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Self-Sufficiency - oh my!
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If you're just getting started with greenhouse gardening, you should know that setting everything up can lead to some unexpected challenges.
That's because growing vegetables inside a greenhouse is a totally different environment when compared with your outdoor vegetable garden.
I also think part of the challenge is because as idyllic as it sounds, greenhouse gardening often presents a unique set of surprises. It’s hard to understand these insights unless you’ve had the experience.
But, I’m here to share with you what I’ve learned after having a greenhouse for several years, so that you can come into the experience with a bit of an advantage. With this knowledge, you'll have a head start on what truly awaits behind those transparent walls.
Whether you're planning ahead as you decide if you should buy your own greenhouse, or just looking to up your greenhouse game, my insights and tips will help you go into this new way of gardening with more awareness and confidence.
It’s easy to overlook the importance of pollinators when planning out your greenhouse.
I totally get it. For me, the first year I had a greenhouse, I was just focused on filling every inch of the space with heat-loving plants.
But I was missing something. The idea of inviting pollinators into my greenhouse never even crossed my mind—until I found myself with cucumbers and zucchini growing flowers but not producing any fruit.
It seems obvious. But inside a greenhouse, that connection is easy to miss. At least it was for me. It's a closed world, with no natural wind and no open doors for those crucial pollinators to come and do their thing.
Even self-pollinating plants like tomatoes and eggplants thrive even more with visits from bumblebees (MSU).
In my experience, fostering a welcoming environment for pollinators involves not just opening doors and windows but also creating habitats. For instance, I've added small water sources and native flowering plants inside and around the greenhouse, which has noticeably increased the presence of beneficial insects. This approach not only supports pollinators but adds diversity the ecosystem of my greenhouse.
I’m happy to share that I was able to transform my greenhouse into a happy haven for wasps, bumblebees, hoverflies, and even butterflies. Here’s how I did it.
Little worlds within your greenhouse.
Each corner of your greenhouse can have its own microclimate. I found out that the northeast corner stayed cooler than other areas, perfect for leafy greens.
The far back of my greenhouse is the warmest, so I keep my heat-loving perennial plants like artichoke and a miniature potted fig here. Along the edges of my high tunnel, it’s cooler, so I always grow a couple of early brassicas and chard there - it helps them not to bolt too early, but also provides me with some early harvests before my outdoor crops start producing.
Also, the left side of my greenhouse, which faces south, needs more watering compared to the right side, which faces north. In the winter, the north side can get too wet, causing algae and moss to grow in the soil. Understanding nuances like this help me to keep everything a bit more balanced.
Now that I understand these microclimates, I can better optimize plant placement and productivity.
Avoid turning your greenhouse into a stuffy sauna.
My first autumn with the high tunnel, I underestimated the power of proper ventilation.
There was one day where temperatures were pleasant outside, but the sun was out all day. I didn’t think to open the door or roll up the sides, and I realized just how much heat could be generated just due to the sun.
In writing this, I realize that seems obvious.
But sometimes it takes experiencing something to truly understand how it works.
Another issue that can happen in a greenhouse with poor ventilation is a rise in fungal disease. One winter, I grew fava beans in my hoop house, but because the sides were closed during those months, they developed a heavy case of black rust, when my outdoor grown beans did not.
Similarly, in the summer I’ve had cucumbers succumb to powdery mildew inside, whereas outside that disease was never an issue.
Know your limits.
I’ll be honest: in my zone 7ish climate, I thought that a greenhouse would mean that I could grow fresh tomatoes - at least the cherry varieties - all year long, as though I was in San Diego or something.
However, I learned that for me this isn’t possible unless I was going to supplement my space with additional heat. In the Pacific Northwest, the sun is hard to come by during the winter months, so the greenhouse doesn’t reach optimal temperatures for tomatoes to grow past November.
I learned to adapt by choosing cold-hardy crops for winter, alongside cover crops. I might also try experimenting with a technique that Sean at Edible Acres uses in his high tunnel. He adds in a second layer of protection for his crops with row coverings inside his greenhouse. This likely won’t mean that I can get summer crops to grow, but it might mean that I get more abundant harvests from winter vegetables like kale, broccoli, or beets.
One size does not fit all.
When selecting a greenhouse, consider your climate, the crops you wish to grow, and your available space.
I initially chose a cheap pop-up model, which couldn't withstand strong winter winds. It currently has two panels that have blown out of the roof so many times that they are completely damaged and they can’t be replaced.
Upgrading to a sturdy hoop house structure made all the difference for my goals. I am privileged to have the space in my backyard for something of this size.
