A greenhouse’s superpower is breaking free from your local growing season. With smart crop planning, you can harvest fresh produce every month of the year—from midwinter lettuce to midsummer tomatoes to fall strawberries. Here’s what to grow and when.
Cool-Season Crops (40–60°F Greenhouse)
These thrive in an unheated or minimally heated greenhouse during fall, winter, and early spring. Many actually taste better after light frost exposure:
Lettuce and salad greens: The quintessential greenhouse crop. Varieties like ‘Winter Density’, ‘Arctic King’, and mache (corn salad) grow steadily in cold conditions. Succession-plant every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Spinach: ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing’ and ‘Giant Winter’ handle cold greenhouse conditions beautifully.
Kale and chard: Cold-tolerant and productive. Kale sweetens after frost exposure as starches convert to sugars.
Radishes: Fast-growing (25–30 days), perfect for filling gaps between larger crops.
Peas: Snow peas and sugar snaps grow well in cool greenhouses when given something to climb.
Warm-Season Crops (60–85°F Greenhouse)
These need consistent warmth and typically require heating in winter (in most climates). They’re also the most rewarding greenhouse crops in terms of production value:
Tomatoes: The king of greenhouse growing. Indeterminate varieties like ‘Sungold’, ‘Juliet’, and ‘Mountain Magic’ produce for months. Train on string or cages. Consistent temperatures and watering prevent blossom end rot.
Cucumbers: Parthenocarpic (self-pollinating) varieties like ‘Corinto’ and ‘Picolino’ are bred for greenhouse growing—no bee pollination needed.
Peppers: Both sweet and hot varieties thrive in greenhouse heat. ‘Carmen’, ‘Lunchbox’, and hot varieties like habanero and jalapeño produce prolifically.
Eggplant: Loves consistent warmth. ‘Fairy Tale’ and ‘Orient Express’ are productive greenhouse varieties.
Basil and warm-season herbs: Basil, cilantro, dill, and others grow faster and bushier in greenhouse conditions.
Herbs Year-Round
Greenhouses excel at herb production because they provide the consistent warmth, light, and protection that herbs need. A dedicated herb bench can supply your kitchen 365 days a year:
Basil: Needs warmth (above 50°F) and 10+ hours of light. Supplemental lighting in winter keeps it productive.
Rosemary and thyme: Mediterranean herbs that thrive in greenhouse conditions. Prefer drier soil and good airflow.
Parsley and chives: Cold-tolerant and low-maintenance. Will grow through winter in an unheated greenhouse in mild climates.
Mint: Grows aggressively—keep it in containers. Handles cool greenhouse temps well.
Specialty and Seed-Starting
Beyond food production, greenhouses are invaluable for specialty growing:
Seed starting: Start warm-season transplants 6–8 weeks before your last frost date. Use seedling heat mats and grow lights for best germination rates.
Flower starts: Grow annual flower transplants for your garden—zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, and more—at a fraction of the cost of nursery starts.
Orchids and tropicals: A heated greenhouse can support tropical plants that would never survive outdoors in temperate climates.
Microgreens and sprouts: Fast-cycling, high-value crops that use minimal space. Ideal for greenhouse benches.
ℹ️ Good to KnowSome specialty plants, including certain varieties legal in many states, benefit from the controlled greenhouse environment. Always check your local regulations before growing any controlled species. For seeds and growing supplies, visit our partner ILGM or use code MULTIVERSE420 at Multiverse Beans.
Year-Round Growing Calendar
Month
Start Seeds
Transplant/Direct Sow
Harvest
January
Onions, early lettuce
—
Winter greens, herbs
February
Tomatoes, peppers (on heat mats)
Lettuce, spinach
Winter greens, microgreens
March
Herbs, cucumbers, eggplant
Peas, radishes, brassica starts
Early greens, radishes
April
Flowers, melons
Tomatoes, peppers (if warm enough)
Greens, peas, herbs
May
Succession lettuce, beans
Cucumbers, basil
First tomatoes (heated GH)
June–Aug
Fall brassicas, winter greens (Jul–Aug)
Succession greens
Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs
September
Overwinter onions, garlic
Winter lettuce, spinach, mache
Late tomatoes, peppers
Oct–Nov
Microgreens
Cold-hardy greens
Root vegetables, greens, final tomatoes
December
Plan next year
—
Hardy greens, overwintered herbs
For tools and supplies to get your greenhouse beds and containers ready, visit our Homestead Ring partner Garden Gear.