Everything is slowing down now.

Has anybody else noticed that now the clocks have gone back, the weather has really gone damp and chilly and evrything in the garden has slowed down. Soon be completely dormant in the garden.

I have been pretty busy getting a few jobs finished off. Got all my tender plants under fleece. Finished scrubbing out the greenhouse and am going to be sealing up the joins so I can put a small parafin heater in thier just to keep the worst of the frost off it.

Lost count of how many bulbs I have planted. Lots of Violas in baskets and troughs, already in flower. Got broad beans, onions, carrots, lettuce, peas, garlic, spring onions all doing well in the tunnel.

Now the cold and damp are here, I really feel it. All my metal bits ache like hell. The first few weeks of cold and damp every year I can really feel them. After such a good long hot summer, I am really feeling it this year.

The brighter side of things is that I can now get on and do some of the things I want ready for the spring. I have some new heavy gates for the front of the house. A big clump of Hazel needs to be taken down. I want to build a walkway between the new decking and the slab path. I am putting up some racking at the side of the tunnel. One or two other jobs to get done as well.

I will also be servicing all my tools over the winter, ready for when they are needed in the spring. Oil and filter change for the mower, clean and sharpen all my cutting tools. Hone all the blades. Might not be much in the way of growth in the garden but still plenty to keep us all busy.

Anybody else got plans for repairs or projects for the winter months?

Chopper.

 

" evrything in the garden has slowed down"

My Cannas, growing under lights in my office, haven't slowed down - now 97cm tall :(

" so I can put a small parafin heater in"

If you don't already own it can I suggest a Calor gas [greenhouse] heater instead? it will generate somewhat less condensation

"projects for the winter months?"

I want to work out some plant combinations that work well. Then look around for those plants and propagate / grown on over the nest year or two to have abundant stock to plant up the new borders in a couple of years time. I'm bought a pile of books to assist with this project. Got to toss a coin to see whether I give them to myself for Xmas, or the DW :thumb:

 

Hi Chopper. I see you say you are going to be sealing up the joins in the greenhouse to put a parafin heater in there.
Have you used one before ?
They produce a terrible amount of condensation and good ventilation is required if you don't want the place running with water and all the greenhouse problems that come with that level of damp. Thinking Botrytis here. When I had one I found as much heat was lost in ventilation as generated.

I see Kristen recommends a Calor Gas heater. I've never used one so can't comment.

An electric fan heater will give heat without generating condensation and help with air circulation too, but might be more expensive to run.

I think it is only worth heating a greenhouse in winter if you have it packed to the gunnels. But you can get a head start in spring by heating it for the first month til the warmer weather kicks in.

I hope all your creaky bits are feeling better and the winter is kind to you.

 

"I see Kristen recommends a Calor Gas heater. I've never used one so can't comment."

Electric would be better, as you say - the main problem with them is getting electricity, safely (and without spending both-arms and both-legs!), to the greenhouse

I think Calor Gas is next - but that will generate condensation ...

... and, for me, paraffin is last as generating the most condensation (and not being thermostatically controlled, so either too warm or dangerously cold)

 

Having taken the old windows out of my sisters place, i've used them to put over the brick cold frames & put strawberies,parsley,mint & the newly potted up asparagus in.

Taken a chance & sowed corriander, cabbage & rocket in there too.

It do stay warm in there during the day & the bricks hold a little heat over night

 

Thanks for the advice Kristen and Alice. Not made a definate choice yet about heating, I am considering all the options. Once I have made definate plans about what I am going to be propagating from seed I will decide on how to heat it.

I do have power in the greenhouse and have been given an electric propagater. I am also planning to use my old snake tank and a heat mat, but set it up in the greenhouse.

I am going to be busy!!

Chopper.

 

I got a little gas greenhouse heater off eBay. Worth having a look in case something comes up nearby perhaps? Freecycle too.

Sorry, numpty & obvious advice - I'll sit down and shut up now :thumb: