How Warm Does a Greenhouse Get During Winter

Perhaps you’ve wondered, “How warm does a greenhouse get during winter?” It’s no secret that freezing temperatures are not suitable for the plants, whether they’re in a greenhouse or not. To keep them healthy, you need to make sure it doesn’t get too warm or too cold in your greenhouse.

The temperature of your greenhouse varies depending on several factors like climate, greenhouse glazing, outdoor temperature, and more. Generally, the temperature in a greenhouse is 30 degrees F higher than the outside temperature. However, weather, greenhouse glazing, the outside temperature can influence

Does a Greenhouse Work in the Winter?

In a word, yes. However, you need to prepare for winter season planting. Some of the factors you need to consider include insulation, pest infestation, and the types of plants you want to grow.

 

Insulation

Plants need energy (heat) to grow, so you need to consider your heat source during winter. Hold on to the energy/heat you’re getting by insulating your greenhouse.

 

Pest infestation

Aside from your plants, pests are also attracted to warmer climates during winter. To prevent pests from doing severe damage, get rid of dead leaves, plants, stone, empty pots, and other materials that can house pests.

 

Types of plants

Be practical about the type of plants you want to grow in your greenhouse. For instance, if the temperature doesn’t exceed 20 degrees F, it’s best to plant cold-season vegetables and herbs, such as garlic, onion, beans, spinach, shallots, etc.

 

How Do You Keep Your Greenhouse Warm During Winter?

As mentioned, plants need heat to survive and produce a flavorful harvest. Here are some of the ways you can keep your greenhouse warm during winter:

 

Add insulation

One of the cheapest ways to add insulation is to use bubble wrap. Aside from protecting fragile packages, a layer of bubble wraps on the wall can retain heat and block the cold. The larger the bubbles, the better the insulation.

 

Cover your plants

To provide additional warmth, it helps to cover your plants on colder nights. You can use row covers, tarps, and horticultural fleece to hold moisture. If it isn’t winter season, make sure to remove the cover during the day, especially if it’s too humid.

In areas with harsh winter like Montana and North Dakota, you can use frost fabric for added insulation. Frost fabric allows rain and irrigation to flow freely into your greenhouse while retaining heat. If you have plants that thrive best in humid environments, consider putting frost fabric.

 

Install a heating system

One of the sure-fire ways to keep your greenhouse warm during winter is to install a heating system. However, heaters can be expensive, and the heat will dissipate if you turn the heater off. You can use space heaters specifically made for greenhouses. If you’re not comfortable having extension cords in your greenhouse, opt for propane heaters. Keep in mind that you need to distribute the heated air throughout your greenhouse.

 

Why Are Greenhouses Worth the Investment?

Home gardeners can benefit from having a greenhouse during winter. If you’re still on the fence, here are some of the reasons why a greenhouse is worth the splurge:

 

Extend growing season

Greenhouses can extend the growing season of your plants. If you live in Idaho, Oregon, or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest area, summers are cool and short, making it challenging to grow individual plants. Greenhouses allow you to start planting even if there’s still frost outside.

It will also protect your plants from rain, preventing them from becoming mildewy. You can continue harvesting your crop even when the outdoor temperature is colder than usual.

 

Grow different types of plants

You don’t have to rely on seasons to grow certain plants. If you live in the northern part of the country, then you know how challenging it is to grow warm-season crops. Citrus trees, eggplants, and melons cannot thrive in regions with cold winters – unless you put them in a greenhouse.

By installing a greenhouse with a heating system and grow lights, you can plant and harvest different types of fruits and vegetables. You don’t have to wait for another growing season to start planting. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned gardener, you can definitely benefit from having a greenhouse.

 

Protect plants from wind and precipitation

Extreme precipitation can harm your plants, especially the tender ones. After heavy rain, you may notice that some of your plants are bent to the ground. A light layer of snow can destroy an entire garden of fragile plants.

If you often experience frost and heavy rains, growing your plants in a greenhouse is a better idea. You can control the environment by adding insulation, cover, electric heaters, solar heating, and other natural heat sources. This allows you to create a microclimate inside your greenhouse despite outside temperatures.

 

The Answer to “How Warm Does A Greenhouse Get During Winter?”

There are several options when it comes to warming your greenhouse during winter. You don’t have to spend a fortune to create the perfect climate in your greenhouse. To sum up, the answer to the question, “How warm does a greenhouse get during winter?” depends on the outside temperature and the heating techniques you’re implementing.