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An Amateur Gardening report outlines ways gardeners can use a greenhouse through winter, from cleaning glass and managing ventilation to insulating against frost. It also lists crops and seeds that can be grown or started under cover, while noting that protection needs depend on local conditions and the plants involved.
Amateur Gardening has published a set of winter greenhouse tips aimed at helping growers continue gardening in colder months, with advice on cleaning, insulation, ventilation and watering. The report, drawing on comments from landscape architect and garden designer Camellia Taylor, also identifies crops and seeds that can be grown or started under cover, though results will depend on greenhouse conditions and local weather.
The report recommends starting with a thorough clean at the end of the summer growing season. Gardeners are advised to clear leaves, algae and other debris from corners and gutters, wash the glass inside and out, sweep floors and shelving, and remove broken pots and unused materials. It also suggests checking for storm damage and removing slugs, snails, vine weevils and grubs that may be sheltering in the greenhouse. Cleaner panes can admit more of the limited daylight available in winter.
To limit cold damage, the article says growers can use horticultural fleece or bubble wrap on greenhouse walls and ceilings, check for gaps around doors and windows, and use a heater where needed. Taylor says she sets her heater to 5°C to protect pelargoniums and uses a minimum-maximum thermometer to track overnight temperatures. That is her personal setup, not a universal temperature recommendation; suitable conditions vary by plant and greenhouse.
Ventilation and watering also need attention. Taylor recommends opening the greenhouse on milder, sunny days to reduce damp, watering less than in warmer months and doing it in the morning. The report lists rocket and mizuna among winter salad crops, and says leeks, beetroot, carrots, kale and spinach can also be grown. Taylor says she sows sweet peas and broad beans in January, with chilies and tomatoes later in a heated propagator.
Keeping Crops Growing Through Winter
A greenhouse can give gardeners a protected place to maintain some crops and start seeds while outdoor growing slows. The advice matters because winter light, damp and frost can create different problems from those faced in spring and summer: dirty glass can reduce available light, excess moisture can encourage mould, and cold can harm plants that are not hardy.
The recommendations are practical rather than a guarantee of year-round harvests. Heating, insulation and ventilation involve trade-offs: reducing heat loss may help protect plants, but air still needs to circulate on suitable days. Gardeners must match protection to the plants they are growing and the temperatures their own greenhouse reaches.
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Advice From a Kent Greenhouse
The source is an Amateur Gardening report based partly on an interview with Taylor in her garden in Kent, southern England. Taylor describes using a greenhouse beyond summer tomato growing, including to house pelargoniums and start seeds. The report also references advice from the Royal Horticultural Society, comparing a greenhouse to a “giant terrarium” with a range of growing possibilities.
The article frames its suggestions for gardeners in the run-up to winter and draws on a Southern England example. It does not give a full regional growing calendar or specify greenhouse dimensions, glazing type or insulation performance. Those details affect how much protection a structure offers, so the examples should be adapted to local climate and conditions.
“First thing is to give it a good deep clean.”
— Camellia Taylor, landscape architect and garden designer, as quoted by Amateur Gardening
Local Conditions Shape Winter Results
The report does not establish which crops will thrive in every greenhouse or provide specific temperature thresholds for each plant. Local frost, greenhouse construction, available light and heating can all affect outcomes. It also does not quantify likely yields, energy costs or how much insulation changes overnight temperatures.
Taylor’s heater setting and sowing schedule are personal examples, and the article does not include a controlled comparison of different methods. Gardeners should treat them as starting points rather than guarantees, checking conditions in their own greenhouse and following crop-specific growing guidance.
Check Conditions Before Sowing
For gardeners planning to follow the advice, the next steps described in the report are to clean and inspect the greenhouse, address gaps or damage, and decide which crops suit the available protection. A thermometer can help track overnight lows, while regular checks for pests, mould and excess damp can flag problems early.
The article does not announce a follow-up report or a fixed timetable for further guidance. Winter growing decisions will need to respond to local forecasts and actual greenhouse temperatures, particularly before sowing or leaving plants at risk of frost.
Key Questions
What should I do before using a greenhouse for winter gardening?
The report advises cleaning the glass, gutters, floors and shelves; removing plant debris and broken pots; checking for storm damage; and looking for pests such as slugs, snails and vine weevils. It also recommends checking doors and windows for gaps that could let cold air in.
Which crops does the report suggest growing under cover in winter?
It lists rocket and mizuna as winter salad options, along with leeks, beetroot, carrots, kale and spinach. The report also says sweet pea and foxglove seeds can be sown under cover. Success will depend on local conditions and the protection available.
Does every greenhouse need a heater set to 5°C?
No such general recommendation is made. The 5°C setting is Taylor’s personal example for protecting her pelargoniums. The report does not specify a suitable setting for all plants or greenhouses.
Why open a greenhouse during winter?
Taylor recommends opening it on milder, sunny days to help prevent damp building up. The advice is to ventilate when conditions allow, while continuing to protect plants from cold and frost.
Source: amateurgardening.com
