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Growing from Seed

Sowing Seed in Greenhouse?

16 years ago

I just bought a 20'X48' hoop type greenouse with plastic covering. I do not want to start heating it until first of march. I live in zone 6 with a last frost date of 4/10. The question I have is can I go ahead and start all my hardy perennials now? What about annuals? Some examples of the annuals that I grow is impatiens, petunias, marigolds and coleus. Also what about peppers? Right now I have a sheet of plywood in spare bedroom with ligts hanging over it with seedlings of impatiens and petunias since they take so long to grow. Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Portia

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Comments (6)

sharont
16 years ago
Your greenhouse can be used as a space for wintersown seeds. The WS forum is full of info.
Pots in plastic bags or other sowing receptacles can be placed in there and go through a natural alternating temperature cycles. Germination will probably take place in late March, April & May.
But if you want your bedroom back you'll have to heat the greenhouse, on timer? (for your annnuals) until the last frost date.
belleville_rose_gr
16 years ago
I have a gh also and have placed some perennial seed trays in there. I also have annuals growing in my basement that will be moved to the gh later in March. I have an electric heater I can use for the cold nights
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morz8 - Washington Coast
16 years ago
Portia, you don't say which perennials. Many will benefit from a moist chill and would be happy in your unheated greenhouse - those that don't need it are usually not hurt by chilling.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clothiers germination database
sheltieche
16 years ago
Impatiens and petunias are not long growing annuals IMO
petunias are 9-11 weeks to flower and impatiens are 10-13. Single petunias will start bloom earlier than doubles.
Impatiens like Jung Gold and species are likely to bloom as short as 8 weeks.
Since in my zone I would be putting such tender plants no earlier than mid May/ or later depending on the spring temps/
I would not start them until April.
belleville_rose_gr
16 years ago
I have just started some impatient seeds along with other annuals here in so.illinois. I will pinch any buds that may develop before putting outside but most annuals will bloom all summer if taken care of.
rachel_z6
16 years ago
I start my petunia and impatiens early, as well. they germinate quickly but do take longer to grow to a full size. I've started them as early as the last week in January, but I did them the first week in February this year and last. Tender annuals aren't suited for the unheated greenhouse while it's still cold out (1. it's too cold for them, 2. plants have a temperature they like to grow at, and even if it's not cold enough to kill them, it won't be warm enough for them to do anything. Ever notice how your petunias are small, and then when it gets real warm out they take off?).

I sow cool annuals and perennials in the unheated greenhouse - similar to winter sowing. At the moment my greenhouse isn't heated, but I've built a propagation tent inside (using greenhouse film) that has a small heater inside. that means I only have to heat a 4Wx6Lx3H space. By the time those seedlings are ready to be potted up I will be heating the whole greenhouse. you can use your hoophouse for cool season vegetables. I don't start peppers until a few weeks before the last frost. they like it warm. I haven't tried starting them even earlier and growing them inside - I don't have the space. It's all taken up by flowers!

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