Helpful Grower’s Guide
What’s Growin On
What to Plant Right Now
Scheduling for Year-Round Harvests and Blooms in the Greenhouse
The schedules provided on the bottom of this page tell you what to plant right now and when those plants will be mature.
Scheduling has everything to do with successful greenhouse gardening. You should always be thinking many months ahead and sow something for future harvests every couple of weeks. Scroll down and you will find some great, free schedules to help you plan your future crops. If you want year-round schedules check out my book.
‘Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion.’ It has complete year-round schedules and even more information on how to set up your own schedules. If you need a copy you can order it online by clicking here.
This is also the time when the bugs are still hanging around the greenhouse. One of the most important things you can do is not let things get out of control as we go into winter! Develop your own early warning system by checking regularly on the underside of the leaves for the beginnings of infestations.
Don’t miss the chapter in the book Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion on controlling pests with the latest in low-toxicity bug controls. See our section on pest control.
The following information comes from the book: Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion by Shane Smith Click here to order.
Grow your own and share with friends and family. Nature is abundant!
Scheduling is one of the biggest problems people have when growing in a greenhouse. Especially if your greenhouse doesn’t have supplemental lighting or perfect heating and cooling systems- most of us don’t run perfect temperatures so we have to adjust to the greenhouse climate which means paying attention to the seasons. This is extremely true if you are growing in a primarily solar heated greenhouse, high tunnel or try to conserve on heating and cooling costs.
Timing in a greenhouse is everything!
Use the pdf charts below to not only know when to plant but when to harvest. they are timed to whether you run a warm greenhouse or a cooler greenhouse.
Pest Control
Click here for an extensive list of Pest Control Sources
Reproduction or printing of material from this web site is prohibited. This material is excerpted from the book Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion by Shane Smith.
Scroll down to see what you’ll find in the book Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion on pest control.
Pest Control
A hard spray of water can knock off many common greenhouse pests! Now someone has created a water sprayer designed to beat up bugs! Check out The Bug Blaster! It’s 100% chemical free and uses only water. I wish I had thought of it!
Are you having trouble with diseases on your tomatoes? If so, check this great tomato problem-solver site out.
Controlling Aphids in the Greenhouse
Question
Answer
It is a good idea to get these guys under control. I have had great luck with biological control using small parasitic wasps which really go after the aphids (as discussed in the revised version of my book). Aphidius colemani and Aphidius ervi are both good at controlling these critters.
Also, I have excellent luck w/ Aphidoletes aphidimyza. This aphid predator is also known as “aphid midge” and works great as a general feeder of aphids. The adults feed on flower nectar and pollen. The adults usually lay eggs near aphid infestations, and larvae hatch out and feed on the aphid for 3 to 6 days before burrowing into the soil to pupate into an adult. It kills the aphid by injecting a paralyzing toxin into the aphid and then sucking out their body fluids. It works best in the warmer months when the days are longer.
As far as the green lacewings, I would suspect that you have a bad supplier who shipped you some dead lacewings! Get your money back! Sadly, this happens all the time! Be sure your bugs arrive alive! Don’t just set them out without seeing them hatch and move. If not complain!
Now some spray options: Sprays that are kind to beneficials insects include: Beauveria bassiana, a fungus-based spray works well on aphids and has a low toxicity rating. Neem oil is also easier on predators and parasites and can help reduce the numbers of aphids when you release some beneficials to help. Be sure to check the neem oil label to be certain that it is safe for use on the crops you’re growing.
Other sprays: Soap sprays and horticultural oils work well on aphids but must be used with care as they can also cause burning on sensitive plants. They will also kill any beneficial bugs you might have released if you get direct contact w/ the spray.
Pyrethrins are botanically based and kill both good and bad bugs alike.
Always when you spray follow the directions and spray the underside of the leaves where the critters hide and multiply!
Chapter 10:
When Things Go Wrong – What You’ll Find in the Book
Greenhouse Gardener’s Companion
- Managing Pets and Diseases in the Greenhouse
- Your Best Defense
- Causes and Effects of Problems: Animal, Mineral, or YOU?
