Quick Answer:

To stagger your harvest and maximize your greenhouse space, start cold-tolerant crops like cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, arugula, and green onions in mid to late summer, filling gaps as summer plants finish. This double-cropping method ensures a steady supply of fresh produce through fall and winter without needing supplemental heat. By seeding early, transplanting strategically, and using light frost protection like row covers, you can extend your growing season and enjoy bug-resistant, off-season harvests.

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The peak of summer brings the best of all worlds for the greenhouse gardener. Early tomatoes, the first zucchini and loads of strawberries. But there is another thing summer brings. The chance to start winter vegetables in your greenhouse.

Quick Answer:

To keep your plants safe in winter, use your greenhouse as a controlled environment by insulating with materials like bubble wrap, using energy-efficient methods such as partitioned zones or under-bench heating, and bringing more delicate plants indoors. Cold-hardy crops can thrive with minimal heating, and creative techniques like milk jug gardening or covered trays can extend your growing season. Personalize your setup to balance energy use, plant needs, and available space, turning setbacks—like a fallen Christmas cactus—into opportunities for propagation and resilience

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Saturday Morning Startle

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.

Quick Answer:

Strategically rotate crops by seeding quick growers like radishes and greens alongside longer-season vegetables, using every opening in your greenhouse to maintain continuous harvests from early spring through late fall—without needing a rigid chart, just readiness and smart succession planting.

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My crazy dogs

Corle ran ahead of me on the beach and stuck her head right into a dead seal. And then she took a big bite. 

Quick Answer:

Clearing greenhouse waste on a small scale involves chopping bulky plants into smaller pieces to speed composting, using tools like a chipper and rodent-proof compost bins such as the Speedibin for faster, pest-free decomposition. When animal assistance isn’t available, this method efficiently manages large volumes of plant debris, turning waste into valuable compost in about six months. Proper waste management not only keeps your greenhouse tidy but also supports sustainable gardening by recycling nutrients back into your soil.

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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.