When it comes to what to grow in a greenhouse, the options are near endless. You can grow a constant supply of vegetables, fruit, and herbs indoors all year long.
Sounds brilliant right? But where do you start?
In this guide, we’re going to cover some of the best plants to grow in a greenhouse, along with some top tips to get you started with each of them.
What to Grow in Your Greenhouse?
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are probably the most popular plant to grow in a greenhouse. They are relatively easy to grow, and they can be used in a variety of dishes.
The benefits of growing tomatoes in a greenhouse include the fact that you can harvest them for a much longer growing season, greenhouses help shelter tomatoes from pests and diseases and higher yields, so you can expect to get a lot of tomatoes from just a few plants.
When to Sow Tomatoes in the Greenhouse
Tomatoes can be sown under cover from January to March. You can try sowing in April for a later harvest.
Top Tips for Growing Tomatoes in a Greenhouse
- Make sure the greenhouse is well ventilated, as tomatoes need a lot of fresh air.
- Place plants in full sun and give them plenty of support, especially if you are growing tall varieties.
- Add organic matter to the soil before planting to help improve drainage and moisture retention.
- Water plants regularly, but avoid over-watering as this can lead to fungal diseases.
When to Harvest Tomatoes from the Greenhouse
Tomatoes will be ready to harvest from the greenhouse between June and November, depending on the variety.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are another popular plant to grow in an unheated greenhouse. They are easy to grow and they taste great in salads and other dishes.
Like tomatoes, cucumbers can be harvested for a longer period of time when they are grown in a greenhouse.
It can be difficult to grow cucumbers outside of a greenhouse, because they need warm weather and a lot of sunlight.
But in a greenhouse, you can control the temperature and the amount of light that the plants receive, making it easier to grow cucumbers successfully.
When to Sow Cucumbers in the Greenhouse
You can sow cucumbers from March to June. They are best propagated with heat, although you can be successful propagating without.
Top Tips for Growing Cucumbers in a Greenhouse
- Cucumbers are hungry plants, so make sure to feed them regularly with a high-potash fertilizer.
- Water plants regularly, but avoid over-watering as this can lead to fungal diseases.
- Provide support for the plants, as they can grow very large and need to support the weight of the cucumbers.
When to Harvest Cucumbers from a Greenhouse
Harvest cucumbers from the greenhouse between May and October.
Read Next: The Step by Step Guide to Growing Cucumbers in a Greenhouse
Melons
Melons are a delicious fruit that can be grown in a greenhouse. They are relatively easy to grow, and they come in a variety of flavors, including honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon.
Homegrown melons taste much sweeter than shop-bought if grown correctly, so it’s worth dedicating some space in your greenhouse to these if you’re a melon fan.
Like cucumbers and tomatoes, melons need warm weather and plenty of sunlight to grow successfully outside of a greenhouse. In a greenhouse, you can create the perfect conditions for these plants to thrive.
When to Sow Melons in the Greenhouse
You can sow melons from February to April.
Top Tips for Growing Melons
- Melons need fertile soil to grow well, so add plenty of compost or manure to the soil before planting.
- They also need well-draining soil , so make sure to add plenty of grit or compost to soil before planting if it is not well-draining.
- They will benefit if you feed the plants when the fruit starts to appear .
- Water plants regularly, but avoid over-watering as this can lead to fungal diseases.
When to Harvest Melons from a Greenhouse
You can expect to harvest melons from the greenhouse between July and September.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a tasty fruit that can be grown in a greenhouse in the UK.
They are relatively easy to grow, and they come in a variety of flavors. Strawberries also have the added benefit of being able to repel pests, which can be helpful when you are growing them in a greenhouse.
Like other fruits and vegetables, strawberries need plenty of sunlight to grow successfully outside of a greenhouse. In a greenhouse, you can create the perfect conditions for these plants to thrive.
When to Sow Strawberries in the Greenhouse
You can sow strawberries from June to September.
Top Tips for Growing Strawberries in a Greenhouse
- Strawberries need plenty of sunlight to grow well, so make sure to place them in a sunny spot in the greenhouse.
- They also need well-draining soil , so make sure to add plenty of grit or compost to soil before planting if it is not well-draining.
- They thrive in slightly acidic soil , so you can add some ericaceous compost to the soil if necessary.
When to Harvest Strawberries from the Greenhouse
You can expect to harvest strawberries from the greenhouse between April and June.
Salad Greens
Salad greens are another great option for those who want to grow their own vegetables in a greenhouse. They are easy to grow and they can be used in a variety of dishes.
Salad greens can also be harvested for a longer period of time than many other vegetables, so they are a great option for those who want to get the most out of their greenhouse.
