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special varities for greenhouse growing?
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Posted by kathiec IA (My Page) on Wed, Nov 11, 09 at 19:57
| I completed my year round greeenhouse a few months ago and am trying to grow veggies in my raised ground bed. It faces south so I think it gets decent light, but some stuff isn't growing very well. I'm also having bug problems, which I 've never really had a big problem with outdoors. This is a whole new ballgame. It could be my inexperience, but I've been gardeing outside for 10 years. One greenhouse book said some varities of plants are better for greenhouse growing, so I wonder ......is there a company that produces a catalog or a section of the catalog that has varitites of lettuce, carrots, spinach, broccoli, pole beans, tomatoes , etc. that do well in a greenhouse enviroment? Or maybe some of you have recommendations of certain ones? I am just using what I have left over from the outside garden seeds, I order everything heirloom from Baker Creek. any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, any ideas about the easiest retaining heat curtain? I have TekFoil left over so I'd like to use that, but should it be combined withanything else. I live in Iowa , its gets COLD!!! Thanks!!! Kat |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: special varities for greenhouse growing?
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| Kat, I really like Randel from Baker Creek - the guy is as upright as a house joist. But reality is that most greenhouse plants, at least tomatoes will need to be hybrids. A Google search will turn up lots of varieties developed for a GH. Some of the tomato plants I am trying to raise: Sacramento, Cabernet, Florida 91, IT-06-313, Legend, Siletz and Mira. Mike |
RE: special varities for greenhouse growing?
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| The Johnny's Select Seeds catalog has a little greenhouse icon for varieties that do well indoors or in tunnels. I haven't tried many of them though. |
RE: special varities for greenhouse growing?
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| I second the recommendation of Johnny's. We tried many of the varieties marked with the greenhouse icon, and had pretty good luck: tomatoes, salad greens, flowers (this is also our first year with a large greenhouse). Love their greenhouse lettuce mix - produced well in hot temps and is also doing well in cool temps. However, we grow everything in pots/planters, and used good soil-less mixes (Farfard) and Osmocote pelleted fertilizer (time release, but also temperature dependent). As far as curtains, we use TekFoil over the vents and have wrapped the inside with IR greenhouse film (the subject of recent postings, but we thought it was worth the investment). Also use heavy duty row cover inside double duty: shade cloth by day, added layer of insulation at night. |
RE: special varities for greenhouse growing?
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| Hydro-Gardens 800 634 6362 sells to professional greenhouse growers, and sells seed bred especially for greenhouse growing. I do believe they will sell small quantities, but expect to pay. The seed is very expensive, but professional growers pay the price, because it is dependable and consistent. Many of the seeds are produced by the Dutch that grow in low light situations, and are the masters of greenhouse production. These seeds are sold per seed, if that gives you some idea of the cost. I would try a few against standard seed for comparison. I have had great luck with the seedless cucumbers. Starting out I would suggest using your house to push the season 4 to 6 weeks paste normal growing outside in the fall, and 4 to 6 weeks earlier in the spring to reduce heating cost. There should be plenty of cool weather crops to try through the winter with minimal heating. Trying to grow tomatoes or beans in the middle of winter can be done, but is not economical. I do not know the size of your house, but a small area could be divided from the rest of the house and heated to a higher level to try warmer crops without heating the whole space. |
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