Brenda Khan
A greenhouse can be an excellent way to grow a variety of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and other plants all year round. It provides a controlled environment that can protect plants from harsh weather conditions and pests, allowing you to grow crops that may not be suitable for your outdoor garden. With a greenhouse, you can take control of your food sources and ensure access to high-quality, nutritious produce for a balanced diet. To achieve this, you should consider growing staple crops, nutrient crops, and supplemental crops. Staple crops, such as potatoes, squash, and beans, provide most of your calorie intake and are easy to grow and store. Nutrient crops, including leafy greens like kale, spinach, and arugula, are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Supplemental crops, such as fruits, herbs, and spices, add variety and flavour to your meals, enhancing the quality of your diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Crops | Staple crops, nutrient crops, and supplemental crops |
| Staple crops | Potatoes, squash, beans, cabbage, onions, turnips |
| Nutrient crops | Kale, chard, spinach, arugula, lettuce, peas |
| Supplemental crops | Fruits, herbs, spices, edible flowers, medicinal plants |
| Growing methods | Soil-based systems, hydroponics |
| Space | Allocate enough space for each crop according to their growth requirements |
| Temperature | 60°F–80°F during the day, 50°F–60°F at night |
| Lighting | Supplemental lighting may be necessary during winter or on cloudy days |
| Pest control | Ducks can help with bug control |
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What You'll Learn
- Staple crops: calorie-dense and easy to grow, e.g. potatoes, beans, cabbage
- Nutrient crops: nutrient-dense greens, e.g. kale, spinach, arugula
- Supplemental crops: fruits, herbs, spices, and edible flowers
- Frost-tolerant crops: carrots, beets, mustard greens, spinach
- Warm-weather crops: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, aubergines
Staple crops: calorie-dense and easy to grow, e.g. potatoes, beans, cabbage
Staple crops are calorie-dense and easy to grow, making them a vital part of a balanced diet. Here are some examples of staple crops that you can grow in your greenhouse:
Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple crop and a common food in the diets of most Europeans. They are a good source of carbohydrates, which are the primary source of energy for the body. They also contain a small amount of protein and fibre, which contributes to the feeling of fullness and supports healthy digestive functions. Potatoes are also a reliable source of vitamin C, with a medium boiled potato containing about 10 mg, or about one-eighth of the adult requirement. They are naturally low in fat and cholesterol, making them a heart-healthy choice.
Beans
Beans are another staple crop that can be grown in a greenhouse. They are a good source of protein, with boiled red kidney beans containing 15 grams of protein per cup. Beans are also rich in iron and zinc, and folate. They are naturally low in fat and cholesterol, and their high potassium and low sodium content make them a good choice for maintaining healthy blood pressure.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a low-calorie vegetable, with only 25 calories per 100g, but it is high in fibre, which aids in digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. It is also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium. Cabbage has been cultivated for over 4,000 years and is known for its nutritional benefits.
Other staple crops
Other staple crops that can be grown in a greenhouse include squash, onions, and root vegetables like sweet potatoes.
By growing these staple crops in your greenhouse, you can ensure a steady supply of calorie-dense and nutritious food, contributing to a well-balanced diet for you and your family.
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Nutrient crops: nutrient-dense greens, e.g. kale, spinach, arugula
Nutrient crops are an essential part of a balanced diet, and a greenhouse is a great way to grow nutrient-dense greens such as kale, spinach, and arugula.
Spinach is a traditional greenhouse product and an excellent source of vitamins A, B, and C, as well as iron and calcium. It is easy to grow and does not require constant high temperatures. Spinach thrives in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. It also requires regular watering and ample spacing for the plants to grow. Spinach can be harvested in 40 to 45 days by plucking the leaves or cutting the stalks.
Kale is another nutrient-rich green that can be grown in a greenhouse. It is a superfood that can be harvested at any stage of growth, from young seedlings to mature plants. Kale tends to grow smaller indoors, making the leaves more palatable to those who may not usually enjoy them. It is a cool-weather crop, so it does well in slightly lower temperatures and sunny environments. Kale plants should be watered regularly and thinned out as they mature.
Arugula, also known as rocket, is a popular salad green with a peppery flavor. It is a cool-weather crop that can be grown from seeds or propagated from an established plant. Arugula needs lots of light to grow and develop good flavor. It thrives in moist soil conditions, and the roots can rot if exposed to standing water for too long.
By growing nutrient-dense greens like spinach, kale, and arugula in your greenhouse, you can ensure a constant supply of healthy and flavorful produce to support a balanced diet.
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Supplemental crops: fruits, herbs, spices, and edible flowers
Supplemental crops are a great way to add variety, flavour, and nutrition to your diet. Fruits, herbs, spices, and edible flowers can be grown in a greenhouse to supplement your staple crops and provide a balanced diet.
Fruits
Fruits are a great addition to any diet and can be easily grown in a greenhouse. Strawberries, for example, can be grown vertically in towers, maximising your available growing space. Other fruits that thrive in a greenhouse environment include blueberries, melons, peaches, pears, bananas, mangoes, and grapes. These fruits require consistent watering to stay healthy, especially in a greenhouse where they won't benefit from rainfall. Dwarf varieties of blueberries, such as the Sunshine Dwarf and Top Hat Blueberry, are well-suited for containers in a greenhouse. Fig trees are another option, rewarding growers with beautiful branches, unique leaves, and tasty fruit that is not readily available in stores.
