Topic: Cleaning out my greenhouse for the first time...

[jesus1987]

Hi everyone.

New user here. I moved house about 3 months ago, and in the process obtained a decent sized green house (1.9m x 2.5m / 6'2" x 8'2"). I also obtained the contents within; skeletal remains of long dead plants and bone dry soil. I used the open space inside to finish growing my chilli plants in, but the hard cold has long finished those off.

I have recently purchased a few 220L composters (still to be delivered). I was wondering if I would be able to dump all of the dead stuff in the greenhouse into the composter (soil/plants etc)? I can't think of anywhere else I could dump all of the dried up soil in the tubs as there must be at least 50+ L of the stuff in tubs in all.

Many thanks.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I don't think there would be any problem with that, though you could just as well put the contents of the pots straight onto a bed.

[jesus1987]

So I shouldn't be worrying about if there may be any dormant disease or anything? Or would the state of the soil etc have long killed off any nasties? Hopefully so, as I can empty all of this out and start cleaning the pots ready for garlic and onions  :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Can you tell what was in the pots? If it was ordinary greenhouse stuff it's unlikely. A composter wouldn't kill disease, but if you're worried, you can sterilise it with Jeyes. Remember to leave it a couple of months in that case before you use it.

[jesus1987]

It just looks like standard veg - think I can make out a few dehydrated tomato, brussel sprout and related sorts of plants. Did you mean to leave it a few months (after sterilising with Jeyes) before I put it in the composter, or actually using the stuff out of the composter after it is mixed in? Thanks for the help.

[tonybloke]

just chuck it all in the composter!! the micro-life in a composter will break down most nasties, the worms doing most of the de-contamination. (worms can break down most pathogens, even e-coli !!)

[jesus1987]

Wow. Right, i'ma go and fetch it all out into an empty storage box and clean the tubs. Hope the composter gets here soon...

Many thanks everyone :)

[jesus1987]

Right, aside from the remnant topic - I've realised that all of the tubs e.t.c. are just situated on the floor of the greenhouse. What's the best course of action to have some type of elevation (e.g shelving, work surfaces, table) and where can I get such things? Wilko's just seems to have a 4-shelf item which couldn't really be used to have plants on.

[daitheplant]

Any of the sheds such as b&q, focus and homebase should carry stocks of aluminium staging.

[tonybloke]

I use a pair of tressles and a couple of scaffold boards as staging for early season seeds / plants. these are easy to store when I use all of greenhouse for tomatoes / cucumbers / peppers.

[Lizann]

I bought some really good aluminium type shelving from Ikea that the shelf heights can be adusted on and they weren't too expensive. 

[jesus1987]

Thanks for the suggestions. Any idea what the product line is called Lizann regarding the aluminium Ikea shelving? Sounds interesting. I also have an Xmas Homebase voucher so will have a browse there!

[Paulines7]

 

Right, aside from the remnant topic - I've realised that all of the tubs e.t.c. are just situated on the floor of the greenhouse. What's the best course of action to have some type of elevation (e.g shelving, work surfaces, table) and where can I get such things? Wilko's just seems to have a 4-shelf item which couldn't really be used to have plants on.

I bought some cheap mini greenhouses a couple of years ago and keep two in the greenhouse.  They cost me about £12 each then.
This type: http://www.garden4less.co.uk/4-tier-mini-greenhouse.asp?partner=GL&gclid=CLrViv7suaYCFcoe4QodAVe9Gw

The shelves act as a staging and enable me to put young plants in there from March/April without having to heat the greenhouse.  When the weather warms up, I take off the cover and put fleece over them if necessary to protect the seedlings from the sun.  Once the polypopylene cover is off, I fix canes across the top of the unit and move the bottom shelf on to the canes.  The plants at the bottom then sit on the ground and I have extra space. 

[chriscross1966]

Stick an ad on Freecycle if you have a local one saying you're looking for a couple of mini greenhouses that have lost their covers.... folks will tear your arms off to get rid of the eyesores, you get some free staging.....

There's a company that advertises in all the garden mags with a dreadfully 70's looking ad. THey specialise in plastic greenhouses and carports but they do do very cheap staging 9galvanised steel) ... just wish I could remember the name.... I ended up making mine with fewer shelves cos I felt the stanard set was too cramped, though great when you are doing the take them in at night, put them out in the day thing cos each one takes 20 odd trays.... one lived in my kitchen for monthslast year doing that...

chrisc

[sunloving]

I use an old door and four posts and two runners of greenhouse guttering, Lovely big stage.

Just have a look what youve got lying around or trawl a few skips to see what you can find.

Good luck.

Teegee meant that if you use jeyes to disninfect the soil then dont grow anything in the soil for a couple of months.

x sunloving

[chriscross1966]

The company who's name escaped me was Norfolk Greenhouses BTW

[jesus1987]

I managed to find a decent set of staging on the Wilkinson's site - Only cost £11 so can't grumble. It won't really do justice in the big greenhouse though so i've advertised on the Freecycle as you suggested chriscross. Many thanks.

[pumkinlover]

i just thought you were being tactful ;) chriscross!