Green house useful during winter months

Press, 25 June 1981, Page 13

Green house useful during winter months

More than in any other season, green houses come into their own in the winter. They are invaluable for growing and raising seedlings for both the vegetable and flower gardens. As well, they help condition house plants and allow a variety of ornamental shrubs and trees to grow. A number of out of season vegetables can also be grown with remarkable success in even the most modest of green house structures. Tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, lettuces, aubergines and capsicum grow well when given the extra warmth and protection provided by a green house. • Many different types of green houses can be built but it is important that they are designed to receive maximum available sunlight. To some extent, protection from strong prevailing winds is also necessary. Green houses aligned east to west with a roof angle of roughly 45 to 60 degrees generally trap maximum available winter sunshine and heat.

If the green house is unduly shaded or situated in a position where sunshine hours are limited, the problem is difficult to correct so angling the green house is important. Ventilation is important when building a glass house. Ventilators must be positioned so there is no stagnant or dead air within the building. Air movement is important for the control of many troublesome diseases, in par-

ticular Botrvtis or grey mould. If the air can circulate freely, stagnant air pockets are largely eliminated. Ventilators should be situated at the eaves, sides and ends of the green house if they are to be efficient. Hygiene is another important aspect in caring for plants in a green house. Benches and. pathways should be constructed of sterile building materials which can be cleaned and scrubbed down occasionally.