Herbs
Herbs are a must-have in any kitchen, adding flavour to dishes and providing nutritional benefits. Basil, a popular herb, thrives in a tropical climate and can be grown in a greenhouse. Parsley, green onions, and leeks are also great options for a greenhouse, providing a continuous supply for cooking.
Spices
Spices can elevate the flavour of your dishes, and growing your own spices can be a fun and rewarding experience. Coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, caraway, celery, mustard, poppy, and anise are all spices that can be grown in a temperate climate. For those willing to put in extra care, saffron, garlic, horseradish, chicory, and licorice can also be grown. In a tropical climate, spices like star anise, nutmeg, and cloves can be planted directly into the ground. Cinnamon can be grown and coppiced for larger harvests.
Edible Flowers
Edible flowers add a unique touch to dishes, providing colour and flavour. African violets, with their purple, white, and pink hues, thrive in the humidity of a greenhouse, but care must be taken to avoid getting their leaves too wet. Orchids and roses are other options, as a greenhouse allows gardeners to control the temperature to meet the specific needs of these flowers.
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Frost-tolerant crops: carrots, beets, mustard greens, spinach
If you're looking to grow crops in your greenhouse to maintain a balanced diet, frost-tolerant crops such as carrots, beets, mustard greens, and spinach are excellent options.
Carrots are a great addition to a healthy diet. They are loaded with fiber and antioxidants and are a particularly good source of beta-carotene, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. Carrots have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved eye health. They are also low in calories, making them a useful addition to a weight loss diet.
Beets, also known as beetroots, are vibrantly colored root vegetables that are highly nutritious and delicious. They are low in fat and calories but high in water, which can help balance your energy intake. They also contain moderate amounts of protein and fiber, making it easier to maintain a moderate weight. Beets are rich in essential nutrients, including betalains, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Mustard greens are peppery-tasting leafy greens that can add a bitter flavor to dishes. They are considered very healthy and are a phenomenal source of vitamin K, which plays a vital role in blood clotting and heart and bone health.
Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is packed with nutrients and antioxidants. It is one of the richest dietary sources of quercetin, an antioxidant that may ward off infection and inflammation. Spinach has been linked to improved eye health, reduced oxidative stress, cancer prevention, and lower blood pressure levels.
By growing these frost-tolerant crops in your greenhouse, you can ensure a steady supply of nutritious vegetables to support a balanced and healthy diet.
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Warm-weather crops: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, aubergines
Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and aubergines are all warm-weather crops that can be grown in a greenhouse.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the most widely produced greenhouse crop in the world. They are a warm-season annual plant and perform better in extreme summer temperatures than cucumbers. They require a significant amount of planning, including considerations of the crop cycle, seed variety, growing and support system, plant spacing, training methods, and fruit thinning, pollinating, irrigating, and fertilizing. Tomatoes are typically grown vertically on a trellis system to maximize space, and most are indeterminate varieties, meaning they continue to grow after setting fruit. Growers should maintain nighttime temperatures between 65 and 60 degrees F but no lower, as low temperatures can damage tomato tissue.
Peppers
Peppers are another crop that benefits from being grown in a greenhouse, especially in colder climates. They require high temperatures and sunlight, and do not like cold weather or being overwatered. Ventilation is important to prevent stagnant moisture, which can lead to mold. A breeze going through the foliage is beneficial, and a fan can help achieve this. A ph level of around 6.5 is ideal, but anything between 6 and 7 should be fine. Pests can be a problem, so it is important to invest in traps and monitor closely for aphids and other pests.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a popular crop for greenhouse vegetable production and are typically tolerant of extreme summer temperatures. They are often grown in substrate-based systems using soilless substrates like perlite and pine bark to support the root system and provide aeration. Cucumbers are trained to grow vertically on strings suspended from a wire cable. They are a fast crop, with the first harvest ready within as little as 7 weeks from seeding.
Aubergines
Aubergine seeds should be sown indoors from February onwards, as they need warmth and a long growing season. If you have a heated greenhouse, you can start them earlier, in January. They need temperatures of at least 21°C (70°F) to germinate. Once they have their first set of true leaves, prick out your seedlings and move them into their own small pots. Young plants should be kept in good light at 16–18°C (60–64°F) and watered regularly. In April, plant the young plants into their final growing position in the heated greenhouse. Aubergine plants can form large, top-heavy plants, so insert a sturdy bamboo cane to support them.
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Frequently asked questions
Nutrient crops are primarily leafy greens, such as kale, chard, spinach, and arugula. They are packed with essential vitamins and minerals for overall health.
Staple crops provide most of your calorie intake and are typically easy to grow and store. Examples include potatoes, squash, beans, cabbage, and onions.
Supplemental crops add variety and flavour to meals. They include fruits, herbs, edible flowers, and spices. While not essential for survival, they enhance the quality of your diet and make eating more enjoyable.
