measure of protection against having it blow away Wizard of Oz style…haha! I added black mulch to the ground in there hoping it will store a little bit of warmth from the sun. It still gets cold out there and I do worry about my Dragon’s Breath plants and other Celosias. I can’t bring them inside because one of our cats will eat anything I bring in. I love him dearly, but that kind of sucks…haha! I have them off the ground and bubble wrapped their pots, so here’s hoping! 2023 has been my firt year gardening, so this is my first winter with a greenhouse and caring for plants. Everything is an experiment at this point. I was in zone 8a but it just got changed to 8b according to the Hardiness Zone map update, so our winters are supposed to be more mild going forward. Did your zone go to 7b?

  • I’m in Northern California zone 9b. I have a fairly large unheated greenhouse. I started tomato seeds indoors and now I’ve put the seedlings in the green house. So far they’re doing ok. But, we’ve been having a mild winter so far. Not much frost so I’m hoping that continues. I’ve also overwintering 2 cherry tomato plants. Still alive 👍.

  • I had a small one with 3 shelves and decided to buy another one with 4 shelves ready for expanding planting this year – I cleaned all my spare pots and housed them inside them both for the winter – unfortunately we had very heavy winds in UK November time and the bigger one went on a nice blowy journey around my garden displacing the pots everywhere 🥴 and the bottom legs were damaged so I now have 2 with 3 shelves 🙄

  • Thank you for a great explanation of these greenhouses. I bought a smaller one, am in zone 7, and now I know how I should consider using it. I do need to check on securing it better. Right now, it’s weighted down with heavy pots on the lowest shelf waiting to be able to bring seedlings outside in a couple of weeks.

  • Great vid 👍🏼. Still a newbie & Im kinda late in seed starting! starting them indoors then repot in those Solo cups. have them hang in my repurposed mini greenhouse til ready. Im using our old metal tall bathroom shelf(you know, the one you could place around your toilet, has 4shelves) lol & covering with plastic clamped on! Hopefully will do ok & dont blow away! Zone7 too NJ😅🤞🏼

  • I’ve bought the next size up from the one you have, today. I built it, but I need to level the corner of the garden I’m thinking of keeping it. I was thinking about adding a couple of raised beds to strengthen as well as either gravel or a few paving slabs. Do you think that this would help keep it from blowing over?

  • We have this exact greenhouse and love it. We weigh the bottom bars/struts down with big flat flagstones that weigh about 50lbs each. Flats of seedlings sit on the stones too. Also, we are trying to grow the hot weather crop seedlings in there right now and the cool weather stuff on the patio table. Why? Well, we usually get a ton of volunteer plants of tomatoes and peppers and whatnot right in the raised beds and when you would think its still too cold. I think the tempersture fluctuations may actually help them and make for a stronger plant. So, here we are just putting everything that needs a jolt of heat here and there in the greenhouse and starting the brassicas and chards and sweetpeas right out in the open on the patio table.

  • The turn around here in Sask was fast… our nights are getting -5 – 0 C as of late. So that means I will slowly start moving some of my stuff outside here in the next little bit! Here are some resources you may find helpful. :_Sunflower:The Min/Max Thermo article – youtube.com/watch?v=GYaxk9VgV1I&t=217s :_Houseplant:Min/Max Gauge – geni.us/np7FbTf :_Sunflower:Older article On Heating: youtu.be/J-iFpAvvaCY :_Houseplant:15000W Space Heater: geni.us/i23d

  • I have a 12×14′ 4-ply polycarbonate panel greenhouse with lower side vents and roof vents. I heat it with a “Big Buddy” propane vent-less heater. This is a great heater, it is designed to shut off if there isn’t enough oxygen in the greenhouse. So when I was sick in January and we had deep snow and very cold, I couldn’t get my snowblower to the greenhouse and I saw the heater on, so I went to bed. Only to wake up to 8F outside, and the greenhouse stinking of frozen/dead cabbage and other vegetables. I added an electric radiator heater, and haven’t had any problems since. I also have 2 3-gallon black trash cans, which hold and radiate heat all night. This is a great article and thank you very much for including the link for the thermometer! Spring is here…I saw a bug and a weed!

  • With the crazy weather we’re getting this week, my overwintering figs are skipping the greenhouse and going straight from basement to outdoors. We went from temperatures barely topping 10C a few times in March and early April, to 27.5C today with a low of 14C, and 29C tomorrow and 25C on Friday… But as the heat subsides I’ll have to move them into the greenhouse (which is heated to 8C) since next week will be 5-10C.

  • Your articles, even when I start out thinking that it has absolutely no relevance to me with Florida actually flirting with full-on summer when the garden dies, always give me ideas. I am going to think about fans on my plants along with shade clothes to keep air circulating and extend my growing period. Thanks.

