As we head into autumn and the weather takes a turn for the chilly, life in the greenhouse shows no sign of slowing down! Despite bidding farewell to peak growing season, there is still plenty to be done, from cleaning and organising, to sowing and growing! Here, Daniel Carruthers, Director of Sales at premium greenhouse manufacturer, Cultivar Greenhouses, shares the top five tasks to undertake this autumn.
Deep clean
The start of autumn is the perfect time to give your greenhouse a deep clean, so start by clearing out your tools, and pots, removing any seasonal plants that are past their best and adding them to your compost heap. Sweep the floors and benches and thoroughly clean with warm, soapy water and disinfectant protecting your surfaces from disease and pests, not forgetting your tools too! Cleaning the exterior of your greenhouse is just as important as the inside, so start by checking the gutters and remove any leaves that may have become clogged. This will help avoid blockages and ensure water flows freely to the drains. Give the glass a good clean too, as this will allow maximum sunlight to reach your plants and crops in the darker days that lie ahead.
Get organised
After the greenhouse has had a good clean, it’s now time to get organised. Sort and stack empty pots, and ensure all of your plant labels are neatly stored away for next season. If you don’t plan on using all your shelves during autumn, these can be collapsed down to make more floor space for storing items such as tools and pots. Split your greenhouse into zones for maximum organisation, having separate areas for potting materials, tools, storage and plants, giving consideration for the growing conditions your plants prefer. If you’re planning on heating your greenhouse during the cooler months, you will need to allocate enough space for a heater, allowing for maximum air flow.
Plan, plan, plan!
Now that your greenhouse is neat and tidy, it’s time to plan what to grow next! Reviewing what went well this spring and summer will help you make an informed decision about the plants and crops you want to grow this season and into next spring. Make a calendar of when your chosen plants need sowing, potting on, and planting up, as well as where you plan to put them, to help keep you in check. Don’t forget to consider the requirements of each plant, such as soil type and sunlight, to ensure your crops thrive.
Sow some seeds
As one planting season ends, another one begins! While spring may be peak growing season, there are still plenty of things you can plant in autumn that will germinate in the colder months and prepare for spring flowering. Once you have decided what you are going to plant, it’s time to get sowing. Prepare your pots and trays with loose, aerated soil making sure there is plenty of drainage. For crops that will grow in autumn choose hardy lettuces such as rocket, pak choi and spinach. Herbs such as chives, parsley and mint will also continue to grow throughout winter. Potatoes are also the perfect winter staple to add to your plant list either in grow bags or even in a bucket. You can’t beat homegrown roast potatoes on your Christmas Day lunch!
Protect your plants
As well as sowing new seeds, it’s also time to protect any plants that might not survive the cold winter conditions. Most tropical plants and annuals which continue to grow throughout the winter will struggle if kept outdoors and some tender bulbs require overwintering, so bring these into the safety of your greenhouse around October time, before the first of the frost. Typically, the inside of a greenhouse is at least 4° warmer than the outside temperature which will provide the protection plants need from harsh frosts!
For more greenhouse gardening advice and information about Cultivar Greenhouses visit the website here.
