Lithuania spans 3 hardiness zones from 5b in the northeast to 7a in the coastal areas, offering a range of growing conditions across the country. This variety shapes the agricultural landscape and influences gardening practices throughout Lithuania.
These conditions present both opportunities and challenges for Lithuanian gardeners and farmers. Late spring frosts can damage early plantings, while summer droughts may affect crop yields in some years.
In this article, you will learn:
- Characteristics of Lithuania's Planting Regions
- Challenges of Growing in Lithuania
- The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse in Lithuania
- Why Planta Greenhouses?
Lithuania's climate is characterized by cold winters and mild summers. Winter temperatures can drop to -20°C in inland areas, while coastal regions experience milder conditions.
Summers are generally pleasant, with average temperatures between 16°C and 20°C, providing a good environment for outdoor gardening during the warmer months.
Image from Plant Maps
Characteristics of Lithuania's Planting Region
Lithuania's weather patterns create a unique agricultural setting:
- Continental climate with maritime influence in coastal areas
- Winter temperatures typically range from -15°C to -5°C, colder in the northeast
- Summers are mild, with average temperatures between 16°C to 20°C
- Occasional heat waves can push temperatures above 30°C
- Rainfall is distributed throughout the year, with slightly more in summer
The main growing season usually lasts from late April to early October, about 170 days in most regions.
These conditions present both opportunities and challenges for Lithuanian gardeners and farmers. Late spring frosts can damage early plantings, while summer droughts may affect crop yields in some years.
Challenges of Growing in Lithuania
Harsh Winters
Lithuania's long, cold winters can damage perennial plants and delay the start of the growing season, particularly in the northeastern regions where temperatures drop lowest.
Short Growing Season
With a growing season of about 170 days in most areas, gardeners must carefully plan their plantings to maximize productivity in the limited warm period.
Unpredictable Spring Weather
Late spring frosts are common in Lithuania, posing a risk to early plantings and fruit tree blossoms. This unpredictability can lead to crop losses and requires vigilant monitoring of weather conditions.
The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse in Lithuania
Greenhouses offer Lithuanian gardeners a way to overcome climate challenges and extend their growing possibilities. Let's explore how greenhouses can enhance gardening in Lithuania.
1. Extend Your Growing Season
- Without a greenhouse:
In Lithuania, outdoor growing is typically limited to the period from late April to early October, roughly 170 days. This short season restricts the types of crops that can be grown successfully outdoors
- With a greenhouse:
In many parts of Lithuania, a greenhouse can extend the growing season to 9-10 months. This controlled environment allows for earlier spring planting in March and continued harvests into November or even December for some crops.
2. Grow a Wider Variety of Plants
- Without a greenhouse:
Outdoor gardening in Lithuania is best suited to cold-hardy vegetables such as:
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- With a Greenhouse:
A greenhouse environment allows Lithuanian gardeners to successfully grow a much wider range of vegetables, including:
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Why Planta Greenhouses?
- Wind resistant up to 100 km/h (learn more about how our greenhouses hold up in high-altitude climates).
- Withstands a snow load of up to 480kg per square meter.
- Made with a heavy-duty galvanized steel frame.
- Polycarbonate panels provide 100% protection against UV rays.
- The Sungrow greenhouse is bell-shaped - allowing the wind, snow, and hail to slide off the sides.
- Extendable (Sungrow, Sigma, and Farmer models can be extended beyond 30 metres)
- Made in Europe and exclusively imported
- Maintenance-free