  • Another great article offering practical advice. No experience with green houses, but here in Iowa Zone 5 I’ve had some luck moving pepper and tomato seedlings indoors to outdoors during the day and the reverse at night, without using grow lights or heating pads. One thing to consider is local weather trends. Our last frost date is typically 24 April, but this spring’s warmer weather (85/36 10-day forecast) justify an earlier planting. Current soil temp @ 54° F is probably warm enough for most plants. We get good production from volunteer tomatoes, which show up when they’re ready, saving stress over deciding when to transfer plants outdoors. Maybe we get 2 weeks less harvest time from the volunteers–not that big a deal–so perhaps an option on warm-weather crops is to do nothing and let the seed decide when to start growing.

  • The greenhouse definitely gets hot here on sunny afternoons now. On April 2, it was 28C in the greenhouse (windows closed) despite being only 2C outside because we were getting full sun. On Monday, even with the windows open, it was 35C in the greenhouse (17C outside). Tomorrow it’s supposed to be 29C outside (the earliest it’s ever been that hot in Toronto/Hamilton history) and full sun… We’ll see how hot the greenhouse gets then. But I’m only putting figs, peppers, passionflower and rosemary in there for now. The cool weather crops are outside for now because 35C is too hot for them (especially since the humidity is low when the windows are open).

  • Candles, even tea lights give off a lot of heat, not for a full size GH, but they work great to keep the knee high hoop houses warmed all night and should probably do well in the smaller portable closet/small walk in type greenhouses. Last year I bought a bag of the 8hr tea lites from Walmart to heat the kn ee high hoop house, turned two 500ml soup cans on their sides and put tea lights in the cans so they had a roof over the flame,, the can on its side to keep too much heat from going straight up and maybe melting the plastic sheathing, obviously an actual candle holder with a top and vented sides would be optimal but honestly the cans worked great. I wouldn’t say it’s consistency like you said, thats for sure but, def kept things from freezing overnights and on cold overcast days in April and May. I grew a few fantastic organic Weed plants from seed for the first time too…. aaand…. 👄👌 ** chefs kiss ** lol Anyway, a cheap and effective option for small space heating I’ll do again this year.

  • I’m in Zone 4 northeastern Ontario. My 9’ x 14’ polycarbonate greenhouse is attached to my workshop and faces SSE. On the common wall there’s a patio door and large window. I have a small fan in the window and door stays open. Shop is heated all winter with wood stove. Lots of scrap pallets get burned and a couple cords good firewood at night. So greenhouse is effectively heated all winter with near waste heat. If I can’t keep a wood fire, there’s a natural gas backup furnace with thermostat set to 13°C, but it only runs a few times a day on the coldest of nights. I built the greenhouse myself and was very careful to seal everything as tight as possible, and then control the ventilation on hot days. Floor is patio pavers for heat sink and exterior foundation is insulated with 2″ rigid material covered with cement board. Three 2’x2’ automatic roof vents are a life saver! Couple that with lots of operating windows, and greenhouse has seldom gone above 30°C on the hottest of days. Now in second season and totally jazzed with my success!

  • How long does compost have to age before it is safe to use putting together a medium mix for a container, and not just as a top dressing? I have read that it can be used as a top dressing is it is “finished”, but that should age for longer to use in a mix, so as not to introduce nitrogen robbing processes to a mediul mix.

  • Can I germinate the seeds, (just sowed tomatoes pepper and eggplant), indoors and when they have sprouted, put them straight into a greenhouse? Temperature lows are 2 to 5 Celsius at night. Teens to 20 during the day. Want to eliminate having to harden off and hoping for a stronger plant. By greenhouse I mean a plastic one. 2’x6′ by 3′ tall

  • My greenhouse is gonna be cool for the next week with no sun and the space under my grow lights is getting crowded. The greenhouse should be 8-10C at night and 10-16C during the day. My frost hardy seedlings are already in there (spinach, peas, cabbage, broccoli, swiss chard, arugula, etc) and I’m sure they will be happy in those temperatures. So you think the warmer weather crops and plants (cucumber, squash, tomato, basil, figs, passionflower) would do ok at 8-16C? Hardened off with no long term damage? I don’t mind if the growth slows down since most of them are already pretty big. Just want to make sure they don’t get diseases or long term stunting and can bounce back when the sun returns in 1-2 weeks. The pepper, eggplant, okra, melon, sweet potato and roselle are the ones I’d intend on prioritizing for the 18C indoor grow light space.

  • This crazy weather is making it hard to plan. Start early or on time, and risk a freak freeze, or loose growing days by waiting till cold temps are (allegedly) not possible. I think a mixture of both – plant some, but not all, on time. Plant the rest a little late. Then hope and pray and do a veggie grow dance.

  • Oddly, our greenhouse isn’t that much warmer than outdoor temperatures when it is really cold. This am it was 27* F in greenhouse and 25* F outside. .. Anyone else have this same issue? We bought a cheap Greenhouse and Reinforced it by adding Cattle Panels to outside.. We get lots of snow and our last greenhouse finally gave in. Excited that we have a more structurally sound greenhouse but surprised by the temp when it is very cold..