3. Pest Prevention

Although you’re clearly a nature lover, there’s nothing more annoying than pests and animals coming to damage your much-loved plants. With a greenhouse, your plants will have a place to thrive and grow without the disturbance of any unwanted guests. Especially during those cold winter nights.

Your greenhouse’s enclosed structure means you never have to worry about visitors creeping onto your plants again!

4. The Freedom of Growing Whatever Plants You Want

Knowing and understanding your greenhouse environment is crucial to growing produce. Once you do, there’ll be an unlimited supply of the types of plants you’ll be able to grow!

You don’t have to stick to just one type of plant. You can expand your knowledge and love of nature by delving into brand new vegetation. Some of which are perfect for a greenhouse in winter.

A Few Tips on How to Use Unheated Greenhouse

1. Starting Seeds

If you’re looking to grow seeds, the perfect time for this is in the cooler months. Seed germination tends to occur in colder climates so late winter and early spring are perfect times!

If you’re looking to grow straight from the ground, it’s best to prep the soil first by building your greenhouse in the best position. This would be in direct sunlight early in the morning and is best done around 2 weeks before planting.

If you’re aiming to grow warm-season plants, it’s best to start planting these into the ground around one to two weeks before the last frost dates. Warm-season plants include:

• Pumpkin
• Winter Squash
• Sweet potato

2. Hardening Off

Acclimating plants is so important. For example, any houseplants you may have got from a garden centre would need to be carefully introduced into their new environment.

It’s important to acclimate plants to reduce the amount of difficulty your plants may have adapting to a new reduced temperature. When you acclimate your plants, you’ll also help thicken the waxy leaf covering they have!

When it comes to seeds and seed trays, cool-season plants such as broccoli can be acclimated a week earlier, whilst warm-season plants can begin the acclimation process two weeks before the last frost dates in your area.

However, if you’ve bought a plant straight from the store, you can place this straight into the cold frame for acclimation.

Tips for Successful Winter Gardening 

Now you’ve got everything ready and you know what you’re wanting to grow. Here are a few last-minute tips for gardening in winter during the cooler environment!

• Space – Make sure you have enough greenhouse space for your plants. Overcrowding them can limit their growth potential and could cause them to die. Make sure the leaves don’t touch and they’ll thrive!

• Raised garden beds – If this is what you’re interested in, make sure you thin out the weak plants. This is to give the hardier plants room to grow.

• Signs of disease – If you see any signs of disease on your winter vegetables, remove these plants straight away. This is to prevent this from damaging your other produce.

• Pests – If you want to ensure pests are kept away, try planting marigolds. These have natural pest repellants in them!

• Ladybugs – These beautiful insects are considered beneficial to your greenhouse. They can help to keep those pests under control!

Once you’ve taken all of these steps into consideration, you’re ready to create the perfect greenhouse! Grow those incredible colourful flowers or those tasty garden vegetables. If you’re still a little unsure about which greenhouse is best for you, take a look at our range of incredible greenhouses!

You can find polycarbonate greenhouses and glass greenhouses, so whichever you prefer, the right one is there for you. Now is the perfect time to take the leap and get planting!