- Pest-Control Strategies
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- The Basics of a Successful IPM Program
- Sprays with IPM
- IPM and Patience
- Beneficial Critters That Feed on Many Pests
- Sprays as Pest Controls
- Alternative Sprays and Concoctions for Pest Control
- Other Naturally Based Pest Sprays
- Spray Adjuvants and Additives
- Other Nonspray Pest Controls
- Know Your Pests
- Identifying Pests in Your Greenhouse
- Common Greenhouse Pests
- Weeds
- Diseases
- Organism-Caused Diseases and Characteristics
- Disease-Control Strategies
- Common Greenhouse Plant Diseases
- Environmentally Caused Diseases
- Diseases: A Final Word
Pest Control Sources
Greenhouse Pest Control Resources
Please note that some of these suppliers are producers of their products whereas others are simply distributors. Those that do produce their own critters often charge less and have a fresher product. Do some shopping around because prices and quality may vary greatly.
Suppliers of Beneficial Organisms in North America is a web and print publication of the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Department of Pesticide Regulation. It is one of the most comprehensive lists of suppliers of beneficial organisms used for biological control. Suppliers are located in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. You can find this list here.
For specific questions about a particular pesticide, call the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network: 1-800-858-7378
Alternative Garden Supply. Inc.
www.alternativegarden.com, P.O. Box 662, Cary IL 60013, 1-800-444-2837
Carries beneficial critters and other pest-controls. Mostly carries hydroponic systems, CO2 generators, lighting supplies and other indoor garden products.Applied Bionomics
11074 W. Saanich Rd., Sidney, BC, Canada V8L 3X9
If you are in Canada, this is a great source. If you are from the United States, you may need to get an importation permit to have bugs mailed across international borders.
NOTE: To purchase insects from foreign countries, you must first obtain an import permit. Write to the USDA PPQ/APHIS, Federal Center Bld., Hyattsville, MD 20782. Ask for Permit Number 526.Arbico
www.arbico-organics.com, P.O. Box 4247 CRB, Tucson, AZ 85738, 1-800-827-2847
Also known as Arizona Biological Control. They have a good selection of beneficial insects, many for the greenhouse. Also other helpful products for growing plants.Beneficial Insectary
www.insectary.com, 14751 Oak Run Road, Oak Run, CA 96069, 1-800-477-3715
Carries beneficial critters for controlling aphid, whitefly, mites, and more.Biocontrol Network
http://www.biconet.com. , 5116 Williamsburg Rd. Brentwood TN 37027 1-800-441-2847
Carries an extensive list of greenhouse pest-control critters and products. Informative catalogBionide Products, Inc.
www.bonide.com, Oriskany, NY 13424
Produces a number of garden insecticidal products. This site is not so much for the purchase of these products but is intended to educate the public about what they offer. Probably the one product best suited for the greenhouse gardener is their “Bon-neem insecticidal soap” product. It contains a comination of the botanical insecticide, Neem and soap.Charley’s Greeenhouses & Indoor Growing Supplies
www.charleysgreenhouse.com, 17979 State Route 536, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, 1-800-322-4707
Carries a wide variety of greenhouse beneficial critters for the home greenhouse gardener as well as an extensive line of greenhouse supplies. Great catalog! Great folks!Do My Own Pest Control
www.domyownpestcontrol.com, This is a great site with an extensive list of products. Both earth safe, organic and otherwise.They offer free advice.
Gardens Alive!®
www.gardens-alive.com, 5100 Schenley Place, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, 1-812-537-8650
Informative catalog with a wide selection of many biological-based pest-controls, including beneficial predators parasites, beneficial nematodes, fertilizers and much more.Greenfire
www.greenfire.net, 2527A Hwy 32 West, Chico CA 95973, 1-800-859-8307
These folks carry a wide variety of pest control materials along with organic hydroponic supplies, lighting materials and more.The Green Spot, Ltd.
