By Matthew Biggs for Hartley Botanic
Photographs courtesy of Hartley Botanic
It is not always practical to grow everything from seed so make two lists: one of plants to sow and another to buy as ‘plug plants’, then do your research to compare prices before ordering. An advantage of ‘plug plants’ is that they save Greenhouse space and reduce heating costs, too.
Indoors or in the Greenhouse, make early sowings of tomatoes at 65°F later in the month and onions under gentle heat early in January. Sow Radish, Spring Onions and ‘cut and come again’ baby leaves in pots or troughs of peat free multipurpose compost for early salads.
Tradition 8 Planthouse – Sheffield, UK
If you didn’t sow your broad beans last autumn, January is the ideal time to sow seeds in the Greenhouse for an early harvest. Sow them on edge 2-3” apart and 1” deep in deep trays of peat free multipurpose compost or individually in 3” small pots. Put them in a cool frost-free Greenhouse or coldframe, then harden off by putting them outdoors in a sheltered spot in the day and bringing them back into the Greenhouse at night before planting in early to mid-spring. Low growing ‘The Sutton’ and ‘Robin Hood’, are ideal for exposed sites, taller ‘Aquadulce’ and ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ are ideal for sheltered spots.
Victorian Lodge – New York, USA
Sweet peas can be sown now. Lay a sheet of kitchen towel on a dinner plate, moisten it with water, put the sweet pea seeds on the paper, cover with another layer of kitchen towel, carefully drain away the excess water, then put them in a cool room. Leave them overnight or for a maximum of 48 hours until the live seeds will start to swell, then transfer them into 3” pots of multipurpose compost or Rootrainers so there is plenty of space for a strong root system to develop.
Strawberries that were lifted and potted up last summer, can be brought into the Greenhouse. Place them near the glass for maximum light. Once they start flowering, pollinate them by hand, transferring pollen from one flower to another using a fine artist’s brush. Keep the compost moist and feed with dilute tomato fertiliser every two weeks to encourage flowering and fruiting. They can then be hardened off and planted outdoors later in the season.
Only water if plants show signs of stress, remove leaves showing signs of grey mould immediately, control pests like whitefly and red spider mite if they appear in warmer periods. Ventilate on warmer days but close vents before temperatures drop, usually by mid-afternoon at the latest.
Detach the main stems of Greenhouse grapes from their frame and scrape off the loose bark, then use winter wash on the stems to control pests like red spider mite and mealy bug.
Protect plants in unheated Greenhouses with fleece and remove the fleece during warmer days. 70g fleece, provides protection to around 23°F, 30g fleece protects plants to about 26°F and standard 17g fleece provides protection to just below freezing. The added protection of the Greenhouse will protect plants, too.
All Hartley Botanic’s Glasshouses and Greenhouses are handmade, bespoke, and made to order. Customers interested in purchasing a Hartley Botanic Glasshouse visit: www.hartley-botanic.com or call 781 933 1993 for more information.
By: Natalie Carmolli for Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs
A Freely growing rose garden has plenty of natural charm, but thoughtful plant pairings can make your roses stand out even more. To learn more click here for an informative article.
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