When to Sow Salad Greens in the Greenhouse
You can sow salad greens from January to December. Sow the first salads of the year as soon as the soil is workable.
Top Tips for Growing Salad Greens in a Greenhouse
- Ensure the greens are not too hot in the greenhouse – make use of greenhouse shading to prevent them from getting burned and water / crop frequently to prevent them from bolting.
- You can grow most salad leaves in the greenhouse over the winter months – a great way to get your greens fix during the colder months!
When to Harvest Salad Greens from the Greenhouse
Continually sow in frequent succession and you can expect to harvest salad greens from the greenhouse between January and December.
Chillies & Sweet Peppers
Chillies and sweet peppers are another great choice for growers who have greenhouses. They grow well in sunny conditions and can be used to add spice to many different dishes.
Sweet peppers are more common in a greenhouse, but there are also a variety of chillies that can be grown in a greenhouse – particularly varieties that can be difficult to buy in the shops.
When to Sow Peppers in the Greenhouse
You can sow peppers from February to March.
Top Tips for Growing Peppers in a Greenhouse
- Peppers need full sunlight to grow well. Make sure to place them in a sunny spot in the greenhouse.
- Peppers grow slowly in the early stages, so it is important to be patient and wait for them to grow.
- Ensure pepper plants have lots of space – if you’re growing in containers, ensure the final pot is at least 30cm.
When to Harvest Peppers from the Greenhouse
You can expect to harvest peppers from the greenhouse between July and December.
Aubergines
Aubergines are a delicious vegetable that can be grown in a greenhouse. They are relatively easy to grow, and they come in a variety of colors, including white, purple and black. Aubergines are at their best when cooked with additional flavours – such as spices like turmeric or ginger, so they are perfect for Indian curries or Thai dishes.
Like cucumbers, tomatoes and melons, aubergines need warm weather and plenty of sunlight to grow successfully outside of a greenhouse. In a greenhouse, you can create the perfect conditions for these plants to thrive.
When to Sow Aubergines in the Greenhouse
You can sow aubergines from January to March.
Top Tips for Growing Aubergines
- Aubergines need plenty of water to grow well, so make sure to water them regularly.
- They also need a lot of sunshine, so make sure to place them in a sunny spot in your greenhouse.
- If you live in a cold area, you can protect aubergines from a late frost by placing a horticultural fleece over them when the weather is cold.
- You may need to pollinate the first flowers on aubergines by hand.
When to Harvest Aubergines from a Greenhouse
You can expect to harvest aubergines from your greenhouse between August and October.
French Beans
French beans are a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes and one of the best vegetables to grow in a greenhouse. They are relatively easy to grow, and they come in many varieties – from well-known Borlotti and Cannellini to lesser-known varieties such as Cosse Violet.
Like other vegetables, French beans need plenty of sunlight to grow successfully outside of a greenhouse. In a greenhouse, you can create the perfect conditions for these plants to thrive.
When to Sow French Beans in the Greenhouse
You can sow French beans from March to August.
Top Tips for Growing French Beans in a Greenhouse
- French beans need plenty of sunlight to grow well, so make sure to place them in a sunny spot in the greenhouse.
- They need well-draining soil, so make sure to add plenty of grit or compost to soil before planting if it is not well-draining.
- You can increase your yield by picking the flowers as they appear on each plant . French beans are also self-pollinating, so you don’t need to worry about pollination if you are growing them in a greenhouse.
When to Harvest French Beans from the Greenhouse
You can expect to harvest French beans from your greenhouse between May and October.
Herbs
Herbs are another great option for growers who want to have access to fresh herbs all year long. Herbs can be used in many different dishes, and they are relatively easy to grow. Some popular herbs to grow in a greenhouse include basil and mint.
When to Sow Herbs in the Greenhouse
This will vary depending on the type of herb.
Top Tips for Growing Herbs in a Greenhouse
- Most herbs need plenty of sunlight to grow well. Make sure to place them in a sunny spot in the greenhouse.
- Many herbs need well-draining soil, so make sure to add plenty of grit or compost to soil before planting if it is not well-draining.
When to Harvest Herbs from the Greenhouse
This will vary depending on the type of herb.
More Ideas for What to Grow in Your Greenhouse
Need more ideas for what to grow in your greenhouse? These fruit and vegetables are also good options:
- Beetroot
- Broccoli & Calabrese
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Celery
- Chinese Cabbage
- Courgettes
- Figs
- Florence Fennel
- Grapes
- Kale
- Lettuces
- Okra
- Pak Choi
- Potatoes & New Potatoes
- Pumpkins
- Spinach
- Spring Onions
- Squashes
- Sweetcorn
- Sweet Potatoes
- Swiss Chard