If you’re in an area that gets lots of snow, you’ll want a greenhouse that is curved in some way. The Riga greenhouse is an example of a structure that can hold up against strong winds and heavy snow and doesn’t have a huge footprint. Since it has a 10 year warranty, if anything does happen to the panels, you’d be able to replace them.
Likewise, if your garden is in zone 9 or above, you’ll want a greenhouse that ventilates automatically when it gets hot, and has a heavy-duty fan exhaust system, and some kind of shade on the roof panels.
The Mojave MONT greenhouse offers features like this, and is 100% solar powered so you don’t need to connect your greenhouse to the grid.
Prevent soil fatigue.
Crop rotation isn’t just for outdoor gardening. But you likely won’t have a ton of room in your greenhouse to switch things around too much. This is because crops like tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers are all in the same family. It makes crop rotation with heat-loving vegetables difficult.
This past summer, I came up with a solution - to grow these crops in containers some years in my greenhouse instead of in-ground. At the end of the season, I used the soil in the grow bags to top up my raised beds where I won’t be growing plants in the solanaceous family.
Crop rotation is especially important with this group of plants - otherwise diseases like blight can ruin your crop for years to come.
Here’s my Guide to Greenhouse Crop Rotation for more details.
The battle never ends.
I assumed greenhouses would be a fortress that pests could not get into. But, they’re called pests for a reason. They found their way inside, and my plants suffered.
I do a few things to keep these pests at bay. I intentionally design my greenhouse to welcome in beneficial insects and wildlife in order to help keep the population in check. Companion planting with the intention of deterring pests also works well.
In order to keep an eye on my efforts, I have a routine of inspecting plants and handpicking any pests I come across. I put them in a bucket with other chicken-friendly weeds and cuttings as a daily treat for my flock.
Have a look at other ways I work with wildlife in order to support my greenhouse growing space.
Save time and water.
When I first started my greenhouse, I romanticized the idea of hand-watering each plant, envisioning serene moments in the early morning, watering can in hand.
The reality was that watering in the heat of the greenhouse at peak summer was pretty intense. Even early in the morning, I’d leave there dripping in sweat.
The breakthrough came when I invested in a drip irrigation system. It was like hiring a personal assistant for my plants. Set on a daily timer, I was able to know that my plants got water every day while also reducing my water usage drastically.
The initial setup took a bit of planning and effort, but front loading a bit of the work was so worth it. Not only does it save me countless hours, but it also enhanced plant health.
If you're serious about maintaining a healthy growing environment with minimal effort, this is one investment you'll thank yourself for making.
Accept the chaos.
When everything is going right, your greenhouse will turn into a lush, chaotic space—a true jungle.
Every summer, I have one day where I step inside and am both amazed and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of green. It’s like my brain can’t sort through how to manage it all. What overgrowths are good? Which needed to be pruned? What are crops and what are actually weeds?
The rapid growth was daunting. I worried I wouldn't be able to manage it all.
Over time though, I learned to surrender to the chaos and see it as a sign of a thriving environment. Regular pruning allows me to shape the space while keeping plants healthy and productive. I also know that in the autumn, I’ll have to carve out a couple of days to clean up once the summer surplus has toned down.
Turning mistakes into green wisdom.
One thing that caught me by surprise was how much my greenhouse became like my own little science lab.
My first summer with the greenhouse, I thought that all of my tomato plants would thrive and give abundant yields. Like, that was guaranteed, right?
Instead, I got a disappointingly small harvest - just enough for a couple of dinners.
At first I was really down about it. Had I invested in a greenhouse for nothing? Was a kidding myself at my level of gardening skill?
But I decided to try again, and transform my defeat into an opportunity to experiment and learn.
I think that a combination of improper venting, a heat dome (three days of 120 degree F weather), and brand new soil without much soil life were the issue.
The following year, I focused on better pruning, consistent ventilation, and building up soil health. That second crop of tomatoes were prolific - so much so that I was able to jar up a year’s worth of tomato suace!
My greenhouse taught me patience and the importance of observation. Be okay with some unpredictability, and you'll discover a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of each plant you grow.
I hope my experiences have helped you feel more prepared to dodge those common pitfalls and ready to reap the lasting rewards of your own greenhouse.
Whether you're considering setting up your own greenhouse or looking to enhance what you currently have, I hope my experiences and insights have provided you with some inspiration and support.
Check out my buying guide for small greenhouse kits perfect for home gardens
Here’s my Guide to Greenhouse Crop Rotation.
Bring pollinators into your greenhouse with these tips
