Starting a greenhouse is an exciting venture, allowing you to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce year-round. For beginners, choosing the right plants to grow is crucial to ensuring a successful and enjoyable gardening experience. Some plants thrive in greenhouse conditions and are perfect for those just starting.
This guide will help you pick the best plants for your greenhouse, providing practical advice and essential tips for growing success. Whether you’re looking to grow herbs, vegetables, or fruits, we’ve got you covered.
1. Lettuce and Leafy Greens
Lettuce, spinach, kale, and arugula are all perfect for beginner greenhouse gardeners. They thrive in cooler temperatures and don’t require much maintenance, making them ideal for your first growing season.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist but ensure it drains well to prevent rot.
- Temperature: Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, ideally between 15-20°C.
- Harvesting: Start by harvesting outer leaves regularly to promote new growth.
Tip: Lettuce and leafy greens grow quickly and provide a continuous harvest when you pick the outer leaves. Perfect for a beginner-friendly, low-maintenance start!
2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a greenhouse classic. They love warmth and sunlight, making them well-suited for controlled environments. Starting with smaller varieties like cherry tomatoes is a great choice for beginners.
- Support: Use stakes or tomato cages to help your plants grow upright and keep them sturdy.
- Pruning: Regularly remove excess foliage to encourage better airflow and fruit production.
- Temperature: Maintain a consistent temperature of 20-24°C for the best results.
Tip: Since crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers thrive in warm conditions, it’s just as important to keep a greenhouse cool in summer to prevent heat stress and poor yields.
3. Herbs
Herbs like basil, mint, parsley, thyme, and oregano are perfect for greenhouse gardening. These versatile plants are low-maintenance, quick-growing, and require minimal space.
- Planting: Grow herbs in pots or hanging baskets to save space and make harvesting easier.
- Watering: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, but avoid over-watering to prevent root rot.
- Light: Ensure your herbs get at least 6 hours of sunlight each day to keep them healthy and aromatic.
Tip: Herbs are ideal for small greenhouses as they don’t take up much room. Fresh herbs add flavour to your cooking and fragrance to your greenhouse.
4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow in the greenhouse rapidly and are perfect for the warm, humid conditions. They’re ideal for beginner gardeners looking for a high-yield, refreshing crop.
- Vertical Growing: Use trellises or cucumber cages to grow them upward, saving valuable greenhouse space.
- Watering: Ensure the soil is consistently moist but not soggy.
- Humidity: Cucumbers love humidity, so make sure your greenhouse is well-ventilated to maintain a healthy growing environment.
Tip: Choose compact varieties like ‘Mini Munch’ to fit in smaller greenhouses, and watch your cucumbers grow quickly.
5. Peppers and Chillies
Peppers, both sweet and spicy, thrive in the controlled warmth of a greenhouse. They’re great for beginners looking to grow colourful, flavorful crops that are relatively easy to manage.
- Planting: Use well-draining soil to keep the roots healthy and avoid waterlogging.
- Sunlight: Make sure they receive ample sunlight, as peppers require plenty of light for strong growth.
- Temperature: Maintain a temperature range of 20-25°C for optimal pepper development.
Tip: Peppers add vibrant colours and flavours to your garden and kitchen. They also love the warmth of a greenhouse, making them a top pick for beginners.
6. Radishes
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing crops, making them an ideal choice for beginner gardeners. You can harvest them in as little as 4-6 weeks.
- Sowing: Directly sow seeds into the soil, spacing them appropriately for healthy root development.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist but ensure it drains well to prevent the roots from becoming tough.
- Harvesting: Pick radishes when they reach around 1 inch in diameter for the best texture and flavour.
Tip: Radishes are perfect for impatient gardeners, offering a quick harvest and a fresh, peppery bite.
7. Melons
While melons require more space and care, they are still an excellent choice for beginners. The warm, sheltered environment of a greenhouse provides the perfect conditions for melons to thrive.
- Support: Use trellises or vertical supports to allow melons to grow upwards, saving space.
- Watering: Water consistently, especially when the fruits begin to develop.
