What We Grow in Our Greenhouse

When gardening in Kitsap County, extending the growing season can be a game-changer. For us, our trusty 10×12′ greenhouse has become the key to growing an incredible variety of plants all year round, regardless of the sometimes unpredictable weather. From waking up container figs in February to protecting tropical plants through the colder months, our greenhouse has made gardening more diverse and exciting than ever.

Here’s a closer look at everything we cultivate in and around our greenhouse and how we make the most of this versatile space.

Waking Up Plants Early and Extending Their Seasons

One of the main reasons we set up our greenhouse was to push the limits of typical growing seasons. Here in Kitsap County, the weather doesn’t always cooperate for longer seasons, but the greenhouse solves that.

• Container Figs: Every February, we bring our potted fig trees inside to “wake them up” early. By providing them with a warm, cozy environment, they thrive, producing fruit sooner and more abundantly.
• Pepper Plants: Getting peppers to last longer can be tricky when fall starts creeping in. That’s why we bring our peppers indoors in September or October. It keeps them protected as the temperatures drop, and we extend their fruiting season well into the colder months.
• Tender Flowers: We also dig up tender flowers, such as flowering maple, and place them in our greenhouse over the winter. This keeps them safe from harsh weather conditions and allows them to thrive in a controlled environment. By providing consistent care, these delicate plants emerge healthy and ready to bloom again come spring.

Protecting Citrus Over Winter

Citrus plants are surprisingly hardy and can handle being outside most of the year here west of the mountains in Kitsap. But come winter, they definitely appreciate the warmer conditions of our greenhouse.

Here’s what we grow in our citrus collection:

• Cara Cara Oranges: Known for their sweet, pink-fleshed fruit, these oranges are delightful to grow.
• Meyer Lemons: A gardener’s favorite, these lemons are slightly sweeter and less acidic than regular varieties.
• Persian Limes and Key Limes: Both Persian limes (great for cooking and cocktails) and Key limes (perfect for pies!) thrive in the greenhouse.
• Kumquats and Limequats: These unique citrus fruits bring a burst of tart and sweet flavor—we love adding them to our winter harvest.
• Grapefruit (Rio Red): Known for its vibrant red flesh and sweet-tangy flavor, Rio Red is perfect for juicing or enjoying fresh. A nutritious and versatile citrus option.

While these plants could handle some outdoor time in fair conditions, the greenhouse ensures they thrive even when the weather turns chilly.

Growing Tropicals and Subtropicals (Even Year-Round!)

If you’ve ever thought growing tropical plants couldn’t work in Kitsap, think again. Our greenhouse lets us cultivate a range of tropical delights. Some of these stay in the greenhouse year-round, but most go outside in the summer months.

Here are the tropical plants we keep in our greenhouse over the winter months (and sometimes even during the summer):

• Passion Fruit: This vining plant produces stunning flowers and fruit that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
• Babaco Papaya: A lesser-known tropical fruit that’s easy to grow in a greenhouse— supposedly its flavor is a mix of pineapple and melon.
• Bananas: Growing bananas in Kitsap County might sound too bold, but with the greenhouse, it’s entirely doable.
• Pineapples: Yes, pineapples! While they take a while to fruit, nothing beats the satisfaction of taste-testing your home-grown pineapple for the first time.
• Plumeria: Fragrant, colorful flowers that thrive in warm climates and add a tropical touch to any space. Easy to grow with stunning blooms often used in leis.
• True Jasmine: A climbing plant with star-shaped, fragrant flowers. Perfect for sunny, well-drained areas, and widely used in perfumes and teas.
• Ginger: A spicy, aromatic root with health benefits. Grows well in warm, humid climates and is ideal for cooking, teas, and holistic remedies.
• Turmeric: Vibrant spice with anti-inflammatory properties. Thrives in warm, moist conditions and is perfect for culinary and wellness uses.
• Wasabi: A pungent, flavorful plant for Japanese cuisine. Requires cool, shaded environments and moist soil. A rewarding challenge for growers.
• Sugar Cane: Tall grass producing sweet stalks used for sugar and by-products like molasses. Needs warm climates, sunlight, and rich soil.
• Colocasia (Taro): Cultivated for its edible corms and leaves. Thrives in warm, moist environments and offers nutritional and ornamental value.
• Galanga: A spicy, citrusy rhizome used in Southeast Asian cuisine. Grows in warm, humid climates with partial shade.
• Pomegranate: A fruit-bearing shrub valued for its nutrient-rich seeds and antioxidant properties. Thrives in warm, arid climates.
• Lemon Guava: A small, tropical fruit known for its tangy, lemon-like flavor and high vitamin C content. Grows well in warm, sunny climates with moderate watering and tolerates a range of soil types.
• Strawberry Guava: A sweet, aromatic fruit with a flavor reminiscent of strawberries. Prefers warm, humid conditions and thrives in well-drained soil, making it an excellent choice for home gardens.
• Jujube:– The jujube is a small, sweet fruit rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber. Thriving in warm climates, these hardy, low-maintenance trees grow fine in containers.

Starting Seeds for Early Success

Late winter and early spring are some of the busiest times in the greenhouse. This is when we use it to start seeds and prepare for the growing season ahead. This year, for instance, we’re focused on propagating native flowers for a food forest project.

Right now, we’ve got four 10×20 trays of native flower seeds going strong! These will eventually be transplanted into our food forest, making it a haven for pollinators and supporting local ecosystems.

The beauty of starting seeds in the greenhouse lies in the control it provides—ideal lighting, warmth, and protection from unpredictable weather make for consistently successful germination.

A Greenhouse That Can Withstand It All

Our greenhouse isn’t just versatile—it’s durable. Built from a 10×12′ kit from Harbor Freight, it has endured some serious Kitsap County storms. Remember that bomb cyclone we had in November 2024? Our greenhouse came out unscathed, proving that with a few minor modifications, it’s built to last.

Greenhouse 1, Bomb Cyclone 0.

Why a Greenhouse Could Be Your Next Gardening Must-Have

For us, the greenhouse isn’t just a gardening accessory—it’s a gardening game-changer. From protecting tender tropicals to waking up figs early and starting seeds efficiently, it’s become an essential tool in our gardening toolkit. Regardless of your gardening goals, having a greenhouse opens up opportunities to grow what you love, when you want, in any weather.

If you’re in Kitsap County or similar climates, consider investing in one. Whether you’re nurturing citrus trees, experimenting with tropicals, or just trying to extend your growing season, a greenhouse can make your gardening goals achievable.

Happy growing!