One of the advantages of having a greenhouse or polytunnel is that you can grow produce all year round. However, though that may technically be true, there’s an important caveat that must be made. It’s not necessarily always easy to grow vegetables and plants throughout the different seasons. And especially during the summer, when the temperatures continue to rise and things can become oh so hot. So perhaps the most basic rule for keen gardeners using their polytunnel or greenhouse to grow fruit and veg during the summer is: keep things cool. This isn’t going to happen by itself when the sun is beating down all day.

You can help to cool things down somewhat by adding some shade coverage and creating some ventilation in the greenhouse. Water in the greenhouse can also keep those pesky pests at bay, too.

What should you grow in your polytunnel during the summer?

Within limits and with the obvious exceptions you can  grow most things in your polytunnel during the summer months. But let’s concentrate on fruit and vegetables. And some crops are more suited to the indoor environment that are others.

For example, you could grow potatoes in your greenhouse if you wanted to. But unless you’re very restricted for space they are far more suited to be grown outdoors. So, what should you be planting in your greenhouse to make the most of your space? It’s best to look at the plants that can handle the heat better than others and which will deliver a good crop. Plants that aren’t so sensitive to heat will help to keep you from stressing about the temperature inside your greenhouse. Summer is about gardening but should also be about fun, remember.

A few good options include tomatoes, salad, peppers, and beans. They’ll all do well in the heat of July and August. During the summer, you also look at taking cuttings from your plants, too. You’ll want to take semi-ripe cuttings (for comparison and information: during spring you should take softwood cuttings; hardwood cuttings during autumn and winter).

How can you prepare for winter?

It’s always important to think of the future seasons when you’re working in your greenhouse. It might be warm now, but soon, autumn and then winter will come. Towards the end of the season, when you know that all the harvests are done, you’ll want to clear out your greenhouse. It’s best to dispose of older plants rather than just letting them sit in your greenhouse. Many of the summer plants, such as tomatoes, are prone to disease. Cleaning the trays and clearing away any old debris will help to get your greenhouse ready for winter too.

The end of the summer season is also a great opportunity to check your  greenhouse or polytunnel for any damage. Besides the occasional thunderstorm, the weather during summer will likely have been relatively pleasant. During autumn and winter, the weather will be more ferocious -- and that means that any vulnerable spots may be at risk of further damage. When the weather is still pleasant, inspect for your greenhouse for any damage and fix anything that needs fixing.

This is very important for polytunnels on allotments in particular as a small tear will worsen and could cause serious issues when the inclement weather hits. If necessary, purchase a  replacement polytunnel cover and install it before autumn.

If you’re still growing during this time, be on alert for any sudden drops in temperature, which can happen during the seasonal transitions.

If you’re looking to upgrade your greenhouse or thinking about taking the first steps into indoor growing check out our fantastic range of polytunnels. Far more versatile, easier to build and far better value for money than greenhouses our polytunnels start at under £400. Click here to learn more.