As a farmer, you understand how important it is to maintain healthy eating for your family and consume fresh produce all year round. Winter months can be a bit scary, but that does not mean you have to give up your gardening hobby come winter season. With a traditional greenhouse or cold frame greenhouse, it is possible to grow various root vegetables, plants, herbs, and fruits even in areas experiencing cold temperatures throughout the winter season, such as the US.
However, you need to know what can thrive well in your winter garden in that specific area of your country. This will help you decide what to grow and what not to grow. It is also important to note that while some crops can withstand the cooler temperatures of a cold frame greenhouse, others will require an additional source of artificial heat. With that in mind, here is how you can maintain a thriving greenhouse throughout the winter months.
Winterize
The winterizing process is fairly routine for greenhouse owners to clean up from late summer and fall harvest season to get the greenhouse in top working shape before snow falls. The remaining organic materials are thoroughly cleaned out, whereas walls and equipment are scrubbed and disinfected. Also, moving parts are inspected for any maintenance requirements, which should be repaired or replaced before the snowfalls.
Control Heat and Humidity
With cold temperatures outside your greenhouse, there is high demand for heat inside your greenhouse. Thus, you will need an efficient heating system for your plants to grow. However, certain fungal diseases grow well in warm places, and when the outside is inhospitable, the diseases may settle in your greenhouse. To avoid such diseases from attacking your crops, you can balance the heat and humidity inside your greenhouse by ensuring proper ventilation. Allow fresh air to circulate and ventilate regularly.
Avoid Overwatering
With high humidity levels and regulated temperatures inside the greenhouse, there is no need to water your crops every time. This, however, doesn’t mean that you should leave your crops to dry out; instead, try watering at least once or twice a week.
Remove Build-Up Snow
During winter season, it is expected for snow to accumulate on your greenhouse. Always remove it as soon as you see a build-up since it reflects away the sunlight and will reduce the heat inside.
Continue to Fertilize
With reduced daylight, the growing process slows down. Hence you don’t need as much fertilizer as you would during summer but use half the amount you would use on specific plants during the hot season. You can also use compost, aged manures, and chopped leaves as your fertilizer and earth them between crops. If you’re going for liquid or granular fertilizer, make sure that you read the instructions given before applying.
A greenhouse offers growers a consistent and controlled environment, enabling them to keep their crops coming up all year-round. It helps keep the production steady even when temperatures drop.