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

Welcome!!!  I am so glad you dropped by today!!!

Do you have a list of favorite blogs that you love to read? Do the posts inspire you? Have you just found a new blog that you are excited about and want to share the news??? Well…if you answered yes to any of these….this is your lucky day!

This party is brand spanking new! It is not just any party…it is a party with a TWIST!!! You don’t get to blow your own horn…you get to share a blog that who you admire!! There is no better way to show appreciation for the inspiration/ entertainment/ information than to send some new followers their way!

Read ‘Em Wednesday is a brand new way to show appreciation for your fellow bloggers! It is a party that offers us an opportunity to bring attention to some of the best blogs out there!

All you have to do is this:

A..Choose a blog that you enjoy reading off your blog list.

B..Write yourself a post introducing us all to your chosen blog and it’s author.

C..Be sure to put a link to that special blog in your post!

D..Link your blog post to this party…specific post URL…not your home page

E. Enjoy the party…and perhaps find a few new favourites on the list!

Now…I know I know…you are wondering if there are specific rules that this party insists you follow….funny you should ask:

There are a few straight forward guidelines that we ask you to follow…They are common sense really…

The Guidelines of this party are:

1. You cannot feature or share a blog that is not family friendly…NO PORN or ADULT SITES please!!!

2. You can feature any blog you want…any blog…there is no limit to the topic.

3. You cannot share your own blog…you Must share a favorite that you follow

4. Your post must include two things: 1. A link to the blog you are sharing. 2. A link to this party. You may also use the logo of this party and include a link to it as well. Either way….you MUST link to the hosting blog for this party!!!

( Any post that does not link directly to the host blog will be deleted…Our logo/link is VERY important to bring traffic to your blog and the blog you are sharing.)

5. You cannot enter without a post sharing another blog that you appreciate. You must share another blog.

6. You can only enter one time per week

7. you do not need to become a follower of each participant…but it would be nice if you have the time, to go to at least a few of them, and leave a wonderful word or two…and maybe even follow if you like what you see!

8. You are not allowed to feature any sites that are directly trying to sell something. This is not a party for advertising …or pedaling any wares. Any blogs that are created to sell any product will be deleted by party admin.

You can join/link into this fun new party at Tootsie Time, Growing 4 Seasons and at the Garden Chat Blog…It doesn’t matter which one you link into…the link will appear on all four lists… exposing not only your blog, but your featured blog to a whole lot of new fans! The linky will open Monday evenings and will close on Tuesday evening at midnight. You don’t have much time to join in the fun, so you best get posting!!!

———————————–

This is my share for the week:

I love to read blogs when I can…and I just adore garden blogs.  I also like to read the odd joke blog and several blogs about junkin’ and decorating…These are all things I know how to do…but there is one blog that I love to read…simply because I envy this woman’s special gift.

I have tried…and tried…and tried again, but to no avail.  I  thought I had the wrong equipment…so I went shopping…nope…thought maybe the background was wrong…so I painted it…nope…the fact that I needed to face…was I was no DIANE.   I am tablescape challenged.  I suck…stink on ice…simply cannot set a gorgeous table!

I do however LOVE to visit Tablescapes By Diane.   This woman can set a table for ANY occasion!  The cutest Halloween table I have ever seen was just set last week!  You guys…if you have not seen this wonderful woman’s gift…PLEASE head over there and check her out!  She rocks that dish cupboard every chance she gets!

Diane is a sweetheart too…she leaves the kindest comments for those who visit…always returns the visit and never ever has laughed at me for being plate handicapped!  I honestly don’t know how she does it…but I love to look at her work!

Check her out…click her name…the link will take you right there!  She’s probably setting us all a table for tea as we speak!

Until next Time….Happy reading!

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