December'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
If you haven't already done so, now would be a good time to bring into the greenhouse all your half-hardy plants including tropicals, container gardens, bonsai, water lilies and citrus. If you have dug your tender bulbs, they also may be stored in the greenhouse, in containers of sawdust or vermiculite. Now is a good time to sharpen and sterilize your pruners, as dull pruners can cause unnecessary cell damage and disease can be carried from plant to plant by unsterilized tools.

GREENHOUSE CROPS
Mache (pronounced mosh), is a favorite salad green in Europe, with its velvety texture and nutty flavor. It thrives in cool weather, making it a perfect greenhouse plant. Start from seed in fall or spring in a location where it will get at least a half day of sunlight. Plant seeds 1/2" deep and about 1" apart. Thin to 4". Keep moist but not wet. It blends well with other salad greens, and as a bed for main dishes.

HERB THYMES
For a delightful variation in your holiday baking, try 1 to 2 tablespoons of lavender with the sugar called for in shortbreads or sugar cookies. For cake batters or custards steep 2 tablespoons lavender florets in warm milk for one hour. Then use as directed. Enjoy!

GREENHOUSE TASKS FOR DECEMBER
Keep the temperature between 42-45f at night and 55-60f daytime. If possible, open the greenhouse on drier days to ventilate. Use circulation fans to reduce condensation, but be careful of drafts and temperature drops. Water only as needed during mid-morning. Insulate greenhouse if needed. If parafin heaters are used, keep wicks trimmed to prevent fumes toxic to plants.

GREENHOUSE ACCESSORY OF THE MONTH
Seedling Mats are perfect for starting seeds early, as the soil needs to be warm in order for sprouting to occur. Our seedling mats raise rooting area temperature 10-20f over ambient temperature. Helpful hints are printed right on the mats. Sizes available in 10"x 20", 18"x 20", and 48" x 18".