As the weather starts to cool down and the leaves begin to change colors, many gardeners face the reality that the growing season is ending. However, by using a greenhouse, you can extend your growing season and continue cultivating fresh produce even as temperatures drop. Greenhouses offer a controlled environment where you can regulate temperature, humidity, and light to provide optimal plant growth conditions. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, a greenhouse can be an excellent investment for your garden and well-being.
1. Introduction
This blog will discuss the benefits of using a greenhouse to extend the growing season. A greenhouse can lengthen the growing season by providing a controlled environment for plants to thrive in weeks if not months. In the previous sections, we learned about season-extending techniques such as using hoop houses, row covers, and cold frames to prolong the growing season. However, with a greenhouse, we can take things a step further and grow year-round, regardless of the weather.
Benefits of using a greenhouse to extend the growing season
Using a greenhouse to extend the growing season has many benefits. With a controlled environment, you can maximize your garden's production by increasing the length of your growing season. In fact, you can extend your greenhouse growing season by up to 60%! Whether you choose an unheated or heated greenhouse, you can expect to extend your growing season up to 8 weeks. This opens up many opportunities for late fall and early winter harvests and year-round growing with protection tents and greenhouses. In addition, using a greenhouse to grow annual herbs can extend their life. However, monitoring the greenhouse temperature and using floating row covers for plant protection is essential. Overall, a greenhouse can bring many benefits to any gardener by allowing them to enjoy fresh produce for a longer period.
2. Extending Greenhouse Growing Season by 60%
The use of a greenhouse can significantly extend the growing season, and the numbers don't lie. One user reported that their greenhouse extended their growing season by over 60%, compared to their usual 6-month season. The extent of the extension can vary based on factors such as whether the greenhouse is heated or unheated. It's important to consider options such as protection tents and cloches if a complete greenhouse is not feasible. In addition, it's necessary to monitor the temperature inside the greenhouse to ensure optimal growing conditions. By utilizing a greenhouse to extend the growing season, gardeners can maximize their crop production and enjoy fresh vegetables for longer.
3. Comparison of Growing Seasons for Unheated vs Heated Greenhouses
Comparing the growing seasons of unheated and heated greenhouses can help gardeners decide the best option for their needs. Unheated greenhouses are great for extending the growing season in milder climates, but they may not be enough to grow crops during the dead of winter. On the other hand, heated greenhouses provide year-round growing opportunities regardless of climate conditions. Of course, running heat in a greenhouse comes with an increased cost, so it's important to weigh the benefits against the expenses. No matter which type of greenhouse a gardener chooses, the fact remains that even a few extra weeks of growing time can make a big difference in a garden's overall yield and success.
4. Growing Season Duration for At-Home Hoop Houses
At-home hoop houses are a great option for those who want to extend their growing season without breaking the bank. As previously mentioned, the growing season for an at-home hoop house can reach up to 150 days or roughly 5 months long. This means that summer vegetables can be started inside the hoop house and grow well into the shoulder seasons of early spring and late fall. This is a cost-effective way to extend your growing season and allows for greater control over the growing environment. With a hoop house, you can protect your crops from harsh weather conditions such as rain, wind, and cold temperatures, allowing them to thrive throughout the entire growing season. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, an at-home hoop house is a great tool to have in your gardening arsenal.
5. Moving Plants Inside for Late Fall/Early Winter Harvests
Moving potted plants inside the greenhouse during late fall and early winter can extend your harvest and allow you to enjoy beautiful flowers for longer. Not only that, but a winter greenhouse is also helpful for harvesting cold-hardy vegetables like carrots, spinach, and kale. By planting late season vegetables in late summer and early fall, you can ensure plants are nearing maturity by the end of November, and you can slowly harvest the fruits of your labor. The protection provided by a greenhouse also allows for the growth of hardy crops like salads and herbs, further extending your growing season. Keep in mind that it's important to monitor greenhouse temperature and use floating row covers for plant protection. With a greenhouse, you can improve the size and quality of your harvests and enjoy fresh produce all winter.
6. Year-Round Growing with Protection Tents and Greenhouses
For gardeners who want to extend their growing season even further, protection tents and greenhouses offer the opportunity to grow year-round. These structures can protect plants from harsh weather conditions and pests, allowing them to thrive even in the colder months. And it's not just vegetables that can benefit from year-round growing - many tender flowers and herbs can also be grown in a protected environment. By utilizing protection tents or greenhouses, gardeners can extend their growing season by several months or even achieve a year-round growing season. This is an excellent option for those who want to maximize their harvests and enjoy fresh produce or beautiful blooms all year long.
7. Importance of Monitoring Greenhouse Temperature
Monitoring the temperature of your greenhouse is crucial to ensure your plants are healthy and thriving. As discussed in previous sections, maintaining optimal temperature levels in greenhouses is essential for extending the growing season and increasing plant production. Failing to monitor temperature can lead to a variety of problems, including stunted growth, diseases, and even death of your plants. Fortunately, technology such as Sensaphone remote monitoring solutions and tempCube temperature and humidity sensors make it easier to keep an eye on your greenhouse's temperature and humidity levels. Gardeners should make it a daily practice to observe temperature and humidity changes in their greenhouse and make adjustments as necessary to maintain optimal growing conditions. By monitoring the temperature of your greenhouse, you can ensure that your plants have the best possible environment to grow and thrive in.
8. Using Floating Row Covers for Plant Protection
In addition to using a greenhouse to extend the growing season, using floating row covers can also provide valuable plant protection. These covers can provide frost protection in the spring and fall while also supporting rapid plant establishment and growth. Heavyweight covers can even provide protection from frost and freeze up to 4-8°F. Coarser netting can keep out pests, providing not only plant protection but pest exclusion as well. Using row covers can be a solution to extending the growing season, with tunnels, cold frames, hot caps, and tents providing the same benefits. Using floating row covers and other protective measures, growers can ensure their crops stay healthy and productive throughout the season.
9. Moving Plants Outdoors during Summer Growing Season
After using a greenhouse to extend the growing season, it's time to move some plants outdoors during summer. This frees up space in the greenhouse and offers the plants a chance to bask in the full sun's rays. However, it's important to acclimate the plants gradually to outdoor conditions to avoid shock. Start by moving them for a few hours each day and gradually increase. Also, ensure that the plants are adequately watered and protected from pests and diseases. Moving plants outdoors during the summer growing season can help maximize growth and yield, creating a bountiful harvest for all backyard gardeners.
10. Using Greenhouses to Extend the Life of Annual Herbs.
Annual herbs, such as basil and cilantro, can be challenging to grow year-round in colder climates. Thankfully, a greenhouse can provide the ideal growing conditions for these herbs, extending their lifespan. You can maintain a constant supply of fresh herbs by using temperature-controlled greenhouse environments, where temperature and humidity are regulated and controlled. Whether it's for cooking or medicinal purposes, crops can be harvested well into the fall or early winter, extending the herb's lifetime by a significant amount. By following these tips, you can discover how easy it is to use a greenhouse and extend the growing season for annual herbs.