Shutting Down a Greenhouse

Autumn is well and truly with us now - the large greenhouse was still full of tomatoes up to this weekend (although they were definitely past their best), and with the promise of frost it was time to move them out, and move in other things that needed the protection of the greenhouse over Winter.

It took a while to strip out the old tomato plants - picking the fruit which was still in good condition - trying not to breathe in too much mould from some of the plants / fruit that were starting to rot - deconstructing the framework of canes which had supported everything. Eventually I ended up with one nice clear greenhouse, into which the two tubs of potatoes being grown for Christmas were duly moved.



And in the house, I now have a large box of green and semi-ripe tomatoes - beefsteak, plum, and cherry - which kept in their box in the dark, should ripen over the coming weeks.



The small greenhouse is still busy ripening chillis at present - the intention being to try and preserve the best of the plants over the winter (apparently they should last for a few years if the frost doesn't get them). A couple of peppers remain, but they weren't really that successful, while the cucumbers continue to rampage in one corner (although we're well and truly fed up with cucumbers now!). Will clear out the peppers and cucumbers in the coming weeks, but we live in hope that the remaining two or three peppers may yet ripen - if not they'll join the tomatoes in the box!