The climate on the north Olympic Peninsula has many advantages, but it makes growing some vegetable varieties difficult. Having a greenhouse can open up a world of possibilities to you beyond growing tomatoes or peppers. Join Clallam County Master Gardeners Betsy Burlingame and David Ramblin for the Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Growing Food in a Greenhouse” and find out how to extend your growing season, both spring and fall, and enjoy more home-grown food.

Find a direct link to the presentation here.

“We are able to grow tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, okra, basil, and other vegetable starts. We also were able to get a great start on getting our flowers ready to be placed outside when the weather permitted,” David said.

Whether you have a hoop-house, a cold frame or an elaborate one made of glass or plastic, a greenhouse can be used to grow your own food during the colder months. According to Washington State University, in addition to growing greens like spinach and lettuce, you can also grow cold-tolerant veggies such as cabbage and broccoli in a green house.

“We have been growing food in our greenhouses since 2006. Every day and every season is different, depending on the weather and what we decide to grow in the greenhouse. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs and propagating some flowering plants,” Betsy said.

Greenhouses also allow gardeners to grow food regardless of the weather, while also adding additional growing area vertically if more garden space is needed.

Betsy spent her early gardening years in Eastern Washington where everything grows well. When she moved to Sequim 26 years ago, she “failed miserably at growing anything in our maritime climate.” Betsy built her first greenhouse to overwinter a lemon tree in 2006 after visiting several “lemon houses” in Italy.

“Growing, harvesting and preserving our own food is a shared passion with my husband. I’m particularly interested in finding new and different ways of using what we grow.” Betsy has been a Master Gardener since 2011, holds two degrees from Washington State University, and plans to be a lifelong student.

David grew up in Northern Louisiana where the growing season is much longer. “We planted a garden from late March to early May depending on the weather. Usually in late May or June you would be eating some of the vegetables we planted,” he said. After college, David joined the U.S. Air Force and traveled the world. He met his wife in Oregon, and they have been married for 45 years. David became a Master Gardener in 2012 and has held several positions in the organization including President and Vice-President. He’s been involved with Master Gardener events and enjoys working with the other Master Gardeners.

The Green Thumb Education Series presentation “Growing Food in a Greenhouse” will be held:

In person on Thursday, June 8th from noon – 1:00 p.m.

at the Port Angeles Library’s Carver Room, 2210 S. Peabody St. in Port Angeles.

Or you may join via Zoom from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

Dial-in to the Meeting: 253-215-8782

Meeting ID: 936 2989 8830

Passcode: 676224

The Green Thumb Education Series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2679.