Greenhouse Care

Greenhouse Care

Greenhouse Care

Traditionally the autumn is a great time to tidy up and clean out the greenhouse. Time spent now will save you hours of work in the spring. It will also clear space to allow you to continue sowing and growing a few plants and crops over the winter and taking cuttings.

[] As the temperature starts to drop you need to start to think about heating your greenhouse if you plan to overwinter tender or hothouse flowers. Choose a thermostat-controlled heater that can be set to activate when the temperature drops to a particular level.

[] Bring all half hardy and tender plants into the greenhouse before the night time temperature drops too low.

[] Ensure the greenhouse is well ventilated on warm sunny days, by opening the top vents for 2-3 hours a day.

[] Cordon off a small area of the greenhouse to create a protected area where cold sensitive plants can be over wintered. A tent of bubble wrap with extra layers of horticultural fleece at the ready can make all the difference.

[] Dry off fuchsia and pelargonium plants as well as dahlia tubers and overwinter beneath the greenhouse staging.

[] Dry off begonia, dahlia, lily, Canna and gloxinia bulbs and tubers and store somewhere dry and frost-free.

[] Sow broad beans, peas and sweet peas into deep modules of seed compost during October to give them a head start next year.

[] Sow spring lettuce varieties under cloches or in a cold greenhouse; keep well ventilated, especially on warmer days.

[] Keep a close eye on seedlings, plants and cuttings and remove any mouldy leaves or disease-ridden plants.

[] Pots of bulbs can be planted in pots and forced into growth in the greenhouse to create earlier displays and also flowers for cutting over the winter months. Choose tulips, hyacinths, crocus and other spring flowering delights.

[] Take semi-ripe cuttings from shrubs and roses. Choose stems that have started to ripen but are not woody and tough. Good plants to propagate at this time include Hebes, Rosemary, Weigela, Hydrangea, Pieris, Buddleia and Pyracantha. You can take heel cuttings by pulling short side shoots away from the main stem with a heel of bark still attached. Trim off any excess bark, pinch out the growing tip and remove the basal leaves. Push individual cuttings into a gritty cuttings compost. Alternatively take tip cuttings by choosing healthy shoots and removing the top 15cm (6inches) of growth. Pinch out the growing tip and trim the base of the cutting immediately below a leaf joint, to leave a cutting that is about 5-8cm (2-3inches) long. Remove the bottom leaves and push the bottom of the stem into a pot containing a gritty cuttings compost. Cover with a plastic bag tied around the pot and place into a cold frame.

[] Take stem cuttings of climbers such as Ornamental vines, Summer Jasmine, climbing Hydrangea and Kiwi (Actinidia). Root them in pots a gritty cuttings compost and place them in a sheltered cold frame.

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