Greenhouse Gardeners Preparing For The Spring Season

Spring weather has given us below normal temperatures, but greenhouse gardeners still keep on schedule. I just planted my wintered over plants and cuttings into their hanging baskets. I used the Sunshine #4 mix. The baskets then received their first feeding of 10-52-17 for the roots to get established.  Once there is active growth I only feed with 20-20-20 on a very regular basis till the end of the season.  I believe that 20-20-20 is a balanced product which gives nutrients to the roots, foliage and flowers.Visiting the local nursery, I was disappointed that they no longer carried this product.  Not giving up I went to Home Depot and found my 20-20-20 and saw on the web it was also available at Walmart.  My feeding schedule will now continue and my plants will have the nutrients they require.

 

In the greenhouse I always enjoy giving plants a head start in the growing season. My peas are now planted in peat pellets.  In April when the ground is warmer the pea pellets will be planted along the garden trellis.

The dahlia tubers were taken out of winter storage and planted into gallon pots.  I have had great success by starting them in the greenhouse and by the time they are ready for garden planting, the foliage is 8-10 inches high.

The greenhouse environment is very controlled this time of year.  On sunny days the greenhouse vents automatically open for ventilation.  The heater is set for a night temperature of 40-45 F (5-7C) and a circulating fan is set at low for continuous air movement.

Begonia Hanging Baskets

Yes, it is March and still lots of winter weather, but as a gardener I can plan and dream about my summer garden.

Pendular begonias in hanging baskets are the feature on my summer patio.  These tuberous begonias will bloom from June to October.  After first frost,  I lift the tubers clean and dry them and then they are stored in a cool area, the garage.

This week I planted my begonias into their hanging baskets. These tubers are over ten years old and that is why they are so large.  Every few years, I break off a piece and a new plant is created.  The smaller upright begonias go into smaller pots and then in May transplanted into permanent containers.

I use a moist Sunshine Mix #4 which is a sterilized soil of peat and perlite.  The basket is not filled to the top and the tubers are pressed in firmly with the growing pink or green tips up.  It is important to keep the growing mix moist, not wet.

Begonias require bottom heat to encourage growth and the stems will sprout.  In the greenhouse they are placed on a propagation bed with a heated soil cable.  A few hours of supplementary light with grow lights in the greenhouse will give these plants a head start.

My cool greenhouse has a night temperature of 45 F degrees (5-7 degrees C).  In the greenhouse it is very important to keep the circulating fan on to provide necessary air circulation to prevent mildew on the begonia leaves.

Starting my begonias always makes me feel like spring is just around the corner.

How To Save Greenhouse Heating Costs

The question arises so what temperature should the greenhouse be?  The answer is dependent on what plant varieties are in the greenhouse during the colder months. For example; tropical plants and many varieties of orchids require a warm constant temperature because they are actively growing plants.  Rooted cuttings, wintering-over plants and starting seedlings in a heated propagating bed, the night temperature of the heater is set at 5˚-7˚C (40˚-45˚F). During the day the inside greenhouse temperature always rises a few degrees especially when the sun shines on a cold day.

Operating a cool or frost-free greenhouse will decrease the greenhouse heating costs.  Here are a few tips to control the winter greenhouse environment.

   1.   A daily reading on the maximum-minimum thermometer will show if      the heater     thermostat requires adjustment.

  2.    A small circulating fan will maintain continuous air movement and equalize the temperature and distribute air evenly in the greenhouse.

Starting seedlings requires a minimum heat of 20˚C (70˚F) to germinate, so first thing that comes to mind is the greenhouse heating bill. A cost saving solution is having a heated propagation area.  I use a soil cable propagating box.  The box is filled with two inches of sand and the soil cable is laid in looped form.  Then it is covered with another layer of sand and the seed flats are placed on top. The heat travels through the sand and provides an even bottom heat for the flats or trays. Soil cables have a built-in thermostat that will activate as the sand or soil temperature drops. Heated seedling mats are also available.

Greenhouse gardening is exciting but sometimes things just happen beyond your control.  Yesterday I looked out my kitchen window and noticed that the greenhouse glass had condensation.  The circulating fan had stopped working.  Constant circulation of air is what reduces condensation.

This is my greenhouse in the Fall season.  This greenhouse

is designed and built by B.C. Greenhouses.  They have a wide selection of greenhouses.  www.bcgreenhouses.com