Photo: Olga Lioncat

What temperature is too cold for a greenhouse?

Greenhouse Defined A hothouse must maintain a minimum nighttime temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, while a cool house sets the minimum of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum temperature is usually around 90 degrees during the day, year-round.

backyardboss.net - How to Use a Greenhouse in Winter - Backyard Boss

Do privacy fences decrease home value?

For example, if you have a less-than-desirable view from the backyard, building a tall privacy fence can increase the home's value when it's time...

Last updated May 18, 2019

Should I pour a slab for my shed?

If you're getting a shed without a built-in floor you're going to need a concrete pad. The walls of your shed will actually get anchored to the...

Last updated Aug 7, 2022

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Flipboard

Email

Having a greenhouse is a luxury that many gardeners envy. Having a second home for your plants saves time when it comes to winterizing the garden, keeping your tropical plants happy, provides a warm place to hangout, and so much more! Even better, this great structure will keep your plants safe during the winter and give you a head start on the growing season. Enjoy year-round greenery and lovely veggies with the help of your greenhouse. If this seems like a great option for you start doing research and evaluate your space in your yard. Maybe these uses for a greenhouse in winter will encourage you to make the purchase!

Greenhouse Defined

If your idea of a greenhouse involves ordering something that comes in a box and needs to be wrapped in plastic – then you actually are considering a cold frame (but more on that later). So it’s important to define what a greenhouse is in order to highlight exactly what you need and how it can be used throughout the winter. A greenhouse can either be operated as a hothouse or cool house – or both depending on your uses of it through the year. A hothouse must maintain a minimum nighttime temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, while a cool house sets the minimum of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum temperature is usually around 90 degrees during the day, year-round. In order to maintain these temps, there must be a way to heat your greenhouse in winter accordance to the size, as well as allow it to vent heat through the season. Greenhouses also depend on solar heat in many places to help keep the space warm as the design provides ample opportunity for sunlight penetration through both clear and opaque glass and plexiglass style panes. In many instances, there may also be a shade to draw across the top to help block strong light and help keep the plants cooler in warmer months.

Difference Between a Greenhouse and Coldframe

Taking into account how a greenhouse is defined above, in contrast, a cold frame is a structure that helps extend your growing season both prior to and after incidences of seasonal frost warnings. These can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and are a helping hand for gardeners to harness the energy and heat of the sun to get plants started early, and extend your harvestable seasons. In general, these are not a year-round structure that is put into use, nor is it heated. They can be used in warmer climates that have plenty of winter sun and lower incidences of temperatures that drop below freezing. But in these climates, they are still not considered a true greenhouse even if they do provide a similar service.

Why are barns red in Vermont?

Historically, barns were painted red, not for aesthetic reasons, but out of practical necessity, which is consistent with the frugality of...

Last updated Feb 5, 2018

Does vinegar remove rust?

For more stubborn rust, try using white vinegar. The acetic acid in this common household product is acidic enough to dissolve rust. You can soak...

Last updated Dec 11, 2022

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Heating Your Greenhouse in Winter

Obviously, the biggest challenge to maintaining temperatures in a greenhouse is through the winter months. Shade screens and vented windows to allow a breeze through and help keep intense sunlight from warming your area too much is easier through the summer in comparison to keeping your area warm through the winter. Southern climates that receive a lot of sunlight may be able to depend on heat from the sun, but should always be prepared for a dip in temperatures through unexpected winter weather. The other issues concerns how greenhouses are not very well insulated, meaning they can lose trapped heat quickly as outside temperatures begin to drop. To heat your greenhouse you will need to consider artificial means. Depending on the size of your space (see our article about choosing heater sizes here) you can use a variety of different solutions. Wood heaters, electric space heaters, portable gas and electric options, and even more permanent choices are all worth considering to help bring your space up to acceptable temps. You may even want to consider installing a thermostat for larger areas for hassle-free heating.

Greenhouse Uses in Winter

Because of the heated nature of a greenhouse through cold months, it actually opens itself up for a wide variety of uses. Obviously, the main use of a greenhouse is to provide an artificial climate for gardening purposes and can support many different varieties of plants that may not naturally be found where you live. You can also extend growing seasons, plant year-round, harvestable gardens with the use of grow lights, and create indoor gardens complete with landscaping options if space allows.

Winter Gardening

As mentioned above, you can have your own winter garden to help force fruits and vegetables bloom and grow for fresh eating options. You will want to provide artificial light as the shorter winter days and sunlight wavelengths have just as much to do with plant growth as temperatures do.

Keeping Tropical Alive

If you love your tropical plants but hate how they become dull and listless through the winter, a greenhouse is an excellent way to enjoy them as they are meant to be. Tropical plants cycle through seasonal sunlight changes but are not equipped for drastic fluctuations in temperatures. You can always include a grow light to help force blooms as well.

Supporting Wildlife

How can I learn basic woodworking?

Woodworking for Beginners: 6 Easy Tips to Get Started 6 Tips for Woodworking for Beginners: Create a simple woodworking setup. ... Learn how to...

Last updated Jan 10, 2019

Where do you put an air gap?

Air gaps should be located in places where that discharged water will go to the drain; not all over a countertop, and especially not underneath a...

Last updated Jan 12, 2019

Promotion

Butterfly gardens, as well as birds, can be cultivated within greenhouses with very little effort. If you are a bird enthusiast a greenhouse can become a spacious way to keep them in a more natural, cage-free environment. Including small ponds or fountains is all you need to complete the habitat. Just be sure to use cascading chains in front of doors, or other means to secure wildlife within the greenhouse to avoid their escape.

Creating a Hot Tub Oasis

Hot tubs are popular additions to greenhouse inspired spaces to help add humidity to the area, as well as to fully enjoy the effect of year-round greenery. This is especially true if you have space built off your house to provide you with easy access.

Sun Room Uses

Using an area of your greenhouse as a patio-like space to relax and lounge within is also an excellent use. If you enjoy sitting in your garden during the summer, there is no reason you have to give this habit up- plus, you don’t have to worry about annoying insects! Even if you have a small space, you can always hang a hammock to enjoy your surroundings with a hot drink and a good book.

Room to Entertain

If you regularly like to entertain guests, a spacious greenhouse can serve as a wonderful gathering place in the winter. The addition of garden lighting, seating areas, and decorative touches can turn your greenhouse into a comfortable gathering spot – even on cold winter nights.

Keep Your Plants Safe

Let go of your misconceptions about what a greenhouse is and try it out! Although it might feel overwhelming, they’ll help your garden immensely. With all the options out there your sure to find the perfect size and style for your garden. Unlock the potential of winter gardening with greenhouses! If you have new ideas or general questions, leave a comment below! Hopefully this article helped you make the decision to start your own greenhouse.

backyardboss.net - How to Use a Greenhouse in Winter - Backyard Boss

Can you put a static caravan in your garden without planning permission?

You do not need planning permission to park a caravan in your driveway or garden as long as it is being used as an annex of your home.

Last updated Jun 5, 2019

Can I build shed without base?

It may seem like unnecessary hard work and expense but it is vital to ensure you position your shed on a secure base. If you put your shed directly...

Last updated Oct 12, 2020

Promotion

Is quikrete as strong as concrete?

Quikrete fast setting concrete is just as strong as regular concrete. Concrete gets its strength from a chemical reaction that occurs over time...

Last updated Feb 23, 2020

Promotion

Can I make a shed a house?

Q: Can You Build a Tiny House out of a Shed? The short answer to this first question is “yes.” Plenty of people have already built their tiny...

Last updated Mar 27, 2022