Ready for autumn!
Harvesting
Smaller but still fine. The autumn harvest is also worth your attention. After all, a gardener who sows smartly can still reap the benefits of his or her hard work in the previous spring. And we mean that literally too! Consider basil, or hot and sweet peppers. They can still do well in September. And with a little luck, you will still have a tomato or aubergine coming on here and there
Tidying up and cleaning
October begins. The temperature drops and you can expect the first night frost. The subtropical plants in your greenhouse decline through the cold and don't ripen anymore. So, your harvest comes to an end.
This is the time to give your greenhouse a good cleaning First of all, you clear up the annual plants, so that you can start with a clean slate in spring.
And, talking about clean slate... How do the windows look? Are they a little murky? Leaves and particles of dirt can adhere to your windows. And algae feel in their element and thrive in a warm and humid greenhouse climate. All the associated contamination build-up hinders penetration of natural light, which is already less strong in autumn. So, an annual cleaning is not an unnecessary luxury.
You don't need a soap or detergent solution. Just use a bucket of water with a splash of vinegar to wet the glass thoroughly. Once the water has absorbed the dirt, you can easily wipe it off with a soft brush. Clear the water droplets with a squeegee and you're done!
Tip! While you're using a ladder already, take the opportunity to clear your drainage and condensation gutters as well.
Insulating
Do you want to house your frost-sensitive potted plants in your greenhouse during winter? That's a great idea. A temperature between 1 and 5°C is ideal for your overwintering green plants.
What if you expect night frosts? Packing your conservatory with bubble wrap makes a few degrees difference. What if it gets really cold? You can keep your plants warm with an electric or gas heater. This will allow you to leave them in their dormant stage with confidence.
TIP! Your automatic window opener cylinders don't like the cold either. Unscrew them and take them indoors as soon as freezing temperatures begin to dominate the climate in your greenhouse.
Sowing
At last! Your greenhouse is clean and insulated. And you probably need a little rest? But your greenhouse doesn't! It is all ready for new planting. The falling temperature is not a reason to leave your greenhouse soil fallow. On the contrary.
Those who like to have some crispy rocket leaves with their pasta or enjoy a wintry salad all from their own garden, can begin growing hardy autumn crops in October. These include crops such as lettuce, winter purslane, broad-leaved endives, lamb's lettuce or winter spinach.
What if you aren't such a leafy vegetable lover? Why not give your soil a boost with a green fertilizer? Mulching with organic material promotes increased soil fertility. Green manures such as buckwheat, rye, grasses or yellow mustard protect your soil from the whims of mother nature and fix useful nutrients in it.
You can sow them up to September, and then turn over the soil again in January.
Watering
Plants need water all year round. Yet most people systematically 'under water', especially in winter. So, it is important to be present with your watering can in the autumn too. The rule of thumb for the period from September to October is two watering cans per square meter per week. We promise sufficient watering will keep your plants healthy.
So, now you're ready!
Now you know:
- What you can harvest and sow in autumn;
- How to optimally protect your soil;
- How to keep your greenhouse in top condition.
Euro-Serre wishes you good luck using the tips, and lots of gardening pleasure in the autumn!
