My new greenhouse has had a baptism of fire (or to be more accurate, wind!) with gales howling around the structure and rattling the panes. All is well as it's solidly constructed and now even has a few hyacinths growing happily in what is a perfect space to sit and ponder. Santa brought the electric greenhouse heater so the sparky is booked to run power from the house. I need two more weeks of warm weather then everything will be toasty in the greenhouse.
There will be plenty of time to grow in the next few weeks! And there's lots to be getting on with in and out of the greenhouse:
- Get in early and get the pick of the seed potato crop.
- If it’s dry and mild you can still tidy up ragged looking lawns with a light trim. Set blades high and whip over the top.
- A superb bedding plant grower told me the best baskets are started in February. Order up plug plants now for delivery in a few weeks and planting in your greenhouse.
- Check trees and shrubs are still secured to their stakes after all the gales of late. Check and tighten where necessary.
- Check fence panels haven’t been rattled too much by the wind. Replace in calmer weather.
Bring a bag of compost into the greenhouse or house (if allowed!) to warm up before using for seed sowing.
Don't let snowdrops sneak up on you and disappear – they are likely to be earlier this year so keep an eye out.