I am starting an unheated greenhouse this week, what to sow?
newbee asked:
This week Im starting an unheated greenhouse in NC, about halfway between Hendersonville and Charlotte. It will be 10feet long, wide and high. Can any novice greenhouse growers recommend what seeds would have a strong growth potential? I want to have a successful first year experience and Im doing this for a hobby with about 6 hours a day to invest. Any advise would be appreciated.
This week Im starting an unheated greenhouse in NC, about halfway between Hendersonville and Charlotte. It will be 10feet long, wide and high. Can any novice greenhouse growers recommend what seeds would have a strong growth potential? I want to have a successful first year experience and Im doing this for a hobby with about 6 hours a day to invest. Any advise would be appreciated.
stay with the cooler weather crops like lettuce and cukes. do not be afraid to experiment. you can grow tomatoes there to. cukes and lettuce are the easiest to grow. do consider herbs also. go luck
Hi:
I have had a heated greenhouse for over ten years. An unheated greenhouse is called a cold frame. I live in the same zone as you do, zone seven.
I recommend to my clients to sow seeds in at least 68 degrees. Herbs especially need warmth for germination.
Some options for you are to store existing plant specimens in the cold frame and in early spring when the air temperature warms up some, go ahead and germinate your vegetables, herbs, or flowers.
Another option for you is to grow the seeds indoors and put them out in your cold frame once they have get established.
If you need further help or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at my website. I will link you to my site map as this page has everything that is on the website. There are articles on growing from seeds. I will also link you to my outdoor feature page, which has an article on cold frames.
Good luck to you and have a great day!
Kimberly
I don’t know how cold it gets in your area but I have learned some things that work in Maine. I have broccoli, kale, leeks, and brussels sprouts growing in an unheated greenhouse. These are plants that can handle frost. Nighttime temperatures here get below zero. I think you will have to start seeds in the house and move the plants to the greenhouse. Read the seed packets. Anything that says sow as soon as the soil can be worked should do well during the winter. Generally speaking that means greens and root vegetables. When night freezes in the greenhouse is no longer a threat you can plant almost anything you want. Have fun and don’t be afraid to try other plants. I don’t grow many herbs or flowers so I can’t help much with them.
I’m just north of Cincinnati zone 6a, and we are still picking carrots from our cold frame – 4′ high pvc hoop frame w/ roll plastic. We’ve had snow and 11 degree temps so far…
You didnt say if you were growing vegetables or flowering plants but ” just wonderin” had some good tips
(well really everyone did).
Go to a library or check on the internet what to grow.
Your going to love it.
have fun and be sure to have some circulating air going on in the day time. It could get up to 100* on a mild day in NC.