Greenhouse Wisdom
(Continued)

Buyer's Guide

Getting started

Once you have made all the necessary visits to manufacturers and decided on the greenhouse that suits you best, it’s time to start buying for the interior. February is probably the best time of year to make a fresh start, so here are a few purchases that should be on your list:

• Seed compost – suitable for sowing seeds, but does not contain enough nutrients for potting
• Potting compost – should only be used for potting and pricking out. Not suitable for seeds
• Multi-purpose compost – can be used for sowing, potting and cuttings
• Seedtrays – suitable for sowing all types of seed
• Seedtray covers – these can turn your trays into unheated propagators and come with adjustable air vents
• Rootrainers – help to train the roots downwards and encourages them to grow strongly
• Plug trays – help reduce the disturbance to the root system
• Rose-topped watering can – ideal for watering small seedlings
• Soil thermometers – useful to check soil temperatures when propagating or planting out
• Wall thermometers – for checking the temperature inside the greenhouse and outside
• Potting bench – makes potting up easy. All the compost and materials are retained in one area
• Hand sprayer – for weedkillers, insecticide or plant feed
• Plastic labels – for identifying the seeds you have sown
• Staging/shelving unit – freestanding or to place on existing staging

Above: With most staging you can add to it as and when required throughout the growing season

Above: Keep your greenhouse ventilated, even during the winter months, as temperatures can rise even at this time of year

Further reading
•The Royal Horticultural Society book ‘Growing Under Glass’ by Kenneth A Beckett offers a wealth of information on growing plants in cold, cool and warm greenhouses Step-by-step illustrations guide you through the many jobs and a whole section looks at locating, erecting, heating, cleaning and equipping your greenhouse. The book costs £8.99
•The Greenhouse Expert by Dr D G Hessayon outlines all you want to know about the conservatory and greenhouse and costs £5.99. As well as providing you with a step-by-step month-by-month guide to greenhouse jobs it also gives details on caring for a wide range of plants in your greenhouse.

Suppliers
Access Tel: 01788-822301
Alitex Tel: 01420-82860
Alton Tel: 01295-770795
Backwoodsman Tel: 01631-720539
Cambridge Glasshouse Tel: 01430-449440
Eden Greenhouses Tel: 01242-676625
Edward Owen Tel: 01276-62262
Gardenmaster Tel: 0161-494 7472
Halls Tel: 0162-279 1234

PHOTOS/ROBINSONS, ALTON, EDWARD OWEN, REGAL, ALITEX, NORFOLK, HARTLEY BOTANIC, CH WHITEHOUSE/ ILLUSTRATIONS/CHRIS MADDEN