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Showing posts with label Monthly Tasks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monthly Tasks. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Tasks: The Greenhouse In September

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.
SEPTEMBER
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September is the month when we begin to see the change from summer over to autumn. The days are slowly getting shorter and the nights are cooler. Most of our plants are still actively growing this month, but the cheerful blooms that made up our colorful displays are beginning to decline as the days go on.
We run the risk of frost in the overnight this month and we need to start to move some of our more tender plants into the the greenhouse from the garden to ready them for the winter. Even with the warms days still upon us, September is a good month for us to prepare for the cooer winter months ahead.
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In September I do the following tasks in my greenhouse:
*Check the heating system to ensure that it is in good working order and does not require any repairs. We may need to use it this month if the night time temperatures dip below the freezing point.
* This is a very good month to clean and disinfect the greenhouse in order to prepare for the moving in of the tender plants that we want to over winter indoors.
* Keep a watchful eye on the temperatures inside and outside this month. During the day, we will want to keep our vents open to avoid overheating the greenhouse plants. At night, or during those inevitable cold snaps, all vents will need to be closed to retain some of the sun’s warmth.
* Just as the need for ventilation begins to taper off this month, so does the chore of damping down. Only spray the floors and the staging down if necessary on the warm days, but make sure that you get this task done before mid day, to ensure moisture and fungal issues do not arise.
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* This month you will want to remove much of the shading that was installed earlier in the spring months, as maximum light illumination is of the utmost importance. Keep some shade, however, for those shade loving plants such as ferns that will reside inside the greenhouse.
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* If necessary fumigate the greenhouse with a fungicidal smoke this month…
* Get ready to move those tender plants into the greenhouse from the gardens! Plants that are not frost hardy can be irreparably damaged by one sharp frost. Make sure they are free from pests before taking them inside though!
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* If you are feeding your gardens and container plants, it is a good idea to begin to slow this practice down as many of our plants are beginning to go dormant for the winter this month. Feeding them would be a waste of time.
* Check your stock of supplies such as pots, soil, plant food, bulbs etc. and replenish what is low.
* 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!
* maintain those clean conditions in the greenhouse…this will help prevent problems!!
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* Enjoy the last days of the summer in your gardens and greenhouse while we wait for fall!
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I will see you again in October with more greenhouse tasks!
What tasks do you do for the month of September in your greenhouse?
Until next time….Happy gardening!
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

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today’s post has been proudly sponsored by 18 8ighty 9ine Clothing House
 19 8ighty 9ine Clothing House

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Tasks: The Greenhouse in April

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.
 
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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  or inexpensive thin white bed sheets as a shade barrier on the roof of the greenhouse.
 
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*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!
 
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* 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!
 
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*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 …
 
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*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!
 
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*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.
 
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I will see you again in May with more greenhouse tasks!
 
What tasks do you do for the month of April in your greenhouse?
 
Until next time….Happy gardening!
 
*)*)*)   don't ever settle. go for what you want no matter how hard you believe it is to obtain.
 
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Tasks: The Greenhouse in March

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.

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.

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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.

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* 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.

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* 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!)

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* 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.

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*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!

 *)*)*)  Alway's appreciate what you have,never take them for granted and take advantage of them,one day it will be too late.

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

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Tasks: The Greenhouse In January

For a while now I have been considering sharing some of the ins and outs of my greenhouse. I am often asked what to do each month and why...so I thought I would put together a series of Monthly posts that will share what I do as each month passes...and prompt those who need a bit of a reminder!

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 a harsh climate 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.
JANUARY.
January is the start of a whole new year! It is a good month to take a look at what you have growing in your greenhouse, take inventory of your supplies, and begin to plan for the coming summer months. In the cooler climates, the greenhouse will already have been insulated and inspected for the cold temps of the winter, but this is a good time to take a quick look to make sure that all the equipment, heaters, fans, and thermometers are in good working order. It is a great time to begin to plan for your gardens for the upcoming garden season!
In January I prepare MY greenhouse by:
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*making sure the greenhouse is well insulated, and that all drafts are plugged. Take extra care to look especially round the doors, eaves and vents.
* make sure all snow is removed from the roof as soon as it falls, to not only ease the pressure on the roof, but to allow more light to enter the growing area.
*set up my water system. I do not have running water in my greenhouse, therefore I use large clean garbage cans. I clean and fill my water cans, so that they are ready for the upcoming months, and that I have a water supply for the rest of winter.
* keep garden hose on hand for the filling of the cans, so that it is not frozen.
*purchase several bales of potting soil
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* on a “warm” day, I prune and/or re-pot and then bring all the tropical houseplants that I house over the fall and early winter months into the house to make room for the upcoming spring plants.
*order seeds for the upcoming spring crop
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* remove all dead leaves from plants that are remaining in the greenhouse, prune and/or re-pot.
* clean and tidy up the greenhouse- including washing the walls/windows and all shelving
*spray for pests (If necessary I will use a mild insecticide to make sure the environment is ‘clean’ for the young seedlings to come
*test the heat, thermostat, thermometers and fan system.
*plan for extra/supplemental heat sources if necessary. The temps can fall rapidly and harsh cold is common in Alberta in the winter months. -37C is not uncommon.
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Set Up Shelving In January
*set up the shelving (staging) in the greenhouse
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*begin to fill pots and line trays for the seeds to be sown in
*it is a good idea to begin a greenhouse journal, either by hand or on your computer to track your activities for future reference, and for the planning/scheduling stages
* start to get excited for the spring seeds to arrive and get plans made for the gardens this year.
What greenhouse tasks do you do in your area in the first month of the year?
I will see you again in February!
Until then, Happy Gardening!
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.