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The greenhouse winterizing products you actually need are a heater sized to your space, a way to monitor temperatures overnight, and a circulating fan to keep warm air moving and prevent frost from settling into cold pockets. From there, add bubble or reflective insulation on north walls, soil heating cables or heat mats to keep roots warm, frost cloth for cold snaps, and a soft snow broom if you live where snow falls. A well-built structure from BC Greenhouse Builders, with insulating glazing and self-opening roof vents, means you’ll need fewer add-ons to keep growing all winter. 

Quick Answer

To force amaryllis and paperwhites for the holidays, plant amaryllis 6 to 10 weeks and paperwhites 4 to 6 weeks before your target bloom date, then give them bright light and steady temperatures above 50°F (10°C). Pot amaryllis snugly with the top third of the bulb above the soil, and grow paperwhites in gravel and water or well-draining potting mix. A greenhouse from BC Greenhouse Builders makes forcing easier, with more natural light for sturdier stems, cooler nights that help blooms last longer, and bench space to stagger plantings for color from December into February.

Quick Answer

In a winter greenhouse, you control humidity by combining light ventilation, careful watering, and steady air movement so surfaces can dry and plants stay healthy instead of sitting in constant damp. Aim for moisture that keeps foliage hydrated but not dripping, then use short venting sessions, open a door or louvre on mild days, avoid overwatering, and run a small circulating fan to break up condensation. A strong, thoughtfully designed structure from BC Greenhouse Builders, with roof vents, good glazing, and the right foundation, makes it much easier to keep that balance all season.

Quick Answer:

The five crops that thrive in a winter greenhouse are leafy greens, hardy herbs, root crops, cool season brassicas, and quick growing “fill in the gap” crops. When you focus on salads like spinach and lettuce, herbs such as parsley and chives, roots like carrots and beets, compact brassicas, and fast growers like radishes or baby mixes, your greenhouse can keep producing fresh food all winter instead of sitting empty.

Quick Answer:

Wintering over means using your greenhouse to protect existing plants through cold weather with minimal growth or maintenance. It focuses on insulation and frost protection rather than active production.
Winter growing keeps your greenhouse climate-controlled for active cultivation through the winter months, using heat, ventilation, and supplemental light to maintain growth. 
The right approach depends on your growing goals. Choose winter over for plant preservation and lower energy costs, or winter growing for true four-season harvests.

Quick Answer

The most efficient way to heat a greenhouse is to combine good insulation, sunlight, and smart airflow. Seal gaps, insulate the base, and use fivewall polycarbonate or double glass to hold heat. Add thermal mass to store daytime warmth and use thermostats and fans to spread heat evenly.

Quick Answer:

Winter greenhouse gardening focuses on growing cool-season crops that thrive in lower light and cooler temperatures, like lettuce, spinach, kale, carrots, and herbs. To keep plants healthy, maintain a temperature range of 45-65°F (7-18°C), provide  12-16 hours of light, and water sparingly in the morning. Consistent airflow, light fertilizing, and good soil drainage will keep your winter garden productive and vibrant all season long.

Quick Answer:

January is the best time to start your greenhouse because it allows you to jumpstart the growing season with ample preparation time, take advantage of winter sales for cost savings, and avoid springtime delays. Starting early also provides a quiet period to plan and customize your setup thoroughly, ensuring a smooth and productive gardening year. Beginning your greenhouse project in January supports sustainable living and helps you achieve your gardening goals with purpose and ease.

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The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities to plan and grow—both in life and in your garden. If you’ve been dreaming of a greenhouse, January is the perfect time to make that dream a reality. Here’s why:

Quick Answer:

To keep your greenhouse warm in winter, insulate with bubble wrap, use soil-heating cables or black barrels for thermal mass, and maintain airflow with fans—while energy curtains, Agribon layers, and thermostatic heaters provide targeted, efficient warmth to protect your plants.

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Keep your plants and people healthy this year

1. Add A Scarf
Providing heat just where you need it is easily accomplished with old-school Christmas lights or soil warming cables.

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What Are the Tips and Strategies to Maximize Your Winter Greenhouse Growing?
Maximizing winter greenhouse success involves keeping temperatures cool, using layered row covers to protect hardy crops, and starting seedlings early in a warm nursery before transplanting them to the cold greenhouse. Strategic use of soil warming cables, careful crop selection focused on cold-tolerant varieties, and staggered planting schedules help extend the growing season and increase yields despite low winter light. Experimentation and planning are key to adapting these strategies to your specific greenhouse conditions and achieving reliable winter harvests.

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An overview of winter greenhouse growing has been covered in our December 2023 blog post, but it seems worthwhile to expand the conversation of winter growing in a home or hobby greenhouse this month as well. For one thing, a greenhouse is not the end of the story. A few other accessories and ideas will make you a more successful grower this winter.