Quick Answer:

What are the tips for ordering seeds and supplies for hobby greenhouse growing? To succeed in hobby greenhouse gardening, it’s crucial to read seed catalog fine print carefully—choosing parthenocarpic varieties for cucumbers and zucchinis that don’t require pollination, selecting heat-tolerant and slow-bolting plant varieties, and using foliar fertilizers for cold soils. Understanding pollination needs, temperature tolerance, and plant growth habits ensures better yields and healthier crops year-round. Starting seeds indoors, like onions in January, and adapting to your greenhouse environment helps optimize growth and harvest success.

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Before You Order Seeds for Your Hobby Greenhouse, Read the Fine Print

 

When I started growing in my Greenhouse Garden a few of my favourite plants stopped working for me. That's what I learned to read the catalog fine print and adapt my shopping for a better hobby greenhouse growing. 

Quick Answer:

How Much Food Can My Small Greenhouse Grow?
A small 8’ x 8’ greenhouse can produce a surprisingly abundant and diverse harvest by maximizing vertical and horizontal space with crops like microgreens, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, especially when supplemented with seasonal heating and grow lights. Crop selection and greenhouse heating significantly impact yield and growing seasons, allowing multiple successive harvests and year-round gardening possibilities. To optimize food production, gardeners should prioritize fast-maturing crops they love and efficiently use all growing areas, including shelves, pots, and hanging baskets.

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We get asked regularly "how much food can I grow in one of your smaller greenhouses?" 

Quick Answer:

Why Should I Start My Fall Crops Now?
Starting fall crops in August maximizes your greenhouse space by replacing summer plants like zucchini or lettuce with fast-growing cool-season crops such as radish, kale, peas, and spinach. This strategic transition extends your harvest into fall and winter while allowing you to propagate strawberries, collect seeds, and prepare transplants. By planning now, you create a continuous cycle of fresh food, making your greenhouse more productive year-round.

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August Plants

August crops are growing so fast that I should have a time-lapse camera to record the speedy growth. It’s a good thing I’m home all month to watch the changes and get the next crops planted and growing.  Check out my tips to grow your own food too!

Quick Answer:

Should I Buy Shade Cloth This Summer?
Yes—installing shade cloth is a game-changing upgrade that instantly lowers greenhouse temperatures, prevents plant stress, and transforms your space into a productive and enjoyable retreat during hot weather. Shade cloth improves plant health, reduces cooling system strain, and can make your greenhouse a cool midday escape—even at 30°C. Choose 47–70% shade depending on your glazing and exposure, and install before summer heat peaks for optimal results.

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Hot Summer Gardening

I had to take a break in the shade. It was over 30 C, the sun was beating down and I was thinking I might be getting heat stroke. So I stepped into my greenhouse to cool down.

 

Quick Answer:

When should I start planting in my greenhouse this spring to avoid leggy seedlings? Start seeds in mid-to-late March or later, ensuring they get plenty of light and cool temperatures to promote sturdy growth. How can I prevent and fix leggy tomato plants? Avoid early fertilizing, use fans to simulate natural wind for stronger stems, and if plants become leggy, transplant them deep to encourage root growth along the stem for healthier, robust tomatoes.

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Rick cornered Helpful Husband on the 19^th hole at the golf course. Rick keeps trying to grow a perfect spring tomato but once again his tomatoes are tall, thin and floppy. He hoped asking Helpful Husband would get the message across to me and it did.

Quick Answer:

What Lessons Can I Learn from Trial and Error in Greenhouse Growing?
Trial and error in greenhouse gardening teaches vital lessons about timing, pest protection, and crop management, such as waiting to turn on watering systems until heat is active and understanding when to harvest crops like quinoa to avoid loss. Experimenting with unusual plants expands your gardening skills but requires research and adaptation to local conditions, including wildlife challenges. Ultimately, growing your own food year-round is about balancing fresh harvests with smart storage and enjoying the unique rewards of home greenhouse gardening.

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Trial and Error in Greenhouse Growing

My water wand blew up in the last brutal storm of the season when water froze in my greenhouse. No one was expecting that cold spell but then again we live in a Northern climate and a wintertime greenhouse garden is usually cold. I should have known better.

Quick Answer:

Sterilizing your soil, pots, and trays is essential when starting seeds in a greenhouse to prevent disease, improve seedling survival, and create optimal growing conditions—use commercial seed starter mixes, sterilize reused containers with bleach, and consider homemade sterile blends or soil baking for best results. 

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Sterility in the greenhouse sounds somber but in a few instances, it truly matters and saves gardeners from hassle and disappointment. Here is where I heed caution.