During the Victorian era, greenhouses were constructed to protect trees such as Lemon, Orange, and Fig from the cold. Eventually, the term tropical greenhouse was coined to refer to the growing of exotic fruits such as pineapples and bananas.
Today, most of the time, growers prefer to grow their vegetables and ornamental plants in cold frames or greenhouses.
A 6 by 8 foot greenhouse is ideal for growing vegetables and fruits. When choosing which fruit to grow, the temperature and size of the greenhouse are taken into account.
Although some fruits prefer to be kept in containers, others prefer to be grown in the ground. For instance, Peaches and nectarines prefer to be grown in the ground.
Related: How to Grow Fruit Trees in a Greenhouse
Best Fruit to Grow in a Greenhouse
Certain types of fruit trees grow very well in a greenhouse. These include tropical fruit trees, such as bananas, and warm-loving fruit trees, such as pears, peaches, and bananas. Apples, on the other hand, are not ideal since they need winter chill to produce fruit.
Here are a few types of fruits that grow very well in greenhouse:
- Apricot
- Peach
- Apple
- Orange
- Grape
- Fig
- Melon
- Lemon
- Nectarine
- Golden berry
- Strawberry
Melon
You can also grow cucumbers in a greenhouse. There are several types of melons that are commonly grown in this area, such as the Ogen, Sweetheart, and Blenheim Orange. The greenhouse can also help protect the fruit from wind and rain. You can also start seeds planting earlier.
The best type of melon to grow in a greenhouse is the Sweetheart, as it has a harder plant and produces a deeper orange flesh. Other types such as the Charantais and the Ogen have pale green flesh.
Nectarine
Sport is a term used in biology to describe the appearance of unusual or striking variation in a plant’s form or color. For instance, in peaches, the skin’s smooth texture is a dominant trait.
Both peach and nectarine trees can grow on the same tree. Some of the most common types of nectarines that can be grown in greenhouse conditions are Humboldt, Elruge, and Pine Apple.
Peach
You can protect your peach tree from pests and the hot weather by growing it in a greenhouse. However, if you have a lean-to structure, you can easily grow the tree in ground next to a south-facing wall. On the other hand, if you have a freestanding greenhouse, you can easily grow the tree in 12 pots for several years.
Most of the peach varieties that are commonly grown in greenhouse are Bellegarde, Duke of York, and Peregrine. However, they should be aware of the pests that can affect their growth, such as the red spider mite and aphids.
Strawberry
Strawberries are very easy to grow in a greenhouse. They can be planted in August or September and have good roots. The most popular choice is Cambridge Favorite.
You can grow your own strawberries in a small space by using a retro colander. This is a great way to add a bit of style to any garden or balcony.
Some of the most common types of strawberries that you can grow in a greenhouse are Tamella, Elvira, and Royal Sovereign. During winter months, you can keep them in a cool greenhouse and they will produce fruits in April. If you are after something a bit different, try growing coffee plants.
Although it’s not possible to grow strawberries in the open, it’s still possible to harvest them indoors. The bright red berries are known to attract pests and are a great source of nutrients. You can also try raising them up to harvest them later.
Blueberries
Grow your own healthy crop of blueberries and reap the benefits of their delicious fruit and flowers. They can be stored in containers or used in recipes.
Citrus
Since they’re usually not able to grow outside of their usual climate, most citrus fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are only grown indoors. Even if you’re in a blizzard, you can still pick them up indoors.
Although it’s not exactly an easy process, growing fruit from the leaves of a tree is very quick and relatively easy. Just make sure that the environment is warm enough to allow the tree to thrive during the winter.
If possible, take advantage of the faster propagation by taking suitable cuttings. These can help fruiting plants produce faster.
Grapes
Modern grape varieties are now available to grow in small gardens and even in cold regions. Some of these include Regent and Dornfelder, which are both adapted to regions with low temperatures. These are great for training along a wall.
Although it’s not ideal to start a vineyard indoors, certain types of table grapes are good candidates for a greenhouse. You can also build your own greenhouse if your supplier doesn’t offer the necessary equipment.
Raspberries
Like strawberries, raspberries are prone to attracting pests and birds when they are left in the garden. However, unlike their namesake, they can be grown in one bush and produce up to two quarts of berries.
Apricots
Although apricot trees are not ideal for outdoor growing, they are very good to grow in a greenhouse due to their low temperatures during winter.
Although it’s possible to grow Apricots in containers or pots, they will eventually become too small. To prevent this, start by planting Apricot trees in the ground.
Golden Berries
Golden berries are very easy to grow in a greenhouse. They are also similar to tomatoes in terms of their growing conditions.
The plant is vigorous and leafy, and it’s not suitable for a small greenhouse. Its golden berries are covered in papery husks.
Orange
The best tree to grow in a greenhouse for orange is the Mandarin, as it is the hardiest type of orange. There are also other varieties such as Satsuma and Bitter Orange.
Lemon
You can grow a lemon tree indoors, but you need to choose the right variety. The best tree to grow in a greenhouse is the C. limon ‘Meyer’ which grows to a height of 4 feet. You can also try growing Kumquat and Lime.
Fig
You can grow a small tree of the same species in a pot, which will allow it to produce fruit better than growing it in the ground. You can also plant the tree in a fan shape, which will allow you to maximize its space in a small greenhouse.
The most popular types of figs for greenhouse growing are the White Marseilles and the Bourjasotte Grise. They require regular water and are very demanding trees.
Apple: Not Ideal for Greenhouse
Since apples are not self-fertile, they need another tree to pollinate the flowers and produce fruit. This is why it’s important to keep the same variety of apples in your garden.
These trees are commonly referred to as dwarf fruit trees because they grow up to 10 feet wide and are ideal for greenhouse growing. They can be planted in pots and kept in a greenhouse during winter. They can also be moved from one place to another to speed up their bloom.
Kiwi: Not Ideal for Greenhouse
Although it’s possible to grow kiwi fruit in a greenhouse, it’s not a good idea to do so. The fruit is very vigorous and has large leaves.
Although it is not ideal for greenhouse growing, it is still possible to keep the growth under control. However, it is important to regularly prune it to prevent it from growing too fast.
Related: When Is the Season for Kiwi Fruits?
Conclusion: Growing Fruits in Greenhouse
Although most fruit plants are perennial, they can still produce a bountiful crop each year if they are properly maintained.
If you are worried about the potential damage caused by pests, such as birds and rodents, then you might want to consider growing your own fruit indoors.
If you’re short on space, it can be hard to start a small garden with fruit. However, with the right equipment and the right advice, you can easily start growing your own fruit.
