15:16 - 10 December 2010
Snow is a great insulator, but when the greenhouse is covered in snow and the glass thick with ice, the greenhouse gardener has a dilemma. Is it safe to open the door and check on the plants or is it better to keep what little heat is in there inside?
Restrict your greenhouse gardening to essential tasks to minimise the heat loss from your glasshouse. When you do have to venture inside choose daylight hours before the sun has warmed the glass, that way you won’t lose too much heat and there is still time for solar energy to raise the internal temperature. If you don’t need to venture outside then don’t. Snow and ice can be a danger in the garden, especially on paths and decking. Use this time to plan your greenhouse crops for next year and if you are thinking of buying a new greenhouse then December is a great time to do the planning. Add the glasshouse to your Christmas wish list and drop heavy hints to loved ones. Make sure you tell them exactly what sort of greenhouse you want and then direct them to the Growhouse website at http://www.growhouse-greenhouses.co.uk.
Check your garden and greenhouse tools and ensure you have what you need for the season ahead. Make sure your greenhouse benches are sufficient for your needs and if not then visit the Growhouse website and order what you need before the season starts.
Install and check a max-min thermometer so you really can keep track of the temperature. Some can be operated remotely by having a digital probe inside the glasshouse with the thermometer in the house so you can check on the temperature without opening the doors. Many of these have a frost or cold alert that will sound when the temperature plummets.
Keep a close check on greenhouse heaters and ensure they remain in operation and away from flammable materials.
Finish the greenhouse tidy up and clean every surface, pot and tool carefully with an appropriate greenhouse cleaner.
Sort out labels, pots, modules and sowing accessories so that you are ready and able to start sowing as soon as the weather allows.
Order seeds for spring sowing and keep in a cool dry place until conditions improve.
Check on overwintering plants; remove all dead leaves to reduce fungal problems and water very, very sparingly as required.
In sunny spells ventilate in the morning and be sure to close the greenhouse up securely before dusk.
Bring inside pots of bulbs for spring flowering to force them into an earlier season.
Ensure that insulation methods don’t starve your plants of light.
Check under fleece and bubble wrap to ensure your plants remain healthy. Remove any that have died and remove any dead leaves to prevent fungal damage.
Keep a watch out for slugs and snails that may take advantage of the protected environment and use your preferred control method.
Watch for tell tale signs of mice and rodent damage and if present install humane traps (check regularly) or an ultrasonic deterrent.
If the greenhouse has automatic vents then check it after a warm spell in case garden birds have become trapped inside.
If thick snow falls keep a watch on the greenhouse and sweep away thick layers if they are going to lie there for days. A covering of snow will insulate the greenhouse but will also weigh heavily on the glass. Assess the situation and if it is safe to do so, sweep off the excess snow taking care not to slip or to damage the greenhouse.
