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When I moved homes and built a new greenhouse, I was in for quite a surprise. The natural soil on my new lot is sand. Pure, yellow sand. This means it drains really well. It also means it does not hold nutrients to feed my plants.
Want to kickstart your greenhouse garden this season? The best time to begin is now. Cool-weather crops like arugula, bok choi, spinach, and radishes thrive in early spring greenhouse conditions—even in unheated spaces. Warm the soil with heating cables or IRT mulch to speed up germination and enjoy a head start on the growing season. Greenhouse gardening in late winter or early spring also means fewer pests, like flea beetles. While heat-loving plants like peppers need more warmth to sprout, starting them indoors on a damp paper towel can ensure strong, healthy transplants later. With the right timing and a simple crop schedule, your greenhouse can produce fresh greens and veggies year-round.
Showing off my arugula (also known as rocket) on Instagram leads to a lot of questions about my greenhouse and what I currently have growing.
You can grow more in every square foot by dividing your greenhouse into vertical and horizontal zones—utilizing floor, bench, wall, and ceiling space with hanging baskets, tiered shelving, trellises, and container gardens. What are the best space-saving strategies for small greenhouses? Consider soilless systems like hydroponics, train climbing plants vertically, and use modular, bolt-on features to efficiently scale your layout for high yield—even in an 8x8 greenhouse.
If you're dreaming of growing your own food but worried your space is too small, you're not alone. Every week, we hear from new gardeners who want to grow fresh fruits and vegetables, expanding their growing season, or overwinter plants—but aren't sure if a compact greenhouse can truly deliver.
Here's the good news: With a smart setup, even an 8x8 greenhouse can yield hundreds of pounds of produce per year. Whether you're growing greens to supplement your grocery bill or creating a garden sanctuary in your backyard, these space-saving strategies will help you grow more in every square foot.
In my region an atmospheric river flooded out roads, rails and farms. This probably seems pretty minor compared to areas affected by cyclones and hurricanes but one thing is certain: there has never been a better time to own a greenhouse.
What are the tips for greenhouse gardening in March and April? Early spring greenhouse gardening involves starting fruit cuttings like raspberries over heat mats to encourage rooting, transplanting hardy crops such as peas for early harvests, and directly sowing cold-tolerant seeds like radishes, spinach, and arugula in unheated soil. By managing space, timing crops carefully, and using seasonally appropriate strategies, gardeners can extend their growing season and enjoy fresh produce well before outdoor gardens mature. This approach maximizes greenhouse productivity while creating a rewarding, year-round gardening experience.
I close my eyes as I bask in the sun, heat on my face. I take off my jacket and then my hat. My neighbors, friends and family have gone away to Martinique, Belize and Spain but I am experiencing the best holiday. I am sitting in the sun at home – in my Greenhouse Garden.
What is the best soil for greenhouse gardening? The ideal soil for greenhouse growing balances drainage, nutrient retention, and microbial activity—making custom blends like loam, triple mix, or super soil more effective than natural or bagged top soils. Should you use bagged soil or soil-less mixes in a greenhouse? While convenient, most bagged top soils and soil-less mixes lack essential nutrients and structure for long-term crops, so combining them with compost or organic amendments is key. How can you create high-performance soil for greenhouse plants? Blending your own triple mix (one-third soil, compost, and peat) or upgrading to a nutrient-rich super soil with worm castings, biochar, and trace minerals provides a strong foundation for healthier plants, richer flavors, and vibrant blooms.
If you are new to gardening and think growing is just a matter of adding water, you're in for a surprise. With terms like super soil, triple mix, natural soil, and even soil with no soil—it's no wonder new gardeners feel overwhelemed. So how do you choose the right soil for strong, healthy growth? And how do you get the most flavorful food and the brightest blooms?
My tomatoes are sitting beside me in the front seat of my shiny black station wagon. We are on our way to the fair!
What are the 5 easy steps to start my greenhouse garden today? To kickstart your greenhouse garden, begin by buying ready-to-plant vegetables, adding quality soil or potting mix, and growing in nursery pots if beds aren’t built yet. How do I quickly set up a productive greenhouse space with minimal effort? Install shelves for vertical growing, personalize your space for comfort (yes, even a chandelier!), and remember: starting small today means thriving plants tomorrow.
I called Rodney a year after his greenhouse was installed. I expected him to brag about the size of his tomatoes or the hours he spends sitting and enjoying the beautiful space he created.
