BC Greenhouse Builders Ltd - e-Newsletter Winter 2009

YOUR CHOICE OF GREEN OR BROWN GREENHOUSE FOR THE SAME PRICE AS WHITE.*

Or, if you prefer a white greenhouse, receive the value of the colour charge as a discount. Limited time offer - valid for orders placed December 1, 2008 - January 31, 2009 (standard lead times apply). *Offer not valid on our Sun Garden greenhouse

Walking into the greenhouse in January, there is a lingering fragrance in the air and a spring display of colorful bulbs. The hyacinths and daffodils that were potted in September are now in full bloom. Cuttings and wintered-over plants are also showing signs of new leaf growth.

January, February and early March the greenhouse gardener becomes involved in seed selection and propagation. It used to be that seed catalogues would start to arrive in December and seeds were ordered for delivery in January. Today with internet technology not only can one go online and view seed catalogues but seeds can be purchased online. Stokes Seeds www.stokeseeds.com is one of the seed companies that carry greenhouse English cucumber seeds. They also carry a short greenhouse cucumber seed called Dishon. Having a smaller cucumber is great just to cut up for sandwiches or eat as a snack. They are really worth a try.

Slow growing seeds like the fibrous begonias and geraniums are started in January. It is always a treat to harvest vegetables from the greenhouse. Cool crops started in January for an early spring greenhouse harvest are early potatoes, lettuce and baby carrots.

In February, it is recommended to start propagating the ageratum, heliotrope, lobelia and snapdragons for the spring garden. In February early vegetable seeds for garden planting are started and then transplanted in the garden under covered cloches. Some of these vegetable varieties are cabbage, celery, spinach and leeks.

The beginning of March is a busier time in the greenhouse with sowing the faster growing annual seeds and transplanting the seeds that were started in the previous months. Seed packages always state the maturity date and that will determine when to start propagating.

In a cool greenhouse with a night temperature of 40° - 45°F (5° - 7°C) a propagating area is required. Seeds require a temperature of 70°F (20°C) bottom heat to germinate. Soil cables and heating mats will provide the necessary bottom heat.

– BOX SIZE: (56cm) 22” x 22” – 1-3m (10’) SOIL CABLE – SOIL CABLE IS SPACED (11 cm) 4.5” APART A soil cable propagating box can easily be constructed by building a wooden box six inches high around two flats.

On the solid bottom put two inches of sand, and lay the soil cable on this sand in looped form. Cover this soil cable with two more inches of sand and place the flats or inserts on top. The heat travels through the sand and provides an even heat to the flats or inserts and pots.

Automatic soil cables have a preset thermostat of 20°C (70°F). These are available in 3m (10’), 5m (17’), 8m (26’) and 10m (33’).

Heated propagating boxes can be made in any size and soil cable length is determined by the square footage of the growing area multiplied by three.

Drafts in the greenhouse are a sign of heat loss. Minor repairs will save on heating costs.
Condensation can be decreased by careful watering and circulating the air with a small circulating fan.
Changes in the outdoor winter temperatures can happen quite frequently. A daily check of the minimum temperature inside the greenhouse will indicate if the heater thermostat requires adjustment.
Using sterilized soil when propagating seeds will prevent diseases.