If I had a greenhouse would I be able to grow vegetables (beans, peas) in the winter?

Question

I have a really small garden but if I could find a mini greenhouse could I grow things still? I'm sure I've seen plastic ones somewhere before.

Answer 1

yes, you would be able to grow such things as vegetables. the green house captures the heat and makes sure that the water wont evaporate. some vegetables grow in summer and spring because they need the heat. if you grow them outside in winter, they wouldn't survive because the temperatures wont be high enough for them, and they will most likely suffer from frost. if you grew them in a green house, there would be enough heat (considering they got some sun) to make them grow. some plants need UV light to grow though. you can buy special lights that emit UV light that makes the plants grow. you can also get heaters to heat up the greenhouse, in case you dont get enough sun to heat up the greenhouse.

another idea, i thought i might add, is that you can make your own greenhouse for individual plants, or if you are growing seedlings. to make one for a individual plant, you just get 4 sticks and place them in the corners around the plant and you just cover it in plastic. this only really works for pots though, because you need somewhere to secure the bag, or plastic so that it is as closed in as you could make it. i have just put a plastic bag over 4 scewers in a pot, and tied it at the bottom with a rubber band!
to make a hot house for seedlings, just put them in a big plastic tub with a lid, and dont for get to water them, and then you have your own mini greenhouse!

hope this helps :)

Answer 2

The answer is no. Even if we have a mild winter the light levels are too low, growth would be spindly and weak. Try growing smaller veg in small troughs indoors. On mild days they could be put outside and brought in at night. Most Seed Copmpanies have a range of mini veg especially for such situations. They don't cost a great deal so try some out. Another idea would be the sprouting veg. This is grown like cress and is cropped at the same size. Hope this helps and lots of luck.

Answer 3

The National Vegetable Society, Winter Crops from the Greenhouse
I am always surprised that many gardeners who grow excellent summer crops in glasshouses fail to use them for vegetable production in winter and early spring

www.nvsuk.org.uk/growing_show_vegetables_1/winter_crops_greenhouse.php

Answer 4

I've tried it before-the results are disappointing on a home level. I was able to winter over a few herbs-mostly parsley and chives,but even they died out when the weather got really cold.Another problem was unusually warm winter days-if you're not home to open up the "greenhouse" the plants cook from the quick rise in temp.

Answer 5

If the greenhouse is heated I think you'll be able to grow peas and beans but there will be a 50/50 chance because they may need natural sunshine. You should be able to grow mushrooms.

Answer 6

Yes you can but you have to pick you crops carefully.

I have been doing season extension for over a decade and find the best crops for me for over wintering in SW Ohio, are lettuce, arugula, spinach, radishes, broccoli, cabbage and cilantro. You can start most of these as late as Mid September and harvest most of the winter and certainly in early spring

Crops that do well until Early/Mid December include zucchini, cantaloupes, peppers, tomatoes, green beans. These will die if it gets much below 10F outside the green house unless you have supplemental heat. These crops need to be in the ground by mid August except peppers and tomatoes which need to be in the ground by late July

Not much of anything will grow between Late December and late January in most of the USA without artificial light. Still, with proper planning and getting your winter crops in at the right time you can eat fresh food just about 12 months out of the year in most of North America

Answer 7

yes you cold there are all kind of things you can grow in a green house that isnt heated. if you invest in some time and a little you could solar heat it with milk jugs filled with water and the outside painted black to radiate. the best thing you can do is read read read about green houses and plants so that you can the best out your plans.

Answer 8

You could try. Remember in winter, the days are shorter, less hours of sunlight per day.