Keeping greenhouses bright and also warm
Our gardens were the one constant that shone like a guiding light in the past year, and thankfully they’re still here at the beginning of 2021. So, let’s resolve to grasp the opportunities they offer and grow those delicious veggies, have a mini herb garden, plant the longpromised fruit bearers and sow for colour throughout the borders. If this column can offer any ideas or guidance along the way, then I’ll be happy!
A friend has clearly been thinking of the pleasure gleaned from his precious plot and of the additions he can make to enhance future experiences.
This is what we could all be doing, bearing in mind how our gardens came to the rescue in the year of need.
George is big on growing vegetables, show onions especially, and likes to have the seed saved from a large, well-shaped strain to hand early.
However, he’s in the same position as those of us who have an unheated or partially heated greenhouse. In the throes of winter, seedlings and young plants need modest warmth and good light conditions to encourage sturdy development.
Lining the greenhouse with an insulating material helps, but can reduce light intensity.
The addition of a mobile heat source; oil, gas, coal, is the route taken by many because it will create a reasonable growing environment.
Then there is electricity, which presents more options with controlled warmth and lights.
So, he’s determined to improve matters by creating a growing box with a soil-warming cable that provides the warmth to bring on his onions.
Once it’s up and running he will no doubt discover the potential for general propagation and greater enjoyment.
One luxury in my otherwise cold greenhouse is a one metre square propagating box. It is connected via an armoured underground cable running from the garage, and was installed by a qualified electrician.
It has become a necessary concession to cost over time, but repays a hundred-fold by way of raising our own plants, with the first seeds sown in February.
A combination of overnight fleece blanket covering and early afternoon closing of greenhouse vents, helps us perform a balancing act that sees fledgling plants on their way.