Have you been thinking about growing your own food?
Maybe you picture a little backyard greenhouse with tomatoes ripening on the vine, herbs ready to toss into dinner, and leafy greens thriving even in winter. Sounds pretty good, yeah?
But then reality sets in... Where do you even start? What grows when? Do you need fancy tools or a gardening degree to pull it off?
Here’s the good news: greenhouse gardening isn’t just for experts. With a bit of guidance, beginners can grow fresh, healthy food year-round.
Still figuring out which greenhouse fits your space? No worries. You can read this simple guide first to help you find the right match.
Once you're set up, this month-by-month planting guide will show you what to grow, when to grow it, and how to keep things running smoothly.
What Can I Grow in a Greenhouse All Year-Round in Australia?
The short answer: plenty! From herbs and leafy greens to tomatoes and chillies, a greenhouse lets you extend your growing season and enjoy food that would normally struggle outdoors. Here’s a month-by-month guide for Aussie growers.
What to Grow in Your Greenhouse Each Month
January
Kick off the year with microgreens, rocket, parsley, and basil. Keep an eye on airflow—greenhouses can get toasty in summer.
February
Use the lingering heat to grow chillies, capsicums, and eggplants. Harvest fast-growing herbs and check ventilation daily.
March
Cooler days are perfect for lettuce, spinach, and Asian greens. Try beetroot and carrots for the autumn harvest.
April
Autumn is in full swing. Plant broccoli, kale, silverbeet, and radishes. These crops love the cooler months but still benefit from greenhouse warmth.
May
Time for cauliflower, snow peas, and garlic. Broad beans also do well if sown now for a winter yield.
June
Don’t down tools. Greenhouses shine in winter. Grow spinach, chard, and mizuna. Use the quieter month to tidy beds and check for pests.
July
Stick with cold-tolerant crops like tatsoi, pak choi, and winter lettuce. Growth slows with short days, so be patient.
August
Prep for spring. Sow tomato and capsicum seeds in trays. Keep greens going and start warming the soil with black plastic or compost to get ahead.
September
Spring planting time! Transplant tomatoes and capsicum seedlings into greenhouse beds. Add zucchini, beans, cucumbers, and fresh herbs like basil and dill.
October
Greenhouse life is in full swing. Add melons, eggplants, and chillies to the mix. Keep sowing fast greens to keep your beds full and productive.
November
Harvest time! Enjoy your tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicums, and zucchinis. Replant empty spots with salad greens, herbs, or fast crops like radish to maintain momentum.
December
Enjoy the summer harvests and refresh beds. Grow more microgreens, cherry tomatoes, and summer basil. Consider a light tidy-up for the new year.
Essential Greenhouse Gardening Tips for Beginners
Now that you have your planting calendar sorted, it’s time to set yourself up for success.
Here are some easy, must-know tips to help you make the most of your space:
1. Let it Breathe - Greenhouses trap heat, which is their strength and also their biggest risk. On hot days, things can heat up quickly.
💡Tip: Open vents or doors during the day to keep air moving. If you don’t have vents, a small fan can help prevent mould, mildew, and heat stress.
2. Water Smart - It’s tempting to overwater when you want to see things grow. But soggy soil leads to unhappy roots.
💡Tip: Check soil moisture with your finger. Water in the morning and focus on the base of plants, not the leaves.
3. Feed the Soil - Healthy plants start with healthy soil.
💡Tip: Use compost or organic fertiliser every few weeks and refresh your soil between seasons to keep nutrients balanced.
4. Watch for Pests - A greenhouse keeps out some pests, but not all. Aphids, whiteflies, and fungus gnats can still sneak in.
💡Tip: Inspect plants regularly. Use natural solutions like neem oil or companion planting to keep bugs away.
5. Monitor Temperature - Too hot? Plants wilt. Too cold? Growth stalls.
💡Tip: Use a simple thermometer inside the greenhouse to monitor conditions. In winter, a DIY heat sink like black water drums can help maintain stable temperatures overnight.
Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
We all make mistakes when learning something new, and gardening is no different. The good news is that most greenhouse gardening mistakes are easy to prevent once you know what to look for.
Here are some common issues beginners face and how to avoid them:
1. Overwatering (or Underwatering) - Plants in greenhouses don’t dry out as fast as they do outside, but they still need water.
⚠️ Avoid it: Stick your finger into the soil; if it feels damp a few centimetres down, hold off. Water in the morning to avoid damp overnight conditions that promote mould.
2. Poor Airflow - Stale, humid air leads to fungus, pests, and unhappy plants.
⚠️ Avoid it: Open vents or doors during the day, and space your plants to prevent crowding.
3. Ignoring Pests - It’s easy to think your greenhouse is bug-free until you notice chewed leaves or tiny whiteflies.
⚠️ Avoid it: Check under leaves regularly. Neem oil or garlic spray can keep most pests under control without harmful chemicals.
4. Using Garden Soil - If you’re tempted to grab some backyard soil for your pots, remember it might carry pests, weed seeds, or drainage issues.
⚠️ Avoid it: Always use fresh, sterile potting mix for containers or well-prepared raised beds inside the greenhouse.
5. Planting Too Much, Too Soon - Excited gardeners often fill every inch of space, but realise plants need room to grow.
⚠️ Avoid it: Start small. Follow your monthly guide and add more as you get comfortable.
FAQs
1. What’s the easiest thing to grow in a greenhouse for beginners?
Lettuce, rocket, basil, and microgreens are quick, forgiving, and rewarding.
2. Do I need heating in winter?
Most parts of Australia don’t need full heating—just insulation and a DIY heat sink can keep plants happy.
3. Is a small greenhouse worth it?
Yes! Even a mini greenhouse can give you year-round herbs and greens.
Ready to Give It a Go?
Greenhouse gardening isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning as you grow and enjoying the small victories along the way.
With this month-by-month guide, a few good habits, and some patience, you’ll be harvesting fresh, homegrown produce all year round, no matter the weather outside.
So go ahead and give it a try. Start small, stay curious, and enjoy the harvest.
