October's Greenhouse Tips
Owning, using, and enjoying your own greenhouse can be fun and relaxing - but there are still "Things To Do" to keep it clean, healthly, and usable. For each month of the year we have gathered useful greenhouse tips and information from our customers, employees and friends like you to help you get even more enjoyment from your greenhouse.
We've gathered these greenhouse tips from a variety of sources, much of it has been over the years and is not known. Please feel free to send us some of your own ideas.
SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Cooler weather is back and hopefully your greenhouse is prepped and ready to protect your tender plants again. Before each plant is to be brought into the greenhouse, prune it back about 1/3, check for and remove any insect pests and repot into a light, airy potting mix if the soil is crusty and worn. To over-winter flower bulbs: clean, dry and spread on screen trays. Keep at about 40ƒ. Water lily bulbs can also be over-wintered. Remove them from their soil, wash, and place in a clean zip-top bag filled half full with moist sand. Store at about 50 to 55f degrees.
When all plants are removed from your garden, plant a cover crop of nitrogen-enriching legume crops, such as clover, vetch or rye. Donít forget to compost your vegetable scraps and coffee grounds (they attract beneficial worms!) Add dried, ground eggshells to boost calcium. Leaves, straw and sawdust will raise the beneficial carbon.
To prepare tools now for winter storage, remove dirt and wash. Sand wood and metal parts with very fine sandpaper. Sharpen cutting or digging edges, oil metal parts and rub sanded wooden handles with linseed oil.
To keep beneficial birds coming to your yard now, put out wild birdseed mix and suet.
HERB THYMES
Rose hips, a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins A, B complex, C, E, K and pectin are available now on bushes that have not been deadheaded. The best roses from which to gather these are Rugosa, Sweet Briar, Dog Rose, Cherokee and Damask. The rose hips can be used in jellies, jams and bread recipes. To do this, wash and trim them, cover with water, place in a covered, non-reactive glass or stainless steel pan and simmer for about 20 minutes. Strain and add to your favorite recipes. Dried rose hips can also add tang to a cup of tea. Pour a cup of boiling water over tea and 2 t. dried rose hips. Let steep for several minutes and then strain. Sweeten as desired.
THE JUNIOR GARDENER
If your junior gardener has a pet bird or cat, let them start a pot of grass for their pet to enjoy. For a bird, get the smallest size new clay pot. Fill the pot with potting soil to within 1/2" of the pots top. Press down firmly and add a good sprinkling of grass seed. Cover with a thin layer of soil and keep moist. When the grass is an inch or more high, it can be set into the cage. For a cat (or perhaps a dog), use a short, wide clay pot. Fill the same way to 1/2" of the top, seed, moisten and set in a sunny window until grass is about 2" to 3" high. Using a saucer, place the pot in a spot convenient for the pet and near the light. The pets will be glad to have the treat.
GREENHOUSE SCHEDULE
You can help insulate your greenhouse by surrounding it with bales of hay or other outer foundation cover. For additional solar heating, place milk jugs filled with water, RV antifreeze and black dye around the inside perimeter of the greenhouse. Remember that a tightly sealed greenhouse is a disadvantage to the plants as they will not get the necessary carbon dioxide and air circulation to prevent condensation. Add a circulation fan and base vents if necessary.
ACCESSORY OF THE MONTH
If you do not have a cold frame, there is still time to get one for fall growing of winter salad greens or be ready to set out starts in the spring. We offer three different models and sizes to fit you needs The 8' Gable, 4' x 8' and The Deluxe, 6' x 8'. Check our catalog for details.
BOOKWORM CORNER
The Greenhouse Expert is a brief and concise review of structure and equipment, specific plants, greenhouse operation, plant problems, a greenhouse calendar and a plant index. Perfect!
Our Greenhousing "How-To" Resouce Guide
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