Ireland's climate is characterized by a narrow range of hardiness zones, primarily spanning zones 8b to 9b. This relatively mild climate, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, creates a unique environment for gardeners and farmers across the Emerald Isle.
Incorporating a greenhouse into your Irish garden can significantly enhance your growing possibilities. It allows for an extended cultivation season and allows you to grow less hardy plant varieties.
In this article, you will learn:
- Characteristics of Ireland Planting Regions
- Challenges of Growing in Ireland
- The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse in Ireland
- Why Planta Greenhouses?
Ireland's climate is remarkably consistent, with average annual minimum temperatures ranging from -6.7°C in zone 8b to -3.9°C in zone 9b.
Grasping the nuances of these zones is key to optimizing your Irish garden. It helps you select appropriate plants and adapt growing techniques to local conditions, ensuring a productive garden anywhere in Ireland.
Characteristics of Ireland’s Planting Region
Ireland's maritime climate creates a unique growing environment, characterized by:
- Mild winters with rare occurrences of severe frost
- Cool summers with average temperatures around 15-20°C
- Frequent rainfall throughout the year, averaging 800-1200mm annually
- Strong winds, particularly along coastal areas
- Changeable weather patterns, often varying day-to-day
- Long summer days with up to 18 hours of daylight in June
The primary growing season in Ireland typically extends from March to October, with peak growth occurring between May and September. During this period, temperatures are generally mild, and daylight hours are sufficient for most plant growth.
Challenges of Growing in Ireland
Excess Moisture and Limited Sunlight
Coping with Ireland's high rainfall (1000mm annually) and frequently overcast skies requires careful plant selection and strategies to improve drainage and maximize light exposure.
Unpredictable Weather Patterns
The changeable nature of Irish weather, with sudden shifts between sun, rain, and wind, necessitates flexible gardening approaches and protective measures for sensitive plants.
Cool Growing Season
Despite mild winters, Ireland's cool summers (average July temperature of 15-17°C) can slow plant growth and limit options for heat-loving crops.
The Benefits of Using a Greenhouse in Ireland
Employing a greenhouse in Ireland offers substantial benefits, particularly given the country's damp climate and limited sunshine.
Greenhouses provide crucial protection against Ireland's unpredictable weather, extending the growing season and cultivating a wider variety of plants than possible in open Irish gardens.
1. Extend your growing season
- Without a greenhouse:
The outdoor growing season in Ireland typically spans 7 to 8 months, from March through October. However, cool temperatures and limited sunlight can restrict the growth of many warm-season vegetables.
- With a greenhouse:
Greenhouses in Ireland can extend the growing season significantly, often allowing cultivation from February through November or year-round with minimal supplemental heating.
This controlled environment shields plants from excess moisture and cool temperatures, enabling robust growth beyond the standard outdoor season.
2. Grow a Wider Variety of Plants
- Without a Greenhouse:
Given Ireland's cool, damp climate, outdoor gardens are typically suited to moisture-tolerant and cool-season crops. Some suitable options include:
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- With a Greenhouse
A greenhouse in Ireland dramatically expands your planting options, allowing you to cultivate warmth-loving and moisture-sensitive crops. Here are examples of plants you can successfully grow in an Irish greenhouse:
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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
