[SPUDMIESTER]

Hi All
Hope fully this week my new greenhouse will arrive after spending the last two weekends preparing the base with three beds round left,back and right with a path down the middle. I'm just wondering how to start the borders off ie: break the compact soil up thats already there a foot deep, then would it be ok to put the contents of my compost bin in, then some soil from the allotment mixed in multi purpose compost ? Or is it better to fill with sterilised bags of soil that cost a fortune?   

[mumofstig]

Hi ya, lucky you with a new greenhouse

Yes just dig the soil and improve it with whatever you have to hand. Doesn't have to be perfect as you'll probably start feeding them with tomato food as soon as the first truss of toms sets.

You should dig the beds out and replace with different soil (not necessary to buy in sterilised soil though) every few years, so you don't get a build up of pests and diseases.

[SPUDMIESTER]

Thanks mumofstig I am lucky to have a Dad with short pockets.Plus it will save me earache not taking up the dining room with a pasting table full of seedlings and chitting spuds.
Do  youplant lettuce in between the toms? Do you sw your own cucumber seeds or buy all female plants?

[mumofstig]

I grow basil and tagetes (french marigolds) in between the toms to stop the whitefly....... lettuce and other salads I only grow in the greenhouse in winter, planting them after the toms are cleared

I grow my cues from seed and had good results last year from 1 called Tiffany, which is an all female variety.....but there are lots out there to choose from. good luck

[DavidT]

This may sound daft, but, what size greenhouse is it and what size base have you put in?

[SPUDMIESTER]

David - Its 8'x6' from Halls - they sent me the base sizes via e-mail so it's all ready to put up as soon as it arrives - can't wait.

[DavidT]

Glad they gave you the base sizes because the greenhouse will be slightly bigger than 8` x 6`.

[Aidy]

I use a raised bed in mine, dig the soil to break it, add a good layer of rotted muck then top it with compost, after you have finished in autumn, dig out the used compost and spread it on your plot. Here is the odd photo of mine last year..

and

[8doubles]

I never use homemade compost in the greenhouse but that is only because my compost always seems to have a million keel slugs in it.

[SPUDMIESTER]

Looks good Aidy - What varieties have you in there?

[Aidy]

Looks good Aidy - What varieties have you in there?

I only grow three flavours, the yellows are golden sunrise, reds are shirley and at the back which you cant see to well is tigerella. I am still eating the shirleys, I tried oven drying them, and they are very good.
Edit: I have just built the same bed system in my other greenhouse for the chillies and cucumbers.