Medwyn Williams talks heating systems!
A heating system in good working order is essential to get ahead this time of year
We have had a fair bit of frost on the island here this year, particularly during mid to late January, when the temperatures dipped below freezing on a few days. This naturally puts pressure on any heating system, whatever it might be, be it gas, electricity or oil, as in my case. What you must have, however, is a heating system that’s powerful enough to maintain the greenhouse temperature where you want it to be. In my case I try and maintain a temperature of 15C (59F) in my big greenhouse.
When you consider that all you have between the plants and the outdoors are thin panes of glass, it’s a big ask when the temperatures outside fall below freezing.
The heater is, therefore, rarely off and struggling to maintain that temperature so a maximum/ minimum thermometer is essential. Heating is certainly not cheap but thankfully this year, because of the various lockdowns, central heating oil has been cheaper than normal.
I’ll be sowing tomatoes as soon as I can this week. I usually try and get them sown as early as possible in March to have a good selection of fruits to select from for the flower shows from mid-August onwards. The most popular classes for tomatoes at most summer shows are for the medium type which should be approximately 6cm (2¼in) in diameter. The next classification is for small-fruited cultivars; these shouldn’t exceed 3.5cm (1¼in) in diameter. You also have classes for small and large plum varieties.
Sadly ‘Zenith’ is no longer available, but I’d recommend the new ‘Maisey’ F1, named after Charles Maisey, who was a consistent winner with tomatoes for many years. This is a very round tomato with lovely calyx and has already won at many shows. For the small-fruited type I’ll be sowing ‘Goldwin’, bright yellow fruits on strong plants with a lovely wide calyx. For the small plum I would grow ‘Riesling’ F1, a recent introduction by myself with masses of tasty, shapely uniform fruit to select from.
■ Why not follow me on Twitter throughout the season as I grow vegetables for my show displays – @medwynsofangles.