What to Know about Winter Greenhouse Growing? A Labor of Love
Quick Answer
What should you know before starting? Winter greenhouse gardening is a rewarding but planning-intensive process that requires selecting cold-hardy crops, managing light levels (especially when daylight falls below 10 hours), and using techniques like nursery starts to maximize harvests. Success demands attention to airflow and temperature control, as well as a realistic understanding of slower growth cycles.
Navigating the Workload
When I bought a box of 206 frozen, unbaked croissants, the baker asked: “Do you know how much work this is going to be?”
Growing food in your winter greenhouse is similar to raising a puppy or baking croissants—it takes commitment. While it requires energy to teach a puppy to "heel" or a seed to grow, the "work" of winter gardening has been studied since the 19th century and is now more accessible than ever.
Simplified Success
Using resources like The Winter Market Gardener by J.M. Fortier, the complex "work" of winter gardening is simplified into manageable schedules and tips.
Top Tips for Winter Success
Day Length
Growth slows or stops when natural light falls below 10 hours a day.
Airflow
Use fans and vents to prevent disease and keep plants healthy.
Spacing
Space winter crops wider than summer crops to reduce disease risk.
Cold Tolerance
Spinach is hardier than kale; kale is hardier than arugula.
Sugar Levels
Cold makes leaves sweeter and more resistant to freezing.
Nursery Settings
Start crops indoors first to maximize efficient use of greenhouse space.
Light Levels vs. Temperature
For growing food, the length of day is more critical than artificial heat. If you plan to eat spinach or kale, the plants must reach edible size before the "no-grow" period (mid-October to mid-February). Even if temperatures are high, plants won't produce new leaves without sufficient light.
Pro Strategies for Winter Dreaming
Early Planning
December is the perfect time to order cold-tolerant seeds. Look for cultivars with short "days to maturity," like Jade Spring Pac Choi (30-50 days).
Nursery Areas
A small indoor nursery allows you to raise plants with strong roots while your fall tomatoes finish their season in the greenhouse.
Ready to Start?
Winter growing is a carefully orchestrated program. It requires knowing your crops, understanding your greenhouse's limits, and staggering your planting. Don't waste energy on summer crops like cucumbers in January—focus on the cold-hardy favorites that thrive in the frost.
Contact Woody’s Plant Nursery to discuss the best greenhouse structures and seeds for your winter journey.
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