Seven endeavors to develop a winter-proof greenhouse
Transform Your Winter Doldrums into a Vibrant Haven with These Greenhouse Projects!
If you're fed up with the gloom of winter, why not make your greenhouse a cozy and productive retreat? Here are seven enticing projects, perfect for sprucing up your greenhouse and keeping those winter blues at bay.
- Create an Evergreen Pot
Add some life and color to your greenhouse with cyclamen, a charming flowering plant that thrives in cooler conditions. Pair them with hardy ferns, like Polystichum polyblepharum, and dwarf early-spring bulbs for an enchanting display.
- Tidy Up Your Pelargoniums
Pelargoniums can be kept in mild greenhouses, but they may require extra protection on chilly nights. Insulate them with a layer of fleece or offer a bit of heat to keep frosty temperatures at bay. Ensure proper watering and occasional tidying to maintain their health.
- Enjoy Winter Salads
Bring hardy salads like lettuce, mizuna, rocket, cress, and pak choi inside your greenhouse and delight in fresh pickings well into spring. Simply plant them in deep containers or trays for healthy growth.
- Grow Citrus Plants
Lemons, in particular, are tough plants that can withstand freezing temperatures in a greenhouse. However, they tend to stop growing and won't produce fruit below 10°C. Reduce feeding and water carefully during low temperatures to keep your citrus plants happy.
- Design a Sempervivum Pot
Houseleeks, or sempervivum, are hardy succulents that will thrive in cool conditions with good airflow. Simply plant them in a shallow bowl filled with gritty compost and shingle, then move them outdoors during warmer months.
- Harvest Fresh Herbs
Grow aromatic herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, bay, marjoram, and mint in your greenhouse for year-round pickings. Many herbs also appreciate moderate warmth and good air circulation.
- Jumpstart Broad Beans
Broad beans can be sown during winter for an early spring harvest. Plant them indoors in pots, trays, or modules from December to February, then gradually harden them off before planting out in spring.
Additionally, consider temperature management, lighting, humidity control and ventilation when planning your winter greenhouse routine. Clean the greenhouse regularly, prevent pests, and adjust irrigation schedules to keep plants healthy and thriving through the darker months. Happy greening!
- To bring more life and color to your home-and-garden, try creating an evergreen pot filled with cyclamen, hardy ferns, and dwarf early-spring bulbs in your greenhouse.
- For those interested in gardening, maintaining pelargoniums in a greenhouse during winter can be achieved by insulating them with a layer of fleece or offering a bit of heat to keep the temperatures from getting too frosty.
