Learn about growing food in a greenhouse

The climate on the north Olympic Peninsula has many advantages, but it makes growing some vegetable varieties difficult. Local Master Gardeners say 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.

The presentation is set for noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, in the Carver Room at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St. Or join via Zoom from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android by clicking on a link at extension.wsu.edu/clallam (meeting ID 936 2989 8830, passcode 676224), or by phone by calling 253-215-8782.

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

Whether it’s 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,” Burlingame said. “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.”

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

Burlingame 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.” She 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,” she said. “I’m particularly interested in finding new and different ways of using what we grow.”

Burlingame has been a Master Gardener since 2011, earned two degrees from Washington State University and plans to be a lifelong student.

Ramblin 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,” he said. “Usually in late May or June, you would be eating some of the vegetables we planted.”

After college, Ramblin 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.

Sponsored by WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners, the Green Thumbs Garden Tips education series is offered on the second and fourth Thursday each month through October (in November, December and January, one program is offered). Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar (extension.wsu.edu/clallam) for the latest information on upcoming presentations.

For more information, call 360-565-2679.

Photo by Audreen Williams / Find out how you can grow more food in your greenhouse year-round, as Master Gardeners Betsy Burlingame and David Rambin offer “Growing Food in a Greenhouse,” a Green Thumb Education Series presentation, from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the Port Angeles Library.