Owning a greenhouse is a luxury and privilege many gardeners dream of. In this special episode, recorded at Torberry Farm in Hampshire, Dan and Julia meet Nelly Hall, Brand Director at Alitex, to discover how to make the most of a greenhouse all year round. As the year draws to a close, Nelly explains how to use a greenhouse to prepare plants for Christmas and get an early start on spring, learning the importance of light and heat. Moving on to summer, we learn about ventilation, maintaining humidity and keeping pests under control before coming full circle to autumn for Nelly's tips on good glasshouse hygiene.

Nelly's top greenhouse gardening tips

1. Good light in a greenhouse is as essential as heat to keep plants compact and healthy.
2. Buy the biggest greenhouse you can - no one ever wishes they'd bought a smaller model!
3. Think carefully about how you want to use your greenhouse to maximise the space and create the right growing conditions.
4. Instal power in your greenhouse, even if you have no immediate plans. It gives you options in future.
5. Consider using solar power to reduce energy costs.
6. Make space for a chair and table so that you have somewhere to take time out and enjoy.
7. Keep sacks of compost in the greenhouse over winter so it doesn't freeze and remains usable in cold weather.
8. Play with a greenhouse to bring forward flowering and cropping to extend the growing season.
9. Use the winter months, when there's less to do, to experiment by taking cuttings and making compost.
10. Be vigilant and don't allow pests to take control - good hygiene is essential in an enclosed space.
11. Don't over-sow and stagger your seed planting to avoid waste.
12. Vents between a greenhouse and a cold frame can help keep a cold frame warmer.

Website links:

• Dan Cooper Garden
• Parker's Patch
• Alitex Modern Victorian Greenhouses

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