greenhouse base

[2dogs]

hi all
i picked up a 8x10 greenhouse at the weekend but the galvanised base that came with it is past its best.
i was going to dig a spade wide footing around the edge to support it,
that way i could maxamise the space and grow in the ground as-well.
but i was told that the soil would go bad!! is that right?
would i be better with the entire floor concreted or could i just change the soil now and again?

[john boy]

hi 2dogs it depends on what you intend to grow,if toms are your main crop you`ll need to change your soil every 3 years.a better method would be to use bottomless pots sitting on gravel [ring culture] or if you wanted a solid floor you would have to use growbags.i use ring culture its the easiest way to get watering right,just remember to sterilize the gravel yearly.hope this helps

[2dogs]

hi john boy.
thanks for the advise
being new to this," ring culture" is not something ive herd of before
but seems like a good approach.
i want to grow chilli, cucumber and the like. as i seem to find toms impossible to grow! they look great right up until picking. then the all go brownie black, shrivle up and die!
i can feel another question brewing!

[Derek180538]

John Boy is right. This part of the world (S.E./London/Kent) suufers with tomato virus, which is the problem you appear to be having. This year, I used the ring culture method again (I used to use it every year for tomatoes, just to protect the soil in the bed, but I guess I must have got lazy) and we had our best year ever!
Good luck
Derek180538

[john boy]

hi again 2dogs thought this link may help


Ring culture - Frequently Asked Questions - topical advice

[2dogs]

hi derek
i did a search for tomato viruses and disease, and the only thing i can liken it to is blight!
weather im right or not is another thing.
hi johnboy
thanks for the link, it helped alot.

[kate1983]

Hello everyone,

How are your plants this winter? How do you taking care of them? I am always wondering what to do with my plants and usually I just bring home as much as I can. But I see that you are using greenhouses - how do they work at winters?

Best regards
Kate