www.greenmethods.com, 93 Priest Rd. Nottingham NH 03290-6204, 1-603-942-8925
Carries an extensive selection of beneficial critters for the greenhouse. They also carry natural sprays, Tangletrap, books, supplies and more. The Green Methods Catalog by the folks at the Green Spot is winner of my Best of Show Award for having the most informative and fun to read pest control catalogs on the market. Write them for a catalog! It reads like a good novel, only everything really happens!Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery
www.harmonyfarm.com, 3244 Gravenstein Hwy. North Sebastopol, CA 95472, 1-707-823-9125
Carries a wide variety of growing supplies, pest-controls and beneficial insects.Hydro-Gardens, Inc.
www.hydro-gardens.com, P.O. Box 9707, Colorado Springs, CO 80932, 1-800-634-6362
Offers a wide variety of biological and other pest-control supplies and sprays for the commercial grower but also sells to the hobbyist.International Technology Services, Inc.
www.beesandbugs.com. , P.O. Box 75, Lafayette CO 80026, 1-303-661-9546
Carries a full line of beneficial critters and many biological-based sprays for the greenhouse. Carries the harder to find Aphelinus abdominalis and Aphidius ervi. Caters to both the small and larger growers. Inventory is expanding. Knowledgeable staff, quality products.IPM Laboratories
www.ipmlabs.com, Main St., Locke, NY 13092-0099, 1-315-497-2063
This company produces a very informative catalog and newsletter with helpful, expert information on using its many beneficial insects for greenhouses. Carries whitefly egg parasites and predators as well as a number of wasp parasites for aphid control including the difficult to find Aphelinus abdominalis and Aphidius ervi. They always carry a quality product.Kunafin
www.kunafin.com , Rt. 1 Box 39, Quemado TX 78877 1-800-832-1113
Carries ladybugs, lacewings and controls for house and barn flies.Ladies in Red
www.ladiesinred.com, P.O. Box 2639, La Pine OR 97739, 1-541-536-6212
Caries ladybugs (now I get the great name!) praying mantis and beneficial nematodes and more.M&R Durango, Inc.
www.goodbug.com, P.O. Box 886, Bayfield, CO 81122. A.k.A. The Goodbug Company, (970) 259-3521
Carries Encarsia formosa, thrips predator, spider-mite predator, green lacewing and more.Mellinger’s Nursery
www.mellingers.com, 2310 W. South Range Rd., North Lima, OH 44452-9731, 1-800-321-7444
Carries ladybugs, beneficial nematodes, Tanglefoot™ and Tangle Trap™ , sprays, equipment, and more.Nature’s Control
bugsnc@teleport.com, P.O. Box 35, Medford, OR 97501, 1-541-899-8318
Carries a wide variety of beneficial critters for the greenhouse and hydroponic supplies. Informative catalog.Neem Resources, The Ahimsa Alternative, Inc.
www.neemresource.com, 5317 Whiting Avenue, Edina, MN 55439, 1-877-USE-NEEM, 405-528-0280
Carries pure Neem Oil & Karanja Oil and other Neem products for natural pest controls.Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
www.groworganic.com, P.O. Box 2209, Grass Valley, CA, 1-888-784-1722
This is an extensive catalog of seeds, supplies, beneficial insects, pest-control products and more.Planet Natural
www.planetnatural.com, 1612 Gold Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715, 1-800-289-6656
Carries beneficial critters and a wide variety of natural-based gardening products.Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc.
www.rinconvitova.com, P.O. Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002-1555, 1-800-248-2847
Carries a wide variety of pest-control supplies and beneficial critters. Has large selection and have been in the business longer than most.Victor Pest and Safer Pest Control Products
www.victorpest.com, 1-800-800-1819
Carries a full line of poison free and least toxic pest control products. There is a search feature on pests, what they are, what diseases they may carry, and how to prevent infestations.We Gro-Rite
1482 Fairview Rd., Andrews NC 28901, 1-828-321-4371
These folks specialize in plants and growing systems for strawberry production in greenhouses but they also carry some beneficial insects and provide consulting services with pest control. Especially helpful for greenhouse strawberry growers.Worm’s Way
http://wormsway.com, 7850 North Highway 37, Bloomington IN 47404, 1-800-274-9676
Urban Farming Source Book™, carries beneficial critters for the home greenhouse gardener, hydroponic, lighting, books and other greenhouse and indoor gardening supplies