Keeping Your Greenhouse Productive in November

As temperatures drop and daylight shortens, your greenhouse becomes a vital refuge for tender crops and an engine for year-round harvests. With the right care, you can keep it productive—even in chilly November—growing greens, salad, herbs, and enjoying the last of autumn’s warmth. Here’s how to make the most of your greenhouse this month:

1. Ventilate When Possible (But Don’t Freeze)

• Open doors and vents briefly on sunny, mild days to prevent damp, mould, and fungal diseases.
• Close up well before dusk to preserve retained heat.

2. Maximise Light and Reduce Shade

• Wash glass or plastic panels with warm, soapy water to maximize precious daylight.
• Remove shading paints, temporary blinds, and any dead foliage.

3. Insulate Without Blocking the Sun

• Line the north wall or lower sides with bubblewrap or fleece for extra thermal protection.
• Place fleece or cloches over crops on cold nights; pull away by day for light and air.

4. Check and Treat for Pests

• Watch for aphids, whitefly, and fungus gnats—remove affected leaves and use sticky traps if needed.
• Clear out any plant debris or rotting fruit to deter slugs and mould.

5. Water Less, but Don’t Let Dry Out

• Dampen in the morning only, and always water at the base, not on the leaves.
• Reduce watering to avoid both soggy soil and drought stress—crops grow slower in cool, dim days.

6. Grow and Sow Winter Crops

• Sow or transplant winter lettuces, spinach, chard, pak choi, mizuna, and Asian greens for regular salads.
• Try cut-and-come-again herbs (parsley, coriander, chervil, dill) in troughs or trays.
• Start broad beans, peas, or early carrots in large pots for the quickest spring harvest.

7. Bring in Tender Crops

• Shelter chillies, peppers, aubergines, pelargoniums, and citrus before hard frosts hit.
• Raise pots on bricks, away from cold floors.

8. Order and Organise

• Sort and clean seed trays, modules, and pots.
• Make a list of seeds and supplies you’ll need for late winter and spring sowings.

9. Mulch and Feed

• Top up beds or pots with compost or leaf mold for steady nutrition over winter.

10. Plan and Enjoy

• Set out a stool and notebook—winter greenhouse days are perfect for planning, browsing seeds, and jotting down dreams for next year!

With a little focused attention, your greenhouse stays lush, productive, and a welcome bright spot through even the darkest November. Keep things ticking over, and you’ll be harvesting right up to the new year!