Autumn is now in full swing – the trees have started to turn orange and our coats have come out of our wardrobes as wind and rain prevails. For some, the idea of getting out into the garden is becoming less and less appealing. However, there are quite a few jobs gardeners will need to prioritise to prepare their pots for winter, plus ensure their plants are in the best shape for the start of the growing season next spring.
Chloe Plumstead is an allotment owner and has been sharing her gardening journey online. The passionate gardener, who has grown a huge pumpkin in time for autumn this year, has said that she has been inundated with questions about what she is doing in her greenhouse this winter.
Chloe, who boasts over 30K followers on TikTok and more than 120K on Instagram, said she cannot believe how quickly the colder months have come around. At the end of September, she took to TikTok and said: “The fact that we’re fast approaching October is almost giving me whiplash because it feels like only a few weeks back that we were sewing our spring seeds. I have to surrender to the order of things.”
She added: “I’ve had a few questions about what I am going to be doing in my greenhouse over winter so I thought I’d just quickly run you through my plans.”
Tomatoes
As tomato season will come to an end this month, it means it is time to harvest any remaining green tomatoes to ripen indoors, and then cut down the plants.
Chloe said: “I’ve still got the last of my tomatoes going behind me and I’ve topped them and taken off most of the foliage to give the green fruits the best chance of ripening.”
Chloe said if they don’t ripe it’s “no biggy” as she makes a green tomato chutney every year. “So I do kind of need some,” she noted, adding: “But once the tomatoes are out I will be replacing them in pots with Florence fennel which I have already sown. I’ve never grown fennel before in the greenhouse but I absolutely adore eating it so hopefully that will work.”
Preparing for Christmas
Choe said she is preparing for Christmas now, by getting her potatoes ready.
Chloe said: “I also have my Christmas potatoes in big tubs outdoors and I’ll be bringing those into the greenhouse when it starts to really get wet, just to avoid potato scab.”
Getting ready for next year
Chloe also noted that she has a lot of flower seeds that she has sown recently, ready for next year so those will be staying in the greenhouse.
Chloe said: “I also have my scented pelargoniums. Even though I had them in the greenhouse, two out of three died from cold, so yes I will be giving them extra protection this year, but also they will be staying in.”
“Finally, I will bring in any herbs that I have in pots, just to try and give them the best chance of surviving,” she added.
Cleaning
Chloe said she also likes to do a deep clean the interiror and exterior of her greenhouse in winter. It is a good way to clear out debris, disinfect areas and remove dirt, mold, and pests
Chloe said: “I also do like to clean the greenhouse in winter, so internally and externally. Hopefully that’s helped.”
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