Grow Your Own Magazine

I insulated my greenhouse overwinter with bubblewrap, and haven't quite got round to taking it down yet - i was wondering if i should (to increase the light penetration) or keep it on (to give some shade)?

Or - should i leave the stuff on the roof on, and take the sides off??

Any ideas??

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There's vegetable growing in the family, but I must be adopted
Happy Gardening!

Had this conversation with my OH who put up a "temporary" plastic greenhouse inside my main greenhouse......... guess who doesnt want to take it down, or should I say, won't take it down! So its there - it provides shading when the sun is too hot and hopefully is OK when the sun doesnt shine! Not perfect I know - but dont have another option. Bernie

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Protea, I left mine on last year. Some things were disappointing and I had problems with condensation and humidity and botritis. This year I've taken it down and am much more pleased with the results. It just all feels much healthier. AND my aubergines have set fruit and look great. Last year the fruits rotted with the humidity.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

i took the roof stuff down ages ago but the stuff round the sides only came down about a month ago.. definately much brighter in there but mines in partial shade so i suppose it needs the light more

I'm fed up of hanging around your greenhouse!! SET ME FREE!

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I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.
W. C. Fields

Oh Bubblewrap - i was waiting for you to appear!

Alice - thats interesting you had issues with humidity - i actually have problems keeping it humid enough in there! Its only 6x6' so quite small and i have the door, roof window and louvres open fully in the day and shut the door and roof window fully or partially at night, depending on the temp.

I haven't had a problem with botrytis, although i have noticed some downy mildew on some cauli seedlings - but not on anything else (i've got chillies, toms, and arange of other bits in there, inc insectivorous plants). It does reduce the light a little bit, but then it is in full sun so perhaps this is a good thing? my chillies certainly aren't doing as well this year (the ones that were inside the house all the time are much better than the greenhouse ones) but i've put this down to the rubbish cold wet weather.

Hmm.....will wait and see i think

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There's vegetable growing in the family, but I must be adopted
Happy Gardening!

Always take mine down so that I can give the greenhouse a good clean and let the air circulate properly. I prefer to use netting for shading which I put up after I've given it a good airing.

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?