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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.
How Do I Grow Arugula in My Greenhouse From Seed to Salad?
Arugula is an easy, hardy winter green that thrives in cool greenhouse conditions, reseeds itself naturally, and requires minimal pest control with simple mesh covers in spring. Growing your own arugula lets you enjoy fresh, flavorful leaves and edible flowers all winter long, perfect for salads or toppings. Understanding its growth cycle helps you maximize harvests and incorporate this nutritious green into your seasonal meals confidently.
My potluck arugula salad is sprinkled with jewel-toned tropical pomegranate seeds. My neighbour Barbara is excited and quickly tells me how much she loves the bitter taste of arugula. So I tell her I grow arugula as a winter crop and now she is all ears.
It’s 7 AM and I’m having coffee in my cozy rocking chair waiting for the sun to come up so I can walk the dogs.
What are the best tactics to keep your plants alive in a winter greenhouse? Protecting plants in winter requires matching their cold tolerance to the right strategies, such as using row covers, fabric shelters, thermostatic heaters, and airflow management to create microclimates within your greenhouse. Tropical plants should be moved indoors before the first frost, while semi-tropical species like citrus and bananas can thrive under floating row covers and supplemental heat. Temperate and hardy plants—like kale, arugula, and geraniums—often survive with less protection, but benefit from insulation, moisture, and bottom heat for propagation; overall success depends on segmenting your space, monitoring temperatures, and applying targeted heating only where needed.
All these items will help your winter greenhouse.
What are the 6 essential tips for cleaning a greenhouse before winter sets in? The best time to clean your greenhouse is in late fall when plant growth slows, focusing on removing dead plants, reducing watering, clearing cobwebs, washing overwintering plants, and cleaning row covers to prevent pests and diseases. A thorough fall cleaning deters common greenhouse problems like mold, fungus gnats, and spider mites, ensuring a healthier growing environment for the upcoming season. Starting early and cleaning on a sunny day optimizes results and prepares your greenhouse for a productive spring restart.
My husband and I planned a mid-week ski trip but on departure day I was still in my off finishing a time-sensitive project. We were staying overnight at the hill, it was still a workday, and the car was loaded up. There was no rush to get moving.
Arnold is always hungry. And some of his favorite foods are the fruits and vegetables I grow in my greenhouse. He also eats the plants of the tomatoes and squash I grow. He gently pokes around, licking up the small green fruits first and then chomps down on the whole tangled twisted plant.
What are the tips for managing and double cropping in a greenhouse to prepare for winter? Effective greenhouse management in summer involves double cropping fast-growing plants like radishes between slower growers such as peppers, using trap crops like beans to monitor pests, and starting winter-hardy crops early to maximize space and season length. Planning ahead by maintaining seedlings in flats and supplementing nutrients ensures continuous, healthy growth, allowing gardeners to transition smoothly from summer to fall and winter crops. This strategic approach optimizes greenhouse productivity year-round and helps prevent common pest issues.
Managing your winter greenhouse with crops coming and going is a bit of an art form, so please bear with me. It involves starting seeds directly in greenhouse soil and also starting seeds in flats on shelves or potting benches.
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.
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.
