What can I start now in an unheated greenhouse?

[Vince G]

Good tip from the field sec today, as I was bemoaning the fact that I am running out of windowsill space.

He thought it might still be a bit chilly to start some stuff off in my polytunnel, but says he has one of those little mini plastic sheeting greenhouses that people put on their patios, and has that inside his greenhouse. Double insulation!

[Babru]

Thanks all. Some good ideas - I'd better get cracking and give the thing a clean first. I need to sort the floor out too, as it's green and horrible. I didn't realise I needed to seal the concrete, so that hasn't been done.

How do you mean, seal the concrete? Mine is floored with concrete slabs, but I haven't sealed them.

[annie8]

I have slabs too. There are small gaps between them so the water drains away through them i guess.

[Squingy]

I read somewhere that beetroot and peas don’t like being transplanted. Any views?

I transplanted peas by sowing them in loo roll tubes of compost and gently opening the tubes out before putting them in the ground. I just make sure I've opened the tubes at least 3 sides out.

[1Bee]

I have to say I've managed peas in normal sized modules last year, just planted them out with as little disturbance as possible.

Leeks! Gosh, I've forgotten to sow my leeks!!! *rushes off home*

[nickdub]

Thanks all. Some good ideas - I'd better get cracking and give the thing a clean first. I need to sort the floor out too, as it's green and horrible. I didn't realise I needed to seal the concrete, so that hasn't been done. The other problem is it's dead level so any excess water just lays on the surface and algae builds up in no time. I never thought when it was being done, or I'd have had a tiny little slope to it. I'll take a few photos when I get chance and post them in the DIY section to see if anyone's got any bright ideas on how to improve the situation.

I went to buy seed potatoes today, but they'd sold out of Rocket so I'll try elsewhere tomorrow. They went quite well for me last time I tried them.

as to the concrete it might be easier to just spread some gravel over it as that will make it less slippy and when the weather is hot, you can tip some water on it to raise the humidity in your GH.

[nickdub]

I have to say I've managed peas in normal sized modules last year, just planted them out with as little disturbance as possible.

Leeks! Gosh, I've forgotten to sow my leeks!!! *rushes off home*

depends with the peas on how good you are at doing them asap I think - I tend to have periods where I don't do much gardening - so I plan a bit of flexibility in by using deep trays for things like peas and beans - then if I'm a few weeks late, the plants still have a chance.

[mrbadexample]

I've sown some leeks and spring / bulb onions today, but they're on the kitchen windowsill in a plastic unheated propagator. I can't get to clean the greenhouse yet as I've had a cortisone injection in my elbow and been told to rest up.

How about carrots and radishes?

[mrbadexample]

How do you mean, seal the concrete? Mine is floored with concrete slabs, but I haven't sealed them.

The concrete slab that was laid for the greenhouse isn't sealed, so the fine sand comes away when I walk on it. When I get the pressure washer out to clean it, it will also lift the sand away. The surface is porous and absorbs water. I need to seal it to stop this happening. Not sure what I should be using though.

[nickdub]

The concrete slab that was laid for the greenhouse isn't sealed, so the fine sand comes away when I walk on it. When I get the pressure washer out to clean it, it will also lift the sand away. The surface is porous and absorbs water. I need to seal it to stop this happening. Not sure what I should be using though.

Just do a quick Google for "concrete sealant" or nip in to B&Q and ask them - as said I wouldn't bother myself, but that's probably my laziness in non-action.

[veggiechicken]

The concrete slab that was laid for the greenhouse isn't sealed, so the fine sand comes away when I walk on it. When I get the pressure washer out to clean it, it will also lift the sand away. The surface is porous and absorbs water. I need to seal it to stop this happening. Not sure what I should be using though.

How are you going to grow in it, MBE? Pots or what?

My GHs are on concrete so I've planked off 3 sides to make "beds"; lined them with plastic and filled them with compost. There's just a path down the middle and I don't worry about that!

[Lardman]

I use diluted PVA to seal, but it depends on how polished concrete surface was and how water resistant you want it to be. If you want something to actually repel the water if have a screwfix handy item 57474 should do you.

[mrbadexample]

How are you going to grow in it, MBE? Pots or what?

My GHs are on concrete so I've planked off 3 sides to make "beds"; lined them with plastic and filled them with compost. There's just a path down the middle and I don't worry about that!

Pots VC. I've never had a greenhouse with beds in.

[mrbadexample]

I use diluted PVA to seal, but it depends on how polished concrete surface was and how water resistant you want it to be. If you want something to actually repel the water if have a screwfix handy item 57474 should do you.

I was looking at that the other day. Will it be resistant to pressure washing at the end of the season?

[veggiechicken]

Pots VC. I've never had a greenhouse with beds in.

I grow in open bottomed pots on "beds" to make watering easier!