Make the most of your greenhouse
GARDENING expert, author and broadcaster Matthew Biggs offers some tips on what to do in the greenhouse to ensure you’re ready for winter. ■ SOW WHILE IT’S WARM
SOW trays, pots or old growing bags in your greenhouse with ‘cut and come again’ crops such as cress, oriental salad leaves, or classic lettuce, which you can harvest throughout autumn and into winter.
■ GROW OUT-OF-SEASON FLOWERS
PROVIDING extra warmth means plants which are normally dormant can be ‘woken early’ and will look their best several months ahead of
those grown naturally outdoors.
Some, such as hyacinths, are often available as ‘prepared’ bulbs, which means they have been treated to simulate an artificial winter and will therefore spring into growth as soon as planted.
If you have grown summer food crops, a good autumn and winter use for the vacant space is to raise cut flowers. Freesias can be grown for display or cutting and flower naturally in late winter and thrive in a cool greenhouse. ■ CLEAR UP
AIM to clean the inside and outside of your greenhouse on a warm, dry day. Clean windows, paying attention to the individual frames.
Remove moss from overlapping panes with an old kitchen knife or plant label. Use a cleaning product which is suited to your greenhouse’s glazing system. ■ CHECK GUTTERING
CHECK gutters are clear of leaves and clean down pipes. Flush debris away with a hosepipe or watering can.
Clean the floor and disinfect benches, shelves and equipment.
■ GET READY FOR WINTER
CHECK the heater is working.
If you do choose to insulate the greenhouse with bubble wrap, it is important to maintain a balance between the amount of light, heat conservation and ventilation.
Full insulation reduces the amount of light coming into the greenhouse and increases humidity, which can cause disease problems. To minimise this, be sure to remember to cut holes for the ventilators.
■ For more information visit Hartley Botanic (hartley-botanic. co.uk) to read Matthew Biggs’ Greenhouse Growing Month by Month guide, updated with tips and ideas