INSULATION and heating are keys to success in the greenhouse. Keeping plants alive and protected from frost won’t take a lot of heating as our winters seem to get milder and stretches of several days below freezing point are getting rarer.

To save on heating, group your plants in a small area of the greenhouse and then build around them another plastic shelter. You can also help to store the heat generated by the sun if you install a black water butt inside the greenhouse and fill with water. This will absorb and store a certain amount of heat during the day that is gradually released at night.

If you want to germinate seeds in the greenhouse then you need a heated propagator that will maintain the correct temperature. Remember the earlier you start, the more your heating bill will be.

TOPICAL TIP

When severe frosts are forecast cover tender plants with matting, newspaper or fleece to ensure their safety.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Pick sprouts and dig parsnips and leeks as required. In some areas of the South East the dry summer and autumn will mean that crops which mature in winter didn’t have the natural moisture to grow to a reasonable size. Expect to pay more than average in the supermarket for vegetables this winter and plan to grow even more of your own for next winter.

Don’t be tempted to sow vegetable seeds outdoors in January, not even parsnips. The soil is likely to be too cold to encourage germination and even if you have cloches to keep out the winter’s worst, wait until the end of February. Instead, spend the time digging the area to improve soil structure. Add organic matter as you dig to all areas other than those that are to grow root crops such as carrots or parsnips that tend to fork if their roots find fresh manure.

SPROUTS OUT

The stems of sprout plants tend to rock in the wind and loosen their hold at root level. This encourages blown sprouts that are useless for cooking. To encourage good buttons heel around the stems to fill in any gap that may develop.