A lot of people have been moving house in the past year, and I wonder how many gardeners have discovered a greenhouse in the undergrowth. However small this glass space (I once inherited a dinky 6x4ft/1.8x1.2m structure), be sure to make the best use of it. These are not embarrassments to tuck away with the shed and compost heap, but useful and vibrant spaces.
If you are planning to add a greenhouse, arrange the base so the door faces welcomingly into the garden and use it not just for crops but also to extend the range of plants you can grow. If well-used, greenhouses quickly become the nucleus of a plot, where plants and gardeners alike can shelter from extremes of rain, wind and cold.
Just like the garden beyond, a greenhouse offers many different microclimates of temperature, light and shade. The best are equipped with soil beds, enabling tender shrubs and climbers such as Plumbago auriculata and cruel plant (Araujia sericifera) to grow in well-cultivated soil.
Providing shade
With an increased root run they reach their full potential and flower abundantly. A run of staging will create raised areas for working, standing trays of seedlings and displaying plants, while shade beneath is perfect for ferns and cuttings that might cook or wilt in harsh sun.
By high summer, winter residents such as bird of paradise, oleander, olive and citrus will be standing outdoors, making space for tender crops such as peppers, aubergines and physalis. In mild, wet western areas of the country glass cover and a drier atmosphere will protect tomatoes from blight. Bulbs that die back for summer, including those of Guernsey lily (Nerine sarniensis) and cyclamen tubers, can rest safely in a mainly dry and dormant state.
Denne historien er fra July 03, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra July 03, 2021-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters