Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round!

This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round.

Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone 2) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October.  If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate.

This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

AUGUST

In August we get to see the rewards of our efforts both inside and out side of the greenhouse.  This Month we get to enjoy the view of the gardens, the fruits of the veggies and plants as well as take pride in the attractive displays of flowers and foliage in and out of our greenhouses.

In August I do the following tasks in my greenhouse:

* Our temperature control issues remain this month.  Ventilation and air flow are vital tasks for us to keep up with. 

* This is a very busy month for the greenhouse enthusiast.  Watering is a job which can seem almost endless, as is the monitoring of our vents to keep temps down to a dull roar….especially if you do not have automatic venting systems in place.

*Many greenhouse owners have family weekend camping trips and other holidays planned for this month.  These activities will make it important to find a loyal and reliable friend or neighbor to take care of  not only the plants in your gardens, but more critically the care of the ones inside the greenhouse.

* in August it is often difficult to keep our temperatures in the greenhouse down to a dull roar.  Where we struggle in January and February to bring temperatures up—we now worry that they are too high.  Making sure your vent system is in good working order is critical.  I often open all the doors and window and set up additional fans that will force the hot air down and out of the greenhouse.

* **Damping Down** all of the walls, floors, and staging inside the greenhouse will help cool the temperatures off a little bit and add some humidity to the air.

* As we did install ‘Sun Scorch’ protection in June, we will continue to use it in August to protect our plants from the damaging rays of a hot sun.

* we must remain vigilant in our watering regime and be sure to damp down regularly.

*Watch for diseases and pests this month.  Many harmful bugs such as red spider mite, white fly, and thrips are among those which thrive this time of year.  We also need to watch or grey mould and mildew as well.  If any of these issues should arise, take IMMEDIATE action.

*outside issues that can “move” into our greenhouses will include butterflies that will be laying eggs, birds and other flying/ crawling insects.  These pests invade through open windows doors and vents.  My solution to this threat was to install as screened door and screened windows to my structure.  Trying to catch or guide a scared bird out of the greenhouse is NO FUN.

*Get the plant food ready to use!!!  Our plants are growing quickly and are in their prime.  Regular doses of the plant food of your choice  whether “green”, organic or chemical in nature will keep them growing strong.

* wanting to make more plants?  August is an excellent month to take cuttings from our existing stock.  The nice warm conditions in the greenhouse will help the cuttings form roots quickly

*maintain those clean conditions in the greenhouse…this will help prevent problems!!

*start making sure you stock up on supplies such as pots, soil, plant food, bulbs etc…we can never be too prepared!

* begin to do some maintenance on your garden tools this month.  Many garden centers are putting our favorite tools on sale to clear space for the fall merchandise…this is an excellent time to start thinking about replacing those tools which are worn out.

*Don’t forget to update your garden journals!!!  Continue to take lots of photos to remind yourself of the things you do and do not like for future reference!

*enjoy the long days  and warm evenings of August in your gardens and greenhouse!

I will see you again in September with more greenhouse tasks!

What tasks do you do for  the month of August in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round!

This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round.

Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone 2) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October.  If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate.

This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

In this oh so hot month of July, we don’t have much going on inside the greenhouse at all except maybe a few tropical plants  that enjoy the heat!  July is often the hottest month of the year for  the greenhouse gardener…Watering and making sure ventilation is working properly are almost a full time job!

In July, I do the following tasks in my greenhouse:

*keeping the temperatures low enough is a difficult task this month.  Open ventilation systems and possibly even the addition of some supplemental fans may be necessary this month. 

* Keep up the shading for the tender leaves of the plants that you may have growing in your greenhouse.  Shading will also help protect the greenhouse equipment such as the cell packs and trays from melting under the scorching temps of the hot summer sun.

* Regular Damping Down is a MUST this month in order to keep temps a bit lower and humidity at a good level.

*Water, water and more water for the plants you have growing inside the greenhouse.  High summer temperatures will dry them out faster than you think, and it is easy for a dry plant to perish in hot conditions.

*Maintain your cleaning regimen in the greenhouse…

*  Keep a vigilant eye open for pests in the greenhouse this month.  Spider mites LOVE warm dry conditions, as do whitefly and aphids…so be ready with your remedies as soon as the first indication that there is trouble comes to your attention.

* Watch for things such as grey mould and mildew this month.  All the extra watering could help such things propagate themselves.

* FEED those potted plants in the greenhouse.  July is a great month to promote healthy growth.  Warm roots are active roots!!!  Feed them and watch those plants shoot up!

*Maintain the supplies in your greenhouse…

*Stop and enjoy the sights and smells of all the beautiful blooms and  bright foliage both inside and outside your greenhouse

*Don’t forget!!!  We must update our garden journals this month!!!  Continue to take lots of photos to remind yourself of the things you do and do not like for future reference!

I will see you again in August with more greenhouse tasks!

What tasks do you do for  the month of July in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

I thought I’d take today’s post to show you the current state of my greenhouse!

Caution…the contents of this post caused this Tootsie a lot of anxiety and some tears.  (I’m ok now though!  Ha-ha)

The move is inevitable…and a greenhouse is a must in my world.  There are restrictions in the new house, and things are running a bit behind.  Thus, a decision was made.  I will take as much of this greenhouse as I possibly can…and use it again until the time comes when I can build a bigger one.

The yard at the house where I am moving is not as large as this one is, so a bigger greenhouse is really not an option.  The season has changed to winter, and time is of the essence…so I think that doing just what I have been for now is a good idea. I also am not living there yet…and it is three hours away from me…so being there to oversee a new style go up would be difficult!

So…we take the greenhouse down.

First I emptied it all out…took the blinds and all the shade screen down.

YOU BOYS BE CAREFUL WITH MY GREENHOUSE!!!!!!

Then the ‘men’ got to work on the plexi walls and all the screws that are holding it together…My 12 year old son was so excited to help out.  He really is is mom’s boy…Loves his power tools too!  hahaha

Before long…the bare frame was all that remained…the roof beams are already gone and the plexi was all moved aside to make room for more dismantling to get done.

It was not a good day in  this Tootsie’s world…I was very emotional about taking my space apart.    Seeing it all laying on the grass was so hard to look at.  Even though I know it will all be back up in a few weeks…it was still a difficult thing to say goodbye to it standing where it was.

BUT…Tootsie put her big girl panties on…and worked up quite a sweat…

The greenhouse doesn’t seem quite so big when you put it all in the trailer now does it?  I am actually kind of surprised it took up less than 1/2 of the trailer.  hahaha…

It’s all loaded up…and ready to head to the new place…I just hope we remember what goes where!  haha..

The yard will now have just a patio that is 12×20 feet big…and a gas line that the new people can put a heater on if they want to.  It is a nice big space for a party!

My yard sure does look big and lonely without the greenhouse now doesn’t it?

Just is NOT Tootsie’s Space anymore.

I already miss my greenhouse.  It is my safe place…where I go to take the edge off all of the stresses in life…I can’t wait to get the next one up!

I better get going…that greenhouse is not going to build itself you know!  Off to better things…new challenges and a lot of work!

I will be able to begin to share photos of everything very soon!!!

I hope I will see you all on Friday for the Big Flaunt!!!

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round!

This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round.

Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone3) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October.  If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate.

This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

In June, the greenhouse looks very different that it has all year!  Things have been planted in the ground, and the greenhouse becomes a lot less populated by our garden plants.  Most (if not all) of our veggie and annual seedlings as well as our summer hardy potted plant, hanging baskets and tender shrubs have been relocated to their summer locations and we can make room for other things growing on in our greenhouses!

In June, I do the following tasks in my greenhouse:

*  The heat has been switched to OFF this month.  Now is a good time to do any maintenance or repairs to the heating system.

*Shading is now a MUST for any plants that have been let or recently relocated to the greenhouse.  The sun is hot and the days are getting longer.   Our seedlings and tender plants need protection from the damaging rays of a hot sun.  Did you know that plants can get sun burned too?

*HOW DO I KNOW IF MY PLANTS HAVE BEEN SCORCHED BY THE SUN?  see Sun Scorch in the glossary…(click  for shortcut) “the G Lingo”

*Ventilation is a very critical element this month.  Temperatures are getting high and we need to keep this under control on the warm days.  Open vents manually or have them open automatically (depending on your venting system installed in the greenhouse)  in the mornings and have them closed in the evening if the night temperatures are cooler.  If the night temperatures remain warm, leaving the vents open is not an issue. The regimen you use to open and close vents will depend on the climate you live in.

*  Making sure to water regularly any plants that you keep in the greenhouse over the warm summer months.  Watering more often is essential in June than in previous months.

*  I keep tropical houseplants in my greenhouse over the warm summer months.  June is the month when I move them all back into the greenhouse as the annual crop has been moved outside and there is plenty of room for them now.

* My greenhouse gets a thorough spring cleaning, and a new “look” in June…as after I spray and clean everything, I stack all staging and move in the tropical houseplants. I add a small seating area to the inside of my greenhouse at this time.

*Damping down the greenhouse and all the fixtures is a daily task that I do every morning or early afternoon.   Not only will damping down moisten and cool the air in the greenhouse, but it will also discourage red spider mites and other pests that enjoy warm dry conditions and may threaten plants.

*  “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”.  This old adage is a great rule of thumb to follow.     After the big move outdoors, the greenhouse is practically empty.  This for me, offers a great opportunity to completely clean the inside and all the staging etc.

I remove everything from the the inside of the greenhouse, and pressure wash floors, walls, and windows, doors and ceilings.

*Sweep and clean away any discarded plants, dead leaves and spilled soil at this time.   Wash any any dirty pots and generally clean any and all staging and equipment that needs it.  Keeping the greenhouse clean will discourage insects and other menacing pests from setting up home.

*  Stock or re-stock the greenhouse supplies such as soil, plant foods, tags etc..

*Take time to relax and enjoy the plants and the scenery inside your greenhouse.

*  Don’t forget to update your garden journals!!!!   Start taking photos of plantings and things in the gardens…this will help you to remember the things you do and do not like for future reference.

I will see you again in July with more greenhouse tasks!

What tasks do you do for  the month of June  in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round!

This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round.

Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone3) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October.  If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate.

This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

May is an exciting month in the year round greenhouse.  We have sown all of our seeds, and they are developing into a beautiful crop of plants and flowers that will grace our gardens all summer long!  There are a lot of things that we need to make sure we keep up with and are aware of this month.

Just as in April, the temperatures in the greenhouse are of the utmost of importance, as well as regular watering and pest/disease control.

*Keeping the warm temps up were an issue in past months, but in May we see an opposite trend starting.   It is warming up outside more each day, and spring is in full swing.  Our main task this month is to keep the daytime temperatures down a little bit, and the overnight temperatures where they need to be….75-80F  or   24-26C

*Shading our tender plants is important in the month of May.  Blinds or a shade screen are ideal ways to provide some relief from the scorching rays of the sun.

(*there is a product on the market called shading paint that can be used to cover south facing windows or areas that have excessive sun coverage.  If the weather should dull or cool dramatically shade paint can be removed.  I don’t use this product.  I simply will hang old sheer curtains or thin white bed sheets from the ceiling of the greenhouse…and use blinds for the walls. )

*Proper ventilation and air flow is VERY important this time of year.  Open doors and windows or vents, and turn on your air circulation fans.  Hot and humid air can cause many diseases and pests to become and issue, so keeping the air in the greenhouse circulating is important.  Keeping the temperatures down to a dull roar  as much as possible is also very beneficial to the plants inside the greenhouse.

*  Damping down the greenhouse is a practice that will help manage those high daytime temperatures.   This method will include watering the staging and floors in the mornings while the sun is shining.  The air temperature in the greenhouse will be reduced when the water evaporates, and the relative humidity inside the structure will be raised.

*  Our plants are now actively growing in our greenhouses and we should feel free to feed them with the food of our choice.  Most  (if not all) of our plants are in pots or containers and will need some sort of nourishment if they are to keep actively growing and thriving.  A little feeding will give our plants that kick in the roots that will send them into healthy maturity in the coming weeks.

*DO NOT FORGET TO WATER!!!  Check each are of your greenhouse AT LEAST once each day to  make sure things have not become too dry.  Making sure that the soil in the containers is moist but not soaked is important.  We would not want to see our plants affected by root rot, or have parched plants withering and fading away on us.

* In my greenhouse, I begin to harden off my annuals in May.  This means that I will take each and every pot, tray and container out of the greenhouse into the back yard garden for short periods of time.  They will slowly adjust to the outdoor temperatures and conditions.  Each day, I extend the period of time that I leave the plants outside, until they are safe from such threats as sunburn, windburn and frost.   This is a lot of work, and very good exercise!!!

* Continued vigilance on maintenance and cleaning of the greenhouse is important, as is making sure all structural parts are intact and all equipment is in good working order.

*keep records up to date in  your greenhouse journal!!!

I will see you again in June with more greenhouse tasks!

What tasks do you do for  the month of May  in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Well Hello there!  Today I am sharing from inside the greenhouse.

All the little seedlings that took their start inside are now thriving outside…and the greenhouse is still growing on.

In case some of you are new and not so familiar with me and my plant obsession, these are the facts:

I live within in the city of Red Deer …which is smack dab in the middle of Alberta Canada…I am a zone three gardener, and I garden year round.  Our winters are bitterly cold and that means my greenhouse is the little oasis in the snow for most months of the year.  I am fortunate to have a fairly large yard…that is filled with several flower beds.

The greenhouse is a 12×20 wood and plexi –glass structure that stands on wood decking, (which in the winter months is lined and insulated by industrial foam tile flooring…In the cold winter months I heat the greenhouse with a gas furnace and in the summer when it is warm, I cool with the vents and move the air with fans.  I am by no means a professional gardener…but instead self taught and wingin’ it as I go…trial and error has taught me much!  I absolutely adore my greenhouse and pretty much anything with leaves….(okay…not weeds…ha-ha)

I start all the annual flowers in my greenhouse, starting in January.  From January until May the greenhouse is filled with the bedding plants that will fill my gardens for the summer months…Once the annuals are out of the greenhouse, I move several of my houseplants (tropicals) into it and that is where they live for the summer and most of the winter months!  I garden year round from the safety of my very favorite place in the world….my greenhouse!

Now that we have the particulars out of the way, lets see what’s going in inside in the greenhouse at this time of year.

Lots of tropicals…some started from cuttings…some from seed…all are very much loved.

Yes…that is my kid’s swimming pool…it is so warm inside the greenhouse, that the cold water doesn’t seem to phase them when it is inside…it also stays a lot cleaner than having it outside…and I don’t lose any garden space with an ugly swimming pool!

I open the blinds and can sit and watch the kids swim…as well as enjoy the view of my gardens from my little wicker throne.

NOW….What’s Growing in the greenhouse right this minute???

I have lots of plants that are in there right now…I am also starting a bunch of new ones to give to friends who are plant deprived…lol

THIS…is the cacti that I started from seed about 5 years ago.  They are growing like weeds all of a sudden.  Last spring I broke a piece of the tall one off when I was trying to transplant them.  I popped them into the soil of another pot…and now they too are growing like crazy.  It seems, that I need to cut back that tall one…it doesn’t want to stand on its own anymore…and I am constantly getting prickles in places no prickles should ever go…hee hee…

I am not that versed in the language of the succulent…especially the prickly cactus variety..so I have no idea what they are all called…or why this one keeps drooping over on me.

This little batch started out as one little round…and has become quite a big member of the house!  It will soon grace the tables of my hairdressers shop…as I am making more…and don’t need that many dangerous plants on my desk!  *)

This is a Nicco Swedish Ivy.  I took a cutting 7 years ago…and have been making more and more as need be.  It was three times the size of the photo above about a month ago…

Today she is not so big.  Out of the blue it collapsed and would not pick up.  So…I got busy and decided to cut it back and see if it would come around…seems that worked…it will be big as ever in no time I’m sure.

I also have the silver version of the Swedish ivy.  I started this from seed in the spring of this year.  I haven’t tried to keep one of the silver ones year round before…so thought it was worth a try.

A Begonia from seed 3 years ago…blooming all nice and pretty.

My Bananas!!! There are two of them in the greenhouse…I refer to them as the divas …totally high maintenance…ugh.  ha-ha-ha…but I do love them!

The Jade plant that I coaxed into bloom last summer is growing like a weed…I have started 6 new ones from it.

I do rescue for the plants that my chiropractor abuses…lol…the asparagus fern is almost ready to take back for round 3…lol

The greenhouse is like a last stop hospital for some of my houseplants…if they are not doing well…they rest up in here…if they can’t recover…they are replaced…or have cuttings taken from them to make more to give away.

Healthy and happy…most of the plants thrive in the greenhouse…

My Mandeville is doing well…even sporting a couple of bloom buds…

There are two Wandering Jews…a green one that is very healthy….and a purple one…witch is not so much…I am taking cuttings off of them to make more…

I Have a whole stock of cuttings and starters from the tropicals that I love…just waiting for some soil, pots and new homes…

It seems that the wisteria heard me say she was slated for the trash if no leaves appeared….lol….two weeks ago it was nothing more than a twig!

The Passion flower is loving the warm in the greenhouse…has bloomed several times this summer.  I hope I can keep her alive for another winter…

The Hydrangea that I was certain would die, has decided to give me another chance…now…can we get some blooms???

I love anything with leaves…and am so glad to be able to grow year round in my little haven.

What does your greenhouse do in the summer months???

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to link in with some photos…with either current or past (during the dormant seasons) to Flaunt Your Flowers on Friday with me on Tootsie Time. Many absolutely gorgeous gardens participate in this party, and yours would be a welcome visit for them all to make!

Hugs and smiles, wishes for a grand week and thank you to those who have stopped by for a visit!  Leave a comment and share some of your gardening advice!

Until next time…Happy Gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

You have all heard of birth stones…and you have all heard of the traditional gift list…

…but have you heard of the traditional birthday flower guide?

If not….today is your lucky day!

I was  taking a break one day and found this list online at a site called homestead garden.  I have never heard of it, and decided to share!

January~~Carnation

February~~Violet

March~~Jonquil

April~~Sweet Pea or Daisy

May~~Lily of the Valley

June~~Rose

July~~Larkspur

August~~Gladiolus

September~~Aster

October~~Calendula

November~~Chrysanthemum

December~~Narcissus

I hope you enjoyed seeing which one you are! (at least no one is a Dandelion)

What is YOUR birthday flower?  Mine is May (lily of the valley)  Not my favorite flower…but it’s pretty!

I hope you all will join me  for the weekly garden flaunting party  over at my primary blog Tootsie Time!  The party starts Thursday evening and closes on Sunday night.  It is so much fun to see what others around the world are flaunting each week!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Are you ready to be inspired?  Do you like to share your flowers and foliage?  Consider this your official ivitation!!!

Friday is a BIG day for us over at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else there…lol) It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!!

Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together, snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!

If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?”
Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:
If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like.

The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing!

You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly!
All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and/or a link to Tootsie Time, or the linky will be deleted.

So….I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos over at Tootsie Time!

- but before you head over and join in on the Friday Flaunting…stop and click to follow here at Growing 4 Seasons…we just installed the google friend connect the other day, and would love to see your face on our list!  If we are not following you…say the word!!  We would love to return the gesture!

IT’S FERTILIZER FRIDAY!!!!! It’s time to Flaunt Your Flowers/Foliage!
I can’t wait to see what you share!

Hugs, smiles and wishes for a great weekend with friends and family.

Until next time….Happy Gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round!

This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round.

Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone3) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October.  If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate.

This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

Happy Spring!!!

As we have just passed the official date that marks the first of the warmer season, we have Lots to do in the greenhouse!

In my case, all but a couple varieties of seed have been sown, and things are growing like crazy!

This is an unusual year…the photos that I am sharing in this post are from 2010…as this year we still have 3 feet of snow on the ground!  It has been a LONG winter, and it is not as warm as normal…spring is a bit delayed.  So…I am going to give you the regimen that I use on a regular year!

