LolaLayla Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 I have just cleared out my unheated greenhouse and have put my lavender,pinks, fuscia and geraniums in it. Do you think they will survive over winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 It might be worth lining the green house with some bubble wrap to give some plants extra protection. Most of yours listed should be fine over winter. Mine usually are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 15, 2011 Author Share Posted October 15, 2011 Thanks. That would take a lot of bubble wrap Do you think I could just wrap some loosely round the pots? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 15, 2011 Share Posted October 15, 2011 I normally keep fuchsias and geraniums in the unheated greenhouse through the winter, they should be ok. Last year I lost almost everything, but it was an exceptionally cold winter. You could just make a little tent of bubble-wrap, if you want to give some extra protection? One trick I learned last year was that an ordinary pillar candle, burning overnight, can be enough to keep frost away from inside the greenhouse. I've stocked up on a couple of cheap ones - lit at night, and then extinguished in the morning when I go to check on the hens, they will help if there's a really cold night forecast. I will only do that for exceptionally low temps, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 My neighbour does the candle trick too Olly, but found that by placing the candle in a lantern, it stays even warmer, as the metal lantern also warms up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Are you all talking about plants in containers? I'm starting to panic that I'll have to dig up all my vulnerable plants and bring them into the house (not having a greenhouse!) . On the same issue, I was wondering if taking my pots/containers round to the front of the house where it's much more sheltered would protect plants from frost? Would it make much difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 We had -14 this year ANH, so guessing it was colder where you are? It would be worth moving anything in pots to a more sheltered spot and also wrapping the pots in bubble wrap or hessian. Just to give the roots/pots some protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Thanks, Christian, I'll do that . You can get loads of bubblewrap on Ebay so I think I may just stock up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 16, 2011 Author Share Posted October 16, 2011 The plants I am talking about are all in containers. Think I may go for the bubble wrap tent idea and the candle in a lantern. When the weather gets worse I will need to put my box trees in the greenhouse too. Every year I end up buying new geraniums etc so I really want to try to save some for next year. What do you do about ventilation? Thanks for the ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 I wouldn't worry too much about ventilation. Just make sure the plants aren't soaking wet as then the pots crack! They do need to be watered a bit though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I must try to do this before the weather gets too cold, I would love to keep the geranium that has been in the pot outside my front door all summer, it is a lovely colour, I also have a lovely bluish fuschia that I will try to save. I love the candle idea and will give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 you could make a frame then cover the top in horticultural fleece that will let in light and let the air flow then cover teh sides in bubblewrap or more fleece If you have existing greenhouse staging you can use that as a frame for fleece leaving a bit loose at the front for access Another option is to get one of the very cheap plastic greenhouse/coldframes that are usually about at this time of year and then set that up inside your greenhouse leaving the door unzipped a bit to let the air circulate - thats how a lot of people start off sowing early as the plastic greenhouse will be a little warmer than the rest of the main greenhouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 I have some fleece somewhere in the shed that I could use. Thanks for that advice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickpea Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I often bring in my geraniums and sit them on the windowsil and treat them as house plants, its worked for the last few years! I would also add that ventilation over the winter in greenhouses is key, it is often damp & moulds that kill off overwintering plants than the temperature, I open mine up every morning, and shut them up again mid afternoon just as I begin to feel the temperature drop again. Obviously this can be difficult if you dont get back from work til after dark what with the nights drawing in, but try to ventilate every now & again, even for just an hour or so a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Thank you Chickpea. I couldn't find the fleece, I reckon I must have thrown it out However I found enough bubble wrap to go around all the pots. The vents in the green house are closed just now but as the weather has turned a bit warmer I will open them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
