The greenhouse in late winter

Ruth is gearing up for an influx of new plants

- Ruth Hayes

I’M gearing up to get our unheated greenhouse ready for the seedlings, cuttings and tender plants that need hardening off before they are planted in the soil once the frosts have passed us by.

The prep involves clearing the greenhouse of pests and making sure surfaces are clean to reduce the risk of diseases attacking delicate new growth.

Organic fumigation candles are invaluable at this time of year as they cleanse your greenhouse while the plants stay inside.

It also involved easing my concerns over an overwintered dahlia that was starting to look rather sad.

I’d slid it under the work surface and its stems had started to develop mould, probably caused by a lack of air.