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Showing posts with label Winterizing the Greenhouse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winterizing the Greenhouse. Show all posts

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Tasks: The Greenhouse In October

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.
OCTOBER
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October brings with it a significant slow down to the daily activities in the greenhouse.  The summer blooms, crops and heat waves have passed on to make way for the cooler temperatures of fall.  We no longer will need to be so vigilant with daily watering, damping down and venting, but instead we need to pay attention to cool weather patterns and be ready to turn on the heat at night after the sun has set. 
In spite of the beautiful colors that fall in Alberta Canada brings, it also brings with it frost and much cooler temperatures.  There are specific tasks that I will need to take care of in the greenhouse before the full effect of fall sets in on us.
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In October, in my greenhouse I do the following tasks:
*  I live in a cooler climate and that means that I will have to take measures to ensure the heat is kept in the greenhouse over the winter. I will need to install my winter flooring over the decking in the greenhouse.
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The material that I use to insulate the floor in winter months is a 1/2 inch thick layer of foam matting.  (I use anti fatigue mats) This layer  of flooring mats will help to insulate the floor and keep some of the chill off as the temperatures dip below the freezing point.
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*  We all need to be sure that our heating systems are in perfect working order.  We certainly do NOT want to get caught with our “pants down” if a cold snap should hit. 
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*  Make sure the thermostat on the heating system is set to help keep things at a “happy” temperature inside the greenhouse…  Especially during those cooler nights.
*  It is time for us to stop damping down this month.  There is no longer the need to provide extra humidity, or too cool things off.  Too much humidity can cause more harm than good.
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*  Try to always keep some ventilation going.  We don’t need as much air flow venting as we did in the hot summer months, but we do need some air flow to keep fresh air moving about and helping to even out the temps in the greenhouse.
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*  Between mid morning and early afternoon is the best time to open your vents but remember to close them at night.  Try not to open vents on wet days if possible.
*  Be careful with your watering!!!   Over watering is a possibility now that it is cooler and the days are shorter.  Our plants are not as active and the warm temps are gone.  They do not need too much water this time of year. 
*  Try not to water too late in the day, as we need to allow the leaves and staging (if it gets wet) to dry out before it gets dark outside.  If we water early on in the day, any splashes can dry out before the sun sets.
*  Clean up your plants!  Remove any dead or yellowing leaves and/or spent flowers.   Spray I insects or diseases are present.  Make sure that if you need to spray for bugs, that you do it early in the day, regardless if you are using a “green” home made spray or a chemical commercial one.
*  Bring all of your frost sensitive plants inside for the winter months
*  Stop feeding your plants on a weekly basis this month.  The cooler temperatures and shorter days have caused many of them to go dormant.  Starting in October, cutting back to monthly feeding for most plants will be sufficient.
*  Assess what you will need to do to winterize the greenhouse for those coldest of months…make sure you have the supplies to do this.  We must have it all in place in the next month or so!
* Check your stock of supplies such as pots, soil, plant food, bulbs etc. and replenish what is low.
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*  keep your water reservoirs filled!  I use two large plastic garbage cans to hold water for the greenhouse.  I fill mine as needed from the outside tap.  It will not only keep your plants moderately watered…but will help keep some humidity in the air.
* 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!!
I will see you again in November with more greenhouse tasks!
What tasks do you do for the month of October in your greenhouse?
Until next time….Happy gardening!
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com


today’s post has been proudly sponsored by 19 8ighty 9ine
www.chic-a-boot.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Nov. 30/12

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Good Day Friends!   I hope you are all staying nice and warm this winter!!!   ARE YOU GET READY!?!?!?!  IT IS FRIDAY!!! FRIDAY IS FLAUNTING DAY!!! I am so glad you stopped by!
Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…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...

This week came and went for me without too much notice.  It was busy for us as usual around my house…but nothing very memorable!  This is a good thing.   There was a LOT of Christmas Shopping being finished up, and a little housework in between errands!   Not much has been growing in my world…you see this is the way the weather is looking right now:
Environment Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Current Conditions
-17 °C
Observed at:
Wainwright CFB
Date:
7:00 AM MST Thursday 29 November 2012
  • Temperature:
    -17.4°C
    Dewpoint:
    -19.8°C
    Humidity:
    82 %
    Wind:
    E 22 km/h
    Wind Chill:
    -27
Today
Snow ending near noon then cloudy. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind east 20 km/h. High minus 15C. Wind chill minus 28C.
Tonight
Cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries. Wind southeast 20 km/h. Temperature steady near minus 14C.
Friday
Periods of light snow. Wind southeast 20 km/h becoming northeast 20 early in the afternoon. Temperature steady near minus 13C.
Saturday
Cloudy. Low minus 17C. High minus 13C.
Sunday
Cloudy. Low minus 16C. High minus 13C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 19C. High minus 16C.
Tuesday
Sunny. Low minus 17C. High minus 10C.
Wednesday
Sunny. Low minus 12C. High minus 5C.
YA…it isn’t pretty…but it isn’t the worst it will be!   Life in Alberta is a chilly one in the winter months.   That is why it is important that I do things like this:
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can you see the plastic on the walls?
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Yep!   I finally got the greenhouse winterized!
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It makes things a little foggy for seeing in and out…but it holds the heat a lot better!
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I also did the ceiling.
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It was NO easy task getting up on the ladder and stapling that plastic up all over the place…in BETWEEN everything that is in there!
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Over all, I think it was worth the effort.  I will use a little less gas to heat the place, and things will stay a little warmer in the winter months to come.  We haven’t even begun the COLD part of the Alberta winter, so I am hopeful that this will be a blessing when those frigid temps
I also have something great to share!  I am so proud!!
Do you remember what plant I said was the ONLY plant that intimidated me???
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If you said Orchid you are right on the money!   Well a couple of years ago I was named gardener of the month for Costa Farms…they sent me 4 beautiful Orchids as a gift…I was terrified!   The photo above is one of those Orchids!   I have two left…they live in the greenhouse, and I was sure they would never bloom again…until today!
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Do you see????   YAY!!!   Both of the surviving Orchids are getting ready to bloom!!!   WOOOO HOOOO!   I am so excited!
I can’t wait to show you when they bloom “out loud”!
Well kids…that is all for me for this week…now it is your turn…What are you waiting for??? Get flaunting!
I wish all of you hugs and smiles, and safe and happy weekend plans! Thank you all so much for dropping in today, and to those that faithfully link in to this party…and who are patient while waiting for me to FINALY visit you…it seems there are not enough hours in a day anymore...THANK YOU!
Until Next Time... Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) to my very special three:  ~ The amazing thing about life is that you choose what you allow into it, you choose how things affect you, you choose how you react. Happiness is a Choice ~

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