When To Begin East Coast Greenhouse Farming?

As the days lengthen towards the equinox, Ceres headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, marks the time when there is enough daylight to start harvesting. A threatened strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association could shut the port and others on the East Coast and Gulf Coast starting early Tuesday. In August, the five largest ports on the East and Gulf Coasts processed about 24,766 40-foot containers of imports and exports valued at $2.7 billion each day. A walkout would be the first East Coast dock strike since 1977. Union workers at ports in the East Coast and Gulf Coast earn a base wage of $39 an hour after harvesting.

Employers at US East Coast ports represented by the United States Maritime Exchange (USMX) and the International Longshoremen Association (ILA) remain. The largest port on the U.S. East Coast, New York/New Jersey, begins prepping for what could be the first union strike since 1977. Hurricane Helene is a major Category 3 hurricane with wind speeds of 120 mph and is expected to make landfall along Florida’s east coast.

Gardeners at the coast can plant up to two weeks earlier in the spring and two weeks later in the fall. For most crops that can be started indoors, seeds should be started about 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date. March is the time to start seeds of eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes indoors to have transplants ready for spring.

A greenhouse allows you to sow seeds at almost any time of year, depending on the winter temperatures in your climate zone. If the greenhouse temperature is hovering at or above zero, these cold-tolerant greenhouse plants do not die but largely stop growing.

At what temperature is a greenhouse too hot?

To maintain a cool 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 monitor the greenhouse’s temperature, use a thermometer or walk inside to gauge its temperature. If too hot, it’s likely too hot for your plants. Several tips can help keep your greenhouse cool, but they’re more effective when combined.

Will an unheated greenhouse protect from frost?

Keeping your greenhouse unheated during autumn and winter is crucial for maintaining frost-free plants and growing hardy crops like salads and herbs. Unheated greenhouses can keep overnight temperatures up to 5°C warmer than outside, ensuring plants stay dry and frost-free. This helps plants survive by reducing the likelihood of freezing. To keep your greenhouse in top condition, consider using greenhouse accessories and a guide on the best pressure washers.

Ensure your plants get plenty of light, as natural light levels are low in winter. Remove any shading material and clean the glass to maximize available light. This will help keep your greenhouse in top condition and ensure the survival of your plants.

How much warmer will an unheated greenhouse be?

A greenhouse can be up to 30˚F warmer than the outside environment, depending on the type and insulation of the greenhouse. A single-layer greenhouse may show a temperature difference of 5-10˚F, while a double-layer greenhouse can be 9-14˚F warmer. The warmth of a greenhouse comes from a balance of science and design. Sunlight enters the greenhouse through transparent materials like glass or polycarbonate, which absorbs and converts it into heat. Even a slight temperature boost can make a significant difference, especially during chilly days.

Do I need to harden off seedlings before putting in greenhouse?

Hardening off is a crucial process for mature plants grown inside a greenhouse, as it involves slowly acclimating them to a new environment to prevent shock, damage, or even death. When plants are raised indoors in early spring and moved outside for planting, they must adapt to direct sun, cooler temperatures, lower humidity, increased air movement, winds, and pest and disease pressures, which are unpredictable and out of control.

Proper hardening off results in thicker cell walls and leaf structures, increased energy for root development, and reduced excess water, making the plant stronger, more rigid, and less susceptible to freeze damage. As plants grow slower, they create a firmer, less floppy plant that can handle the stresses of the outdoors. If not hardened off, wind, sun, or cold can lead to significant wilting, browning leaf edges, or even death.

Hardening off is a time-intensive process, ideally done over two weeks, but it is generally more sensitive than bringing home well-rooted, mature plants from a greenhouse and acclimating them to their new environment. It is essential to follow guidelines for hardening plants off when preparing for outdoor planting and to simplify the process when moving crops outside for sale or at home.

When should I start my indoor greenhouse?

Plants grow quickly in greenhouses, so it’s not advisable to start seeds indoors before early March or early April. Plants will reach for light, which can be a problem for some growers. To prevent this, they should start seeds under a clear plastic cover and remove it when the seeds sprout. It’s also important to ensure that the growing tips are within 15 cm of LED or fluorescent lights to prevent stretching.

Plants grow faster and taller in warm conditions, especially under grow-lights indoors. The heat is higher than in natural conditions outside, so indoor grow-lights are ideal. If temperature adjustments aren’t possible, adding wind can strengthen stems and keep them shorter. A small fan can help move air around plants, strengthening them and keeping them shorter. Add a fan to your indoor grow-op or greenhouse growing area immediately.

What temperature is too cold for a greenhouse?

To maintain optimal plant growth, keep your greenhouse temperature below 3C (37F). Tender plants like pelargoniums, half-hardy fuchsias, and citrus trees prefer a minimum of 7C (45F), and safest at 10C (50F). This temperature is ideal for young plants and plug plants. If you have a conservatory, use it to overwinter delicate plants. Position heaters carefully, placing them in an open, central spot away from water and angling the heater to prevent foliage desiccation by direct airflow above nearby plants.

When can I put plants in an unheated greenhouse in the UK?

The optimal temperature for seedlings in an unheated garden greenhouse is between 10 degrees Celsius or 50 fahrenheit and 21 degrees Celsius or 70 fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius or rises above 21 degrees Celsius or 70 fahrenheit, protective measures are necessary. If the weather is too cold with low soil temperature, seedlings may need to be brought inside or provided with shade. Seedlings can tolerate colder temperatures than outside, but monitoring the temperature is crucial.

Most seedlings can tolerate temperatures as low as roughly 4 degrees Celsius or 40 fahrenheit, but it’s essential to check the specific variety. To provide warmth, consider using horticultural fleece, but remove it during the day to ensure ventilation. Overall, seedlings can tolerate colder temperatures in an unheated garden greenhouse, but proper monitoring and care are essential to ensure their well-being.

What time of year should you build a greenhouse?

The optimal time to install a greenhouse is winter or autumn, as it is less time-consuming, economically profitable, and does not require planting anything. Cellular polycarbonate is the main material used for greenhouse production, allowing installation at any time of the year. However, the spring gardening season is often crowded with orders, leading to missed deadlines. Despite this, winter or autumn are the best seasons for greenhouse installation due to the favorable weather and lack of planting.

Alternatives to spring include installing in the summer, when temperatures are cooler and the site is not yet planted. Overall, the optimal season for greenhouse installation depends on factors such as weather, location, and the availability of cellular polycarbonate.

When can I move seedlings to an unheated greenhouse?

The author begins moving hardiest seedlings into their unheated greenhouse once temperatures drop below a few degrees above zero. The first wave of plants include leeks, onions, pansies, violas, cabbage family vegetables, sweet peas, snapdragons, endive, escarole, and lettuce. Tom Thumb lettuce, an heirloom from 1830, is placed first, known for its easy-growing, hardy nature. The Little Gem type miniature romaines also perform well in cold weather. By April, flats of warmth-loving plants should be placed in the greenhouse.

When can I start using an unheated greenhouse?

It is recommended that the growing season commence in an unheated greenhouse during the late winter to early spring period, typically 4-6 weeks prior to the average date of the last spring frost. For example, if the last frost date is estimated to occur around May 1st, it would be advisable to commence utilisation of the greenhouse in mid to late March. During this period, the greenhouse provides an environment conducive to optimal growth.

How soon can you start plants in a 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.