- Soil: Melons need well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost.
Tip: Melon can be a more advanced crop, but with a little care, they are incredibly rewarding and can yield impressive fruits in your greenhouse.
8. Strawberries
Strawberries are a popular greenhouse crop, offering fresh fruit throughout the year. They’re perfect for beginners due to their ease of growth and versatility.
- Planting: Grow strawberries in raised beds or hanging baskets to maximize space and light exposure.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid wetting the leaves, which can cause fungal problems.
- Temperature: Strawberries prefer a moderate temperature of 15-20°C.
Tip: If you plan to grow year-round crops like lettuce or strawberries, keeping a greenhouse warm in winter will help protect plants from cold damage and extend your growing season.
9. Zucchini
Zucchini is another fast-growing crop that’s perfect for beginners. With its high yield and minimal care requirements, it’s a great addition to any greenhouse.
- Space: Zucchini plants spread out, so give them plenty of room to grow, or opt for compact varieties like ‘Balmoral.’
- Watering: Water deeply but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
- Pruning: Regularly prune the plants to improve airflow and reduce the risk of disease.
Tip: Zucchini is a prolific plant that rewards beginners with a steady harvest, perfect for cooking and snacking.
10. Beans
Beans are a great choice for beginners, as they grow quickly and are easy to manage. They can be grown in containers, raised beds, or directly in the soil of your greenhouse.
- Support: Use trellises or poles to help beans grow vertically and save space.
- Watering: Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to avoid root rot.
- Temperature: Beans prefer warmer temperatures, making your greenhouse the perfect environment for them.
Tip: Beans are an excellent source of protein and can be harvested in just a couple of months, making them a rewarding greenhouse crop for beginners.
Maximizing Your Greenhouse Space
To make the most of your greenhouse space, consider using vertical gardening techniques, raised beds, and compact containers. By growing plants like cucumbers, tomatoes, and peas vertically, you can save space while keeping your greenhouse organized.
Tip: Efficient use of space allows you to grow more plants in your greenhouse and makes maintenance easier.
Greenhouse Accessories to Boost Success
The right accessories can make a world of difference in your greenhouse. Consider adding these essentials to improve plant health and maximize your gardening success:
- Greenhouse Heater: Helps maintain a consistent temperature during colder months for heat-loving plants like tomatoes and melons.
- Ventilation System: Keep your greenhouse well-ventilated to control humidity and prevent fungal diseases.
- Watering System: Use a drip irrigation system to ensure consistent watering without overwatering your plants.
Tip: Investing in the right greenhouse accessories can help create an ideal growing environment for your plants, making gardening easier and more enjoyable.
Growing Tips for Greenhouse Beginners
- Monitor Temperature: Keep an eye on your greenhouse temperature to ensure it’s within the ideal range for your plants.
- Water Smartly: Avoid overwatering by checking the soil moisture regularly and using pots with drainage holes.
- Pest Control: Keep an eye out for pests and use natural remedies like neem oil or ladybugs to control infestations.
Tip: Many beginners struggle due to simple oversights, so understanding the top greenhouse mistakes such as overwatering, poor airflow, or overcrowding can save time and prevent crop loss.
Your Greenhouse Gardening Adventure Awaits!
Greenhouse gardening offers endless possibilities. Start small with easy-to-grow plants, use the right accessories, and soon you’ll be harvesting fresh, homegrown produce year-round. Whether you’re growing lettuce, tomatoes, or melons, your greenhouse will quickly become a productive oasis.
To get started with confidence, Aosom offers a wide range of greenhouse varieties specially designed to suit every growing need, helping you create the perfect environment for healthy, thriving plants in every season.
FAQs
To avoid overcrowding, plan your greenhouse layout with vertical gardening or raised beds. Use compact plant varieties and prune regularly. This will ensure healthy airflow and adequate space for each plant to grow.
Install a drip irrigation system for controlled watering or use pots with drainage holes. Always check soil moisture levels and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and fungal growth.
Use vertical gardening by installing trellises or hanging baskets. Opt for compact plant varieties, and consider growing in raised beds or containers to make the most of limited space.