The first greenhouse harvest

In April, we decided to purchase a 13m² Juliana Premium greenhouse which was installed in May. It still fits perfectly in our garden, and we are quite happy with the quality. In my first article, you can read all about the things we were especially aware of before purchasing a greenhouse. In the meantime, we have been able to harvest a lot from the greenhouse, which stands and shines right beside a wonderful floral splendour in the garden. A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks, but what has actually happened since the installation of the greenhouse? 

We divided the greenhouse and put up beds. For the frames of the garden beds, we used wooden beams that were dug into the ground. This way, we limited the outer walls of the beds. In the middle of the greenhouse, we added a raised bed. The wooden frame was built with boards made of larch wood. Larch wood is suitable for garden beds/raised beds because it has a high resin content that protects the wood well against moisture. Subsequently, the greenhouse beds were prepared with a mixture of topsoil and compost. This way, they were optimally supplied with nutrients and ready for planting. 

On the right side of the greenhouse, we planted snake- and snack cucumbers. We used a jute net as a trellis, which was stretched out over the entire right glass window. For this purpose, we purchased plant rings for plants from Juliana that are easily fastened in the greenhouse metal rails. In the beginning, we had our doubts whether or not the jute net would be enough. But we can now confirm that the jute net was a perfect solution, as it was easy to put up. We harvested the first cucumbers approximately 4 weeks after we first planted them (in the beginning of June), and they were really delicious. The fruits developed so quickly that we were able to harvest a basket full of cucumbers almost every other day. In August, the harvest is decreasing, and the first couple of plants will dry out. The result: we have had a very successful cucumber season in the greenhouse. 

Right next to the cucumbers lay the watermelon. In the beginning, we had some problems with the melons. The first watermelon- and honeydew melon plants died after we planted them. We purchased two more watermelon plants after that, which fortunately have survived so far. The watermelon spread fast. The shoots therefore need to be shortened regularly so that it doesn’t spread too much and instead uses its energy on the growth of its flowers and fruits. It has worked well until now, and we have already harvested two watermelons that tasted sweet and delicious, and we are already looking forward to more fruits. 

In the middle bed, we planted cabbage, which we have not had much success with so far. In the summer months, it is too hot for cabbage in the greenhouse. After we planted the cabbage, it quickly shot up, whereafter it was attacked by larvae. In the end of July, we gave up on cabbage and gave the rest to the chickens. Pepper plants and lettuce moved in instead. 

 

On the left side of the greenhouse, we planted chili and pepper. In the beginning, the plants were stabilized with the help of wooden sticks. We ended up fastening the plant with trellis because they had grown huge and were tipping over. All plants carry fruits, and the first fruits are becoming red and yellow. A couple of the fruits have brown spots, but we don’t know the reason for it. It is important to pick these fruits immediately and throw them out. There can be several reasons for the brown spots, such as the soil not having a sufficient amount of nutrients or the water supply not being balanced, etc. Despite this, we have been able to harvest a couple of fruits, and at the moment, we are well underway with harvesting pepper and chili. 

 I am excited to learn which experiences we take with us from the first pepper and chili season in the greenhouse, and I will tell all about it in the coming weeks. Now it is time to use the many delicious fruits in the kitchen.