Having a greenhouse opens up the range of plants you can grow. If you don't know what to grow in a greenhouse let me give you some ideas.
I really enjoy having my own small greenhouse and it really helps me grow a wide variety of plants. It is also great at extending my growing season.
I only heat my greenhouse from spring till summer so most of the year my greenhouse runs completely on solar heat.
What you grow in a greenhouse like mine it is very seasonal. Here are some things I like to grow in my greenhouse based on the season.
Spring
During the spring I heat my greenhouse using these methods. This allows me to keep my greenhouse completely frost free with the low temperature being 50oF.
Seedlings
My greenhouse is filled with my plants that I start for my garden. In the spring I have tomatoes, peppers, herbs and many other plants growing in my greenhouse.
Lettuce
Lettuce does well during the spring with the cool weather in a greenhouse. You may even have to open a window to keep it cool enough on sunny days.
Radishes
Radishes a great crop to grow in the spring and they grow really fast. Most varieties are ready to harvest within a month or two after planting.
Brassicas
Collard greens, cabbage, and kale all do well in a spring greenhouse and they can handle frost.
Summer
During the summer my greenhouse feels like the tropics with most days getting above 90oF inside the greenhouse. This shifts what I can grow in my greenhouse and it opens up the possibilities.
For my summer greenhouse conditions I look for tropical plants that thrive in the heat and sunshine. Here are a few things that thrive in my summer greenhouse.
Luffa Gourds
I live in zone 5 which is a little cool for luffa gourds, but my greenhouse has the perfect conditions. I built my own trellis and the luffas do great.
Eucalyptus
This plant loves the heat and can survive the hot summer conditions of the greenhouse. I found plants at my local greenhouse and they stayed green through the summer.
Peppers
Another heat loving plant is peppers. If you have struggled with peppers because of your climate try them in your greenhouse.
Okra
Okra loves the heat and can do well in a greenhouse. Be mindful that okra is a very tall plant so plant accordingly.
Melons
Most melons grow best when they are given high heat and humidity.
Butterfly Peas
Butterfly peas love the heat and their flowers look amazing. I use the flowers as a natural food dye. You can learn more about growing butterfly peas here.
Fall
I love my greenhouse during the fall because I can keep growing after the first frost. I often move my potted plants into the greenhouse to extend my growing season.
This is the perfect time to start cool loving plants so they can keep growing into the winter. Here are a few vegetables and herbs you can start in a fall greenhouse.
Lettuce and Other Greens
Romaine lettuce, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts, and any cool loving greens do well in a fall greenhouse. These plants thrive in the cooler temperatures.
Herbs
I can keep basil, oregano, and my other herbs growing for a few more months in my greenhouse. This means I can keep harvesting fresh herbs into the fall even after a frost.
Peas
Peas hate hot weather and often wither during the summer heat. However, they do love cool weather so plant them during the fall in your greenhouse.
Carrots
Carrots can handle cold conditions so starting them in a fall greenhouse works great.
Beets
If you are into beets (I am not a fan... yet.) they thrive in cooler temperatures and do well in a fall greenhouse.
Radishes
Radishes like the cool weather and most varieties mature within a month or two! You can plant them during the fall and harvest them right before winter.
Winter
I don't heat my greenhouse during the winter because it would take a lot of energy. My greenhouse will stay mild during the winter days, but the temperatures go below freezing after nightfall.
With the frigid conditions I don't use my greenhouse for growing much during the winter. I do find a few things grow well and I mainly use the greenhouse for overwintering perennial plants.
Here are a few plants that can handle the extreme conditions of a winter greenhouse.
Brassicas
The hardiest vegetable plants are in the brassica family so they are the best option for a winter greenhouse. Plants like kale, cabbage, rutabaga, and brussels sprouts might make it.
To keep these cool plants alive in an unheated greenhouse you can give them extra protection like a layer of clear plastic over them. This extra layer will hold in even more heat.
Winter plants will grow slower so start them early. Sometimes the cold weather can act like a preservative keeping the plants fresh for winter harvests.
I bring all my perennial plants that are in pots into my greenhouse for the winter. It keeps them just a bit warmer so they have better chances of surviving.
Overall my greenhouse is great at extending my greenhouse and I can grow a wider variety of plants. Try experimenting in your greenhouse to see what grows well!
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