Tuesday 23 October 2012

Greenhouses and Cider

 
I don't know if I like greenhouses.
 
I know I don't like the one I have at the moment, it has holes that slugs and snails crawl through, it's glass had all shifted both on the roof and the sides so when it rained it actually rained inside, but not on the plants .... on everything that I didn't want to get wet.
 
It was cold and draughty and although the first flush of seedlings grew well every subsequent sowing I had to watch like a hawk as things ate them, I'm sure a message was passed around pest world that this ancient old greenhouse was back in action.  I even resorted to some slug pellets in the end, not something I enjoy using.
 
Well I've cleaned the inside of it now ready for it's Winter rest, I pushed all the loose panes of glass back into place, I had found some greenhouse glass clips amongst Dad's stash of goodies in his garage so I've been using them to do as many of the repairs as I could.  Now we just have to use some duct tape or something similar to have a marathon sticking session where the two halves of the greenhouse have shifted and the glass simply won't stay in it's groove.  Once that's all done and all the holes are also filled with tape to keep out the whistling gales I will wash down the outside and remove all the white sun shade stuff and then that's it for this year.
 
I don't like greenhouses ....... I'm a polytunnel girl.
 
But I'll give it another go next year.
 
 
#
 
While I was clearing out the greenhouse and doing the running repairs,  Lovely Hubby had a rather nice little job for once.  It was too damp and miserable outdoors to continue painting the Man Shed so he came indoors and bottled some more of his Cider.
 
 
 
He has a nifty little gadget to put the tops on, I wondered how they would go on.  I had a go and it gave me the urge to bottle all sorts of things ..... I don't think bottled Berkshire air would sell well though do you?  Maybe I could say there was a Genie inside (Mum's joke is still in my head...lol).
 
 


I don't know how long we have to wait to drink it, but it's looking very promising.
 
Now I'm off to list some more things on eBay, 10 more possessions less and more space in the house.  It's good this decluttering lark.  I can sell as much as I want as long as it's .......
 
 

 
 
... capable of fitting into one of these.  I found a whole box of padded envelopes and I'm determined to use as many as I can.  It's amazing what you can fit into them if you try!!
 
Sue xx

18 comments:

  1. I would love one of those old Victorian type green houses like this one: http://victoriangreenhouses.com/ Love the details on them.

    Gill in Canada

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    Replies
    1. The old style ones ARE gorgeous aren't they, I may be a convert if I could ever afford one of those!!

      Sue xx

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  2. My greenhouse is just the same Sue.
    A couple of weeks ago I cleared everything out of it and Mike went inside with the pressure washer! Worked a treat on the greenhouse, less so on him. Wish I'd had the camera to hand!

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    Replies
    1. I bet that was a sight to behold....lol Poor Mike!!

      If I tried that with mine on the outside (or the inside) the whole thing would come tumbling down, it is very old and very rickety and barely held together at the moment.

      Sue xx

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  3. Gosh, what I would give for a greenhouse!! You lucky girl. I`d love one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know...I should be grateful, but after having the polytunnel (25ft x 12ft) and learning to grow indoors in that, this is just completely different.

      I'll have a polytunnel again when we move, I have all the framework stored ready.

      Sue xx

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  4. My greenhouse is a spider haven! I've still got cucumbers growing in the bottom bed, and yesterday I planted next year's garlic in pots. I've got onion sets to pop in before winter hits too..might get round to that before the weekend...FMx

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    Replies
    1. I was delighted to find two 6 inch cucumbers when I was clearing out the greenhouse, I ate one with my tea last night and the other one will be for today. You just can't beat homegrown cucumber can you.

      They were actaully the one success story of the greenhouse this year. Just one plant that I managed to keep out of harms way and it romped away up it's string supports.

      Actually I might put in some garlic ready for next year, it will mean it's not a totally wasted space over the Winter.

      Sue xx

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  5. Lovely hubby looks like he's having fun! :)

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes....if he could put a bottle top on it.....he did!!

      Sue xx

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  6. I dream of greenhouses, poly tunnels and space!

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    Replies
    1. It's a decent size greenhouse. I think greenhouse experts buy mail order 'friendly insects' to eat the nasty insects - maybe a line of really sharp gravel around the outside of the greenhouse will deter the slugs from entering next year - hope you persevere.

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    2. Frugal Queen ...I dream of polytunnels and space everytime I turn round and fall over a bag of compost, a sleeping cat or a snoozing dog while I'm in the greenhouse.

      Betty the sharp gravel round the outside is a brilliant idea, I'll do that next year for sure. I just lost the will to fight the little b*ggers this year and succumbed to a large jar of slug pellets that I found in Dad's garage.

      Sue xx

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  7. Not tried beer traps for the slugs?
    Might work with cider as well, be worth a try if you've got any dregs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did try a few beer traps not very successfully in the greenhouse for some reason, maybe they slaked their thirst outdoors befpore coming in for a salad!

      And I'd like to see you try to make Lovely Hubby part with some of his cider for slugs.....lol!!

      Sue xx

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  8. ah, one day you will be Polytunnel Queen again Sue !

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