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During the coldest months of the year, you may be able to keep growing in a greenhouse. Find out what to sow each month, along with tips for the winter greenhouse.

Helpful information

Timing: Winter

Where to do it: In the greenhouse

Garden space: Large garden

  • A comfortable greenhouse gives the opportunity to enjoy the wellbeing benefits of gardening most of the year round
  • Starting growing food during winter gives you a good source of home-grown nutrition to look forward to in your kitchen in the spring
  • For some, winter is a time where your mood is lower. Keeping active, even for a few minutes a day, can help boost mood when the sun isn't there to help

With thanks to Rhino greenhouses for support with this article

There are things to think about to help you get the best from your greenhouse during winter.

1. Keep your greenhouse frost free

This can be the biggest challenge. To avoid frost in your greenhouse, you may want to install heaters. A lower cost alternative is to insulate your greenhouse with bubblewrap.

2. Pre-heat if needed or save for later

Cold weather can be uncomfortable for many of us. It may be particularly difficult for those with arthritis or dementia, for example. During colder spells, pre-heating the greenhouse can make time in it more comfortable. For some, even this will still be too cold. In which case, enjoy making garden plans inside instead.

3. Be patient with your plants

When you sow in winter, most of the plants will be slow growing seedlings to be planted out in the spring. Don't expect to see much rapid growth at this time of year!

4. Choose suitable varieties

Make sure you are sowing varieties that are happy growing in winter. You can always check the seed packet or information online. This should clearly tell you what time of year they can be grown.

5. Have a good set up

Whenever you are working in the greenhouse, have it set up so you can work comfortably. Whenever you sit to work, make sure you can get close to the working area. Have your legs tucked at right angles and elbows resting on the work surface.

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Heading outside this winter? Keep yourself warm with a purple beanie hat from Thrive.

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Cauliflower seedlings in a tray
Cauliflower seedlings in a tray

Each winter month brings the opportunity to grow slightly different food and flower crops.

December

Food crops to sow for a winter harvest:

  • Winter lettuce
  • Lamb’s lettuce
  • Mustard greens
  • Microgreens (can harvest all year round)
  • Herbs (can harvest all year around)

Food crops to sow for a later harvest:

  • Broad beans (spring harvest)
  • Carrots (spring harvest)
  • Onions, shallots sets (summer harvest)
  • Garlic cloves (summer harvest)

Flowers to sow:

  • Snapdragons
  • Laurentia
  • Begonia
  • Geraniums
  • Cyclamen

January

Food crops to sow:

  • Spinach (early spring harvest)
  • Lettuces (spring harvest)
  • Salad onions (spring harvest)
  • Carrots (spring harvest)
  • Cabbages (early summer harvest)
  • Cauliflowers (early summer harvest)
  • Broad beans (early summer harvest)
  • Onions, shallots, garlic (Plant out in spring, harvest in summer)
  • Microgreens (can harvest all year round)
  • Herbs (can harvest all year round)

Flowers to sow:

  • Snapdragons
  • Begonia
  • Geraniums
  • Dianthus
  • Lobelia
  • Sweet peas

February

Food crops to sow:

  • Peas (harvest spring or summer)
  • Carrots (harvest late spring or summer)
  • Potatoes (you may want to chit first, harvest late spring or summer depending on variety)
  • Aubergines (harvest summer)
  • Onions, shallots, garlic (plant out in spring, harvest late summer)
  • Brassicas (plant out in spring, harvest late summer)
  • Leeks (plant out in spring, harvest late summer)
  • Microgreens (can harvest all year round)
  • Herbs (can harvest all year round)

Flowers to sow:

  • Lobelia
  • Begonia (tubers)
  • Snapdragons
  • Dahlias (tubers)
  • Sweet peas
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Geraniums

Top tip

Don't have a greenhouse? There are a small number of vegetables that can be grown in the ground during winter. Read our guide to vegetables to grow in winter for advice.

Written in collaboration with
Rhino greenhouses

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