Topic: Unheated Greenhouse

[KevB]

i have an just built an unheated greenhouse and wondered about "two" points (two for now)
1. will it be sufficiently frost free to store bulbs etc. overwinter or will i need to take further measures as well?
2. When would I be able to raise seedlings without heat?

I have a decent knowledge of general gardening but not much under glass! Any suggestions would be truly appreciated. I've really bought this for giving bulbs, flowers and hanging baskets a good start and also overwintering.

[jennym]

I store my stuff like bulbs in a wooden shed without a door (6 ft x 4 ft) and they've been OK - BUT I'm probably a few degrees or so warmer in winter than you. We haven't seen any decent snow for about 10 years here. As for seeds, a lot will germinate in quite cool conditions - lettuce is a good example.
Here is a link which might help you on this point.
http://www.citygardening.net/seedgermtemp/
If I were you I'd copy this into a Word document and keep it.

[the_snail]

I like to sow my tomatoes in Mid Febuary and put them on my bedroom windowsill as it stays at a constant 21 Degrees C. The same with my Greaniums and other half hardy seeds like nemesias etc. Then the other stuff like lettuce I sow in the greenhouse in early march or late febuary and keep warm with a parafin heater to keep frost off.

The_Snail

[Debs]

I use a fan heater in my greenhouse and start my tomatoes off in

mid Feb too. I also begin to sow seeds from end feb or march,

onwards. Next year I shall definitely be starting off my sweetcorn in

this way as it needs a long growing season.

I would recommend growing strawberries in drainpipes suspended

along the inside of the greenhouse, as you get an early crop before

the toms and cukes romp away.

Debs

[Doris_Pinks]

I bubblewrap my unheated greenhouse and overwinter my Fushias, geraniums etc in there, also grow lettuces in the border bit I have.  It works fine for me, I too often start some of the delicates on a windowsill, just to give them a bit of warmth in the spring.  I am in Sussex.

[minx]

I have a small greenhouse, approx 6' high x 4' wide x 3' deep, its a plastic ' mini greenhouse' from Focus.  how much bubble wrap would I have to buy for this - just a rough guess  will do - I'm in Scotland! or should I just take it down and put it up after the winter? 

thanks!

[windygale]

Hi MINX, I think you may be better off taking it down for the winter, because of a few reasons,
1, location, Scotland and as you are aware its a very cold area,strong winds and rain , and loads of snow,
2, construction Plastic, this will not hold much weight of snow, strong winds,
3, heating cost can be high depending where you live,
hope this helps
windy

[minx]

Hi Windy.....yeah thought as much lol.....have to be a real greenhouse next year!!!

margaret

[Shirley]

I live in Central Scotland, and live on a north facing slope.  I have an unheated greenhouse and have not been very successful in overwintering non-hardy plants, so far.  Between October and March the greenhouse is in the shadow of the house and neighbour's fence. This year I intend to group a few fuchsia cuttings together and make a bubblewrap tent over them.  The geranium cuttings I will bring into the house to overwinter, once the temperature falls to just above freezing.

[MikeB]

For seeds, you would normally plant them 6-7 weeks before last frost.

To find the last frost date for your area

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/main/weather.asp

MikeB

[KevB]

Hi Mike
That site is VERY good, just the sort of help I needed!! its got a weekly diary which is a godsend!! Thanks Again
Kev B ;D

[MikeB]

No problem KevB

Didn't know about the weekly diary so thanks for your help

MikeB

[lorna]

Mikeb Thanks from me as well, have book marked the site.. Lorna

[sussexcliff]

I started in July.
My mini plastic greenhouse is on an allotment so no electricity for heating.

We're in Sussex coastal strip (so late first frost and early last frost.)

I have sown Baby beetroot, Turnip and Winter Delight lettuce for Nov Dec picking. Our radishes are still doing well so I have sown some more. Hope to pick late sown dwarf French Beans at the end of this week.

Now I'm looking at the greenhouse, it 'leans' against a south-facing wall which I've just painted white. I will insulate the roof, the east wall and the floor with bubble wrap as I propose to try early Market Horn carrot, more radishes and some spring onions. I hope to over-winter some geraniums and then give an early start to ..... whatever's next on the list.

[KevB]

Thanks Sussex Cliff,
take at look at this gardners diary which i think you will find invaluable!! -

http://gardenaction.co.uk/ 

Cheers

Kev B

[flowerofshona]

If you are storing bulbs ect in there i would be inclind to insulate them in some way ie in a polystyrine box or in a carboard box with bubble wrwp around it but keep an eye for any rot (powedering them with sulphar powder helps prevent this)
Have you though about getting a small parafin heater just to keep it above freezing in there ??
we used to do this in the polytunnel up the allotment and it worked really well :)