Advice for new greenhouse owner please

[NotPercyThrower]

Hi, I have a greenhouse on order and need to massively up my knowledge of how to effectively use it. I'd like to grow my own plants from seed, rather than rely on buying plug plants. I'd also love to grow tomatoes, which often struggle in our garden.

I have grown a lot in the garden, but never started things off in the greenhouse, so am a real novice. I assume I need some seed trays/pots, appropriate soil/compost for growing. Stick the seed in, water, feed and then transplant when ready. Is it that simple?

I've read about people keeping soil warm somehow in the early months? How does that work? I haven't bought a heater, although considered it.

Also, what do people recommend using the greenhouse for after the seedlings have grown? Tomatoes are in, what else?

I'd love to learn more to make use of my forthcoming purchase. All advice gratefully received and don't worry, you can't patronise me. Thanks

[Scarlet]

Hello and welcome NotPercy.
Tomatoes aren't frost hardy. You need to sow tomato seed indoors and keep them in a bright position until the night time temps are above 10. As you live near me probably the end of April. Until then, you need to bring them indoors during the nights that frost or cold nights are forecast.
There are more cold tolerant veg/flowers that you can sow or bring on in the greenhouse during spring to get a head start. Broad beans, lettuce, brassicas etc

[Scarlet]

How big is your greenhouse? I just use mine for tomatoes, chilies peppers, Cape gooseberries in the summer. Bringing on seedlings during spring. Lettuce, kale cabbages when the tomatoes come out.

[Jungle Jane]

I would love a greenhouse for indoor cucumbers,peppers & melons. If you put some French marigolds by the tomatoes it helps deter whitefly,there's something about marigold root that makes them not want to nest near it. Also if there's a sneaky slug theres more chance they'l go for the marigolds making a meal of them,like a trap crop,once you notice any marigolds eaten,the slug will be there the next night for you to dispose of. Some people plant a grape vine on the outside & train it through to the green house,so the vines are inside,think it was shown on gardeners world once.

[Scarlet]

Thanks JJ, I forgot about cucumbers! I couldn't be without those in the summer...

[Jungle Jane]

I've grown a carman cucumber in my kitchen the last few years,I prefer them to market more. I just need a greenhouse.

[Scarlet]

I grow carman in the greenhouse. Have you looked on freecycle? I had a 12x8 given to me.

[Small pumpkin]

The only advice I can give is order your second one now because no matter how big your greenhouse is you will want another one before the growing season is finished .
You will also spend a lot more time in there than you ever thought possible. It's a great place to relax. What ever you do, enjoy your new greenhouse

[NotPercyThrower]

Thanks all. My greenhouse will be 10ft 5 by 6ft 8. It's a swallow kingfisher. So when do people start putting seedlings out in their greenhouse? Also how about how to keep the soil warm; does anyone do that?

[Jungle Jane]

I don't have much space for a greenhouse though,although i do look for one every year & try & work out where would it go.
About compost,I start plants off in my house with either seed compost or multi purpose compost (you can sift out the wood lumps for tiny seeds). I keep a couple of bags of compost indoors,one in the kitchen,one by the patio door or anywhere,then it's not freezing cold. You dont need a heater if you can start things indoors & then put the plants in there when the temperatures ok?

[Scarlet]

I don't warm up the soil in the GH. Most of the plants I grow are started off in small modules indoors. All my tomatoes are germinated in a heated propagator. Pricked out and moved on to small pots, then moved on to bigger pots until the weather is warm enough to plant them in the GH borders. Usually this isn't until May at the earliest.

[Scarlet]

So when do people start putting seedlings out in their greenhouse?

See post #2. Toms can stay in the greenhouse during the day and moved indoors if night time temps are forcast below 10. When night Temps are consistently above this they can stay out overnight. Chillies prefer it warmer although they are similar to toms.

What else do you intend to grow?

[veggiechicken]

I don't heat the soil but I do use a heated propagator in the GH to start seeds of tomatoes, cucumbers and other tender plants. Once they've germinated I leave them in there with the heat off.
However, I have seedling peas and broad beans in the GH now and pickable lettuce, spring onions, rocket and some other salad stuff.
It really depends on what you want to grow as to when you start it off.