Matt W · 19th Jan 2016
We're all tempted to grow the extremes, the biggest or most flavourful and with chilli peppers, the hottest. But do think it through, there's little point in putting a lot of effort into growing a pepper that is so hot you can't actually use it. A milder variety means you can add flavour as well as heat to a dish where even one of the super-hot chillies can be too hot to taste and just makes the dish hot.
Matt · 16th Dec 2015
Greenhouses provide a warm, safe environment for gardeners to grow their precious plants and tender seedlings, but they are not always very environmentally friendly. But don?t worry because there are lots of ways you can make your greenhouse greener.
Matt · 11th Dec 2015
At one time ring culture was a popular greenhouse growing method for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and melons. The idea was that water was supplied to the plants through a trench filled with aggregate and the plants were fed via the compost held in bottomless pots placed onto the aggregate.
At the end of the season the plants and the small amount of compost would be recycled into the garden and the aggregate removed and cleaned. This was less work than digging out and replacing border soil each year but still fairly time consuming.
Matt · 30th Nov 2015
It's pretty obvious that the larger the greenhouse, the higher the cost of heating it but it is possible to curtain off a section of the house in the winter with bubble-wrap and reduce the volume that has to be heated.
Matt · 24th Nov 2015
Unless your garden is exceptionally small, or it?s a no-man?s land you rarely visit, there?s probably a good reason to have a garden shed somewhere on your property. You might use the shed to store a lawnmower or gardening tools, to grow or pot plants away from the elements, to house recreational items like footballs, bikes, or sleds, as a playhouse for the children, or even as a calm spot where you can escape from the family for a few minutes. You may only want a small structure with one room and a single door for access, or you may find that something fancier with windows, a shingled roof and even electrical power better meets your needs.
Matt · 11th Nov 2015
There are many complexities of greenhouse gardening that confuse people today. However, many of the rules and regulations that cause the most confusion are ones you can simply forget about. To have a really well cultivated greenhouse you simply need to use some real soil, add plenty of light and air, water when necessary and nourish the plants.
Matt W · 10th Nov 2015
Greenhouse gardening is the best way to undertake winter gardening because it allows you to enjoy your hobby when it's freezing cold outside. Of course, if you want to see success here, there are some things you will need to do. Keep reading to find out more.
Matt W · 10th Sep 2015
Step-by-step greenhouse insulation guide from expert installers. Covers bubble wrap fitting, R-values, draft-proofing, polycarbonate comparison and real heating cost data. Includes month-by-month calendar and product recommendations.
John Harrison · 10th Sep 2015
Things will grow very slowly if at all in December and January. Not so much because of the temperature but because the length of the day is at its shortest around the winter solstice (21st December). They will be gathering their energies ready to leap ahead come February when the days noticeably lengthen so long as the greenhouse is at least frost free.
Matt W · 24th Aug 2015
Grey mould, properly called botrytis, is caused by the common fungus Botrytis cinerea, and presents as a furry grey mould. As the season comes to an end and the nights grow cooler, the atmosphere in the greenhouse becomes more humid which encourages fungal growths like botrytis but it can be a problem at any time of the year.
John Harrison · 14th Aug 2015
?How can I get an allotment?? is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive. The first thing to do is to find out where your local allotments are. Often sites aren't obvious from the road, being set behind houses and accessible from a nondescript lane. Many sites prefer to remain, if not hidden, then not obvious as this helps avoid problems from vandals and thieves.
John Harrison · 14th Aug 2015
Autumn is the time to restore and repair your lawn after a summer as a games field for the children. Start by scarifying ? raking out any moss and dead grass which builds up into a thatch restricting the grass growth.
Spiking the lawn will improve drainage ready for the winter rain. Just insert a fork about 15 cm into the ground, rock it back and forth to open the hole and then repeat about 30 cm ahead. For bowling green standards, use a special hollow tined fork that removes a plug of soil.
John Harrison · 11th May 2015
To maximise the growing season, start tomato seedlings off indoors on a south facing window sill in February. Because the day length is still short and the light weak, the seedlings can be drawn and leggy. To help avoid this put a piece of cardboard covered with aluminium foil behind the seed tray to reflect light back onto the seedlings.
Matt W · 8th May 2015
Complete greenhouse shading guide from expert installers. Covers shading paint, netting, blinds and natural methods with temperature thresholds, cost comparison table and month-by-month shading calendar.
Matt W · 7th May 2015
Step-by-step greenhouse cleaning guide from expert installers. Covers glass, polycarbonate, aluminium frames, staging, floors, gutters and pest prevention with cleaning products comparison and annual checklist.
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