We all know that it’s important to care for our greenhouses in the summertime, but what about in the winter? Do we just shut them down and leave them alone until the warm weather comes back around? That might be one approach, but it’s certainly not the best one. With these simple steps, you can take care of your greenhouse and ensure that it lasts you through all four seasons and provides a safe, fertile home for your plants.
Do plants in the greenhouse grow as fast in the winter?
Plants will grow, but not as fast. Plants need warmth, light and water to grow. All three are present inside your greenhouse in winter, but there is less warmth and light. It is therefore recommended to modify your greenhouse to maximise the chances of your plants surviving and thriving in the winter months.
Keeping the Greenhouse Warm with insulation pads over the windows
Your greenhouse is no different than your home and can become very cold. Even with our relatively mild winter days, we lose temperature quickly at night and on cloudy days. To maintain consistent temperatures and save energy, you’ll want to cover your greenhouse windows with insulation pads; they’re cheap and easy to install. You can buy insulation pads or make them yourself out of insulative materials. Cut blankets into squares (about 12 inches per side) and place them over your greenhouse windows to insulate in the winter season. Make sure the light can still get in, however.
Passive Solar heating
This clever solar heating solution makes use of plastic bottles, filled with water and painted black. These heat up on a hot day and then retain the heat which they then radiate in the following days automatically. Place them around your aluminium or wood greenhouse for the best results.
Should I get Greenhouse staging and shelves?
All greenhouses need some sort of staging and shelves. If your greenhouse doesn’t come with them, then you will need to purchase some. This can be done rather easily and it will make your life a lot easier. So if you want your plants to survive through winter without dying, you will need staging and shelves so that they are above ground level.
Conclusion – A Greenhouse in the Wintertime can Facilitate year-round growing
What it all comes down to is that using a greenhouse helps you grow year-round. In fact, being able to grow through winter helps home growers produce more food throughout every season. Why just have fall crops when you can have spring crops? So with that knowledge in mind, why not start looking into plans and supplies today? You’ll be glad you did! Also feel free to contact us if we can help answer any questions about constructing your own greenhouse. We’re happy and eager to share our knowledge and experience with you!
