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Gardening

Help! When can I go on holiday?

(6 Posts)
Versavisa Tue 04-Mar-14 16:16:05

Thank you cactus69 merlotgran tiggypiro and janerowena though I was hoping that you'd recommend a fortnight in May when the greenhouse could be left to fend for itself! wink

As we usually like driving somewhere in Europe I can see that we shall have to change our habits now. The produce from the greenhouse had better be worth it!

Thanks again.

janerowena Sun 02-Mar-14 23:08:48

No, not September as tomatoes and cucumbers, peppers and so on will all be in full swing then. I always cursed DBH whenever he booked holidays when I knew I couldn't find a greenhouse-sitter. If you can find someone to come in and water it, then September is fine. Not easter because of looking after seedlings and baby plants, not summer because of ventilation and shading and loads of water.

In fact, late October to mid February are about the only times really. grin

I have to have a friend come and stay, I have three greenhouses.

tiggypiro Sun 02-Mar-14 21:45:08

Too late for this year but what about February ? Not many weeds growing, a bit early for sowing most seeds and would be a nice break before all that hard work starts.
Speaking from experience - do not go in April !!

merlotgran Sun 02-Mar-14 18:23:57

I've made the big mistake of agreeing to go to France the week before Easter. A friend usually feeds our chickens and waters plants but I have precious rooted cuttings in the greenhouse that won't be able to go outside until May at the earliest.

It's difficult isn't it?

cactus60 Sun 02-Mar-14 18:15:30

looks like you re going to have to have a winter holiday. I too have no-one to look after plants so I don't go away, other people don't care for plants as we do. I left a tray of seedlings on a friends windowcill and he gave them away.

Versavisa Sun 02-Mar-14 14:12:15

We usually go on holiday in September; it's quieter, cheaper and still warm enough to enjoy.

But this year may be different as I have a new greenhouse. It's unheated and will remain so. I am new to greenhouse gardening but it was something I promised myself when I retired as I want to grow from seed more than I could do before.

I have no one to look after the greenhouse when I am away so what will be the best time to take an extended holiday - may be 3-4 weeks? It has automatic openers on all windows and louvres, and I assume I can rig up an automatic watering system to some degree. Yes? No?

I want to grow salad crops mainly and was thinking they might be over in the main in September?

Any advice gratefully received.