New greenhouse owner - advice needed on what to do!

[Timmy T]

Hi,

We've recently been given a 10'x6' glass greenhouse, and after some troubled times putting it up we've now got several things growing well. However, we'd like some advice on what to leave inside, what to put outside, and what to feed to the plants.

a, Our tomatoes (planted in grow bags) have really taken off and started flowering (we've some tall types and some low bushy types - sorry, not very technical, I know!). I believe now is a good time to start feeding them, but should we leave them inside or place them outside?

b, On the question of feeding, is tomato feed just for tomatoes, or can it be used generally? Should we use something like Miracle Gro (we found some in the shed) on everything else, or can we use it on the toms as well?

c, Courgette cucumber plants are doing well, but again do we leave in or plant out? Do these grow up (and need staking) or grow along the floor?

d, I've treated myself to a Chilli plant, how do I look after it? Do I need to pick off the side shoots like a tomato plant?

Loads of questions, but I thought it would be better in one post rather than several! If it makes any difference, we live in N Devon and our local soil is pretty heavy with clay.

Thanks everyone, TT

[kizkiz]

Chilli - what variety? Most will just grow, and you can tie them up a stake as they go. Depending on room you can pinch the growing tip out to stop them getting too big.

toms - as with chillis, they need feeding once they start flowering. I leave mine in the greenhouse with the chillis. they will do better, but can go outside if you need the room in there. I rarely pinch out side shoots and end up with a jungle and plenty of toms, but most people will tell you to pinch a few out.

[rustylady]

Hello Timmy, welcome to the Vine.

Tomatoes, cucumbers and chillies do much better kept in the greenhouse, but the courgette will be fine outside.

Cucumbers climb, so will need staking and tying in.

Chillies do not pinch out any shoots, they are bushy plants.

Tomato feed is good for any fruiting plants, just be careful not to splash it on the leaves.

Finally, happy growing, and could you add your location to your profile please? Then it will show up on your posts and save you having to keep telling us.

[Timmy T]

I'm really sorry, but I'm not sure what variety the Chilli is, the label just says "Hot Chilli" and the picture shows what I would call finger chillies on it. what's the best thing to feed it on?

[Timmy T]

Location added, happy to oblige!

[veggiechicken]

Hi Timmy and welcome. Lucky you to have been given a greenhouse! Is it in your garden or on an allotment?
I agree with what the others have said - tomatoes, cucumbers and chillies in the GH and courgettes outside as they need a lot of room. Feed the plants when they flower and start to set fruit.
Make sure its well ventilated when its hot - there may be another hot day before September
Most of all, enjoy your gardening

[rustylady]

You can feed the chilli plant with tomato feed. Is your clay red like the stuff in South Devon?

[Timmy T]

Thanks for the support guys, I really appreciate it! Our greenhouse is in our garden and has been built on a base of old sleepers, so there's plenty of ventilation in and around it.

No, our soil isn't red, but mucky brown. Our veggie patch is about 15' square, and last year (when we first set it out) I must have dug in about 20 barrow loads of well rotted horse manure into it from our muck heap, but it was still pretty heavy. On a visit to Rosemoor Gardens, one of the veggie gardeners suggested that manure would only keep it heavy and to try digging in some compost. I've tried that this year, but it's still rather gooey!

[Two_Sheds]

Courgette cucumber plants

Courgettes, or cucumbers?

[RedThorn]

You got a pic of the base and ventilation?

[Timmy T]

Courgettes, or cucumbers?

Sorry, both, missed out an "and" !!

[Timmy T]

You got a pic of the base and ventilation?

I can take one, trying to post it may be a tad more challenging, although if I do will I get a lot of sucking teeth and "Wouldn't have done that if I were you!"

[Bren In Pots]

I can take one, trying to post it may be a tad more challenging, although if I do will I get a lot of sucking teeth and "Wouldn't have done that if I were you!"

Timmy this thread tells you how to post a photo :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ips_66381.html

[Timmy T]

So here's my sleeper base. I don't know if you can see, but it's located on a bit of a slope, so I've had to build it up at one end to make it (sort of) level. I then drilled some holes in the ally frame to anchor it using some coach bolts.

It's not perfect, and I've had to pack some 2"x1" under the frame in places, but it seems to have worked ok. It's actually made up from the best bits of 2 old greenhouses, so it has 4 opening windows in the roof as well.

We also had a huge pile of wood chip after having some tree work done, so the floor inside has been levelled using that.

[lottie dolly]

Well done,both posting pics,and the job,no mean feat,making 1 out of several,