Belgium is home to 3 distinct hardiness zones, ranging from zone 9a along the coast to zone 7a further inland, reflecting its mild maritime climate and moderate temperature shifts.
These varying conditions pose unique challenges for Belgian farmers, impacting their crop growth and productivity.
In this article, you will learn:
- Characteristics of Belgium’s Planting Regions
- Challenges of Growing in Belgium
- The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse in Belgium
- Why Planta Greenhouses?
Belgium experiences a temperate climate characterized by moderate temperatures throughout the year. In winter, temperatures typically range from 0°C to 5°C. Summers are relatively mild, with temperatures averaging 18°C to 22°C, although heatwaves can occasionally push temperatures into the mid-30s°C.
Understanding these temperature ranges is crucial for optimizing crop cultivation in Belgium.
Image from Plant Maps
Characteristics of Belgium’s Planting Region
Belgium's weather patterns have distinct characteristics that influence agricultural practices:
- Mild maritime climate with moderate temperatures.
- Winter temperatures typically range from 0°C to 5°C.
- Summers are mild, averaging between 18°C to 22°C.
- Occasional heatwaves in summer can push temperatures into the mid-30s°C.
- Variable precipitation throughout the year, often evenly distributed.
These weather patterns present challenges, such as unpredictable frosts in winter and the occasional heatwaves in summer, which can affect crop growth and yield.
The growing season in Belgium typically spans from April to September. However, it can be shorter in inland areas where frost risks linger into early spring and return earlier in autumn.
Challenges of Growing in Belgium
Variable Maritime Climate
Belgium's maritime climate introduces unpredictable weather patterns marked by sudden temperature fluctuations and varying precipitation levels.
Frost Vulnerability
Certain regions of Belgium, especially those at higher elevations, face significant risks from late spring and early autumn frosts, endangering crops during crucial growth stages.
Limited Growing Season
Belgium's agricultural regions, influenced by varied topography, often experience a shorter growing season, particularly in hilly areas. This limitation restricts the range of crops that can be effectively cultivated and harvested.
Topographical Obstacles
The diverse and often rugged terrain in Belgium presents logistical challenges for farming, with limited suitable space for growing crops and difficulties in ensuring proper irrigation.
The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse in Belgium
Using a greenhouse in Belgium provides gardeners with a versatile tool to overcome the challenges posed by the country's variable climate.
By creating a controlled environment, greenhouses extend the growing season, protect crops from adverse weather conditions, and enhance overall agricultural productivity and reliability throughout the year.
1. Extend your growing season
- Without a greenhouse:
- With a greenhouse:
2. Grow a Wider Variety of Vegetables
- Without a greenhouse:
Belgium's varied climate encourages choosing cool-season vegetables for outdoor gardens to mitigate the risk of early frosts damaging crops. Some suitable options include:
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- With a Greenhouse:
Using a greenhouse in Belgium opens up opportunities for a more comprehensive selection of vegetables grown year-round. Here are examples of vegetables that thrive inside Belgian greenhouses:
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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