This month, we need to focus on the plants…the watering and the feeding and the ventilation!

*High day temperatures can be a problem this month. Regular ventilation is essential.  Make sure your ventilation systems are in good working order this month…you will need them!

*Some shading will be necessary in cloudless, sunny weather. I hang sheer curtains as a shade barrier on the roof of the greenhouse.

*Keep watch for pests. Greenfly, whitefly, vine weeval and red spider mite are all active now, as are the aphids.

*Regular feeding is essential. Do not over-feed, and make sure not to feed seedlings too early!

*The need for night heating is reduced this month, but be careful. If you have a cold snap young growth is especially susceptible. Watch your thermostats!

* regular watering regimens are very important this month.  I use the garden hose, but always make sure I have a reserve inside just in case!

*thinning seed flats that may have been over seeded is important to avoid overcrowding, (which causes disease)

*re-seed any varieties that may have had sparse germination…there is still a little time before last frost!

*maintain clean conditions in the greenhouse …

*keep our greenhouse journals up to date!!!

* April is the month that I like to start planting the hanging baskets and container gardens for my patio.  This is always so much fun!

*closer to the end of the month, if the weather conditions are right, there is always the option of bringing some of the plants outside to begin the hardening off process that we will focus on next month.

I will see you again in April with more greenhouse tasks!

What tasks do you do for  the month of April in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Many greenhouse growers use their greenhouses for a short period during the warmer months of the year, but there are a small percentage of us that grow year round!

This month by month outline will share what tasks may need to be done year round.

Keeping in mind that I garden in Alberta Canada, (zone3) the outdoor growing season is from mid to the end of May until the hard frosts take my gardens in mid to late September or early October.  If your climate is a bit milder than mine, you can adjust your greenhouse schedule to suit your climate.

This schedule is made for a plan to plant outdoors in Mid to late May.

With the spring season almost right on top of us this month, we must be aware of the warmer temperatures and big fluctuations in temps outside with the weather.

My Greenhouse in March is LOADED to capacity with trays of sown seed, seedlings and some established plants.  It is a very exciting time.

*sow most of the seeds that will be the spring crop of annuals this month if they are not already sown.

* make sure all the air vents are working correctly,  fan systems are  operating properly and the thermostat is accurate.  Proper ventilation will be important on warmer sunny days.

*continue to keep the heating system in working mode.  March can be tricky as there is still the cold night temps…as well as warmer daytime highs.

*the seedlings have more than likely popped up in number…so watering systems must be operational…or in my case…the water containers must remain at full.

* it is about the time of year we begin to use fertilizer to feed established plants in the greenhouse, as well as on the seedlings.  (be sure not to water seedlings with fertilizer until they have their second set of true leaves, and to ensure that the solution is not too strong- we wouldn’t want to burn our babies!)

* more sunny days mean more need for some sort of shade.  For me this means hanging some fabric that will filter the sunlight.  This will help ensure that the seedlings do not get burnt.

*inspecting the greenhouse plants for pests such as aphids, spider mites and others…is a must this month.    If you find some treat immediately.

*watch for damping off disease in your seedlings…

*thin out some of the young plants that are sprouting up in your plant trays.  Too many will cause issues and disease and threaten your entire crop.

*start any seeds that are left to be sown.  There isn’t much time left before the spring plant!

*make sure you write the date that you sow seeds on the package that they came in for future reference and store empty seed packets in a waterproof container.

*continue to keep the greenhouse tidy and organized.  It is filling up quickly now and regular cleaning is necessary.

*update your garden Journal regularly

* make sure that you have someone on standby to water your greenhouse if you are away from home.

*because heavy wet snow can fall in the month of March, make sure you or someone else is always ready to pull down snow that my fall and accumulate on the roof…we would not want to see your greenhouse fall down!

*you might consider starting some of your spring bulbs in the greenhouse this month to be transplanted into the garden in the months to come!

I will see you again in April with more greenhouse tasks!

What tasks did you do for  the month of March in your greenhouse?

Until next time….Happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.