protecting outdoor enclosure over winter.....

[Mighty_Quinn]

I've put Quinn's outdoor enclosure frame work and cold frame into the shed for winter as we always get a few days of heavy snow but now I'm not sure what to do .........

A) Throw some seeds onto the earth and see if anything grows during the winter for next year?

B) Cover with some tarpaulin and leave

C) Cover with some slabs like a lid

But would option B &C mean that some spores would grow in the dry environment under these as I see from the inside of the cold frames white spores/powder has formed on top of the soil which I've dug out and cleaned the frame thoroughly


What do the experienced folk do?

[emma_mcraf]

I take out anything wooden such as their tortoise hides, remove their baths and pots, etc, and these go in a plastic box in the cellar to stay clean and dry.
I then scatter weed seeds and some flower seeds(pansy, nasturtium) over the ground before putting clear tarpaulin over the top of the lids of the enclosures, with some slits to let in a little rainwater and stop it pooling on the top.The enclosures don't dry out as they draw up water from the ground and the clear tarpaulin lets in light.
This seems to work for us. It keeps the enclosures clear of the falling leaves and winter debris. The weeds seem to grow well in the spring, giving the torts a nice lush enclosure to enjoy when the weather warms up. I've never had any spores develop before.

[burnt toast]

Originally Posted by emma_mcraf

I take out anything wooden such as their tortoise hides, remove their baths and pots, etc, and these go in a plastic box in the cellar to stay clean and dry.
I then scatter weed seeds and some flower seeds(pansy, nasturtium) over the ground before putting clear tarpaulin over the top of the lids of the enclosures, with some slits to let in a little rainwater and stop it pooling on the top.The enclosures don't dry out as they draw up water from the ground and the clear tarpaulin lets in light.
This seems to work for us. It keeps the enclosures clear of the falling leaves and winter debris. The weeds seem to grow well in the spring, giving the torts a nice lush enclosure to enjoy when the weather warms up. I've never had any spores develop before.

Emma I was planting seeds this week in pots, dotted around the house walls outside, but plan to scatter them in their enclosures too ( once I have finished collecting all the leaves!) I have Campanula seeds, & not sure if to plant them now or wait till spring? Do you happen to know?

Sorry for hijacking your thread Quinn

[sandy]

Originally Posted by burnt toast

Emma I was planting seeds this week in pots, dotted around the house walls outside, but plan to scatter them in their enclosures too ( once I have finished collecting all the leaves!) I have Campanula seeds, & not sure if to plant them now or wait till spring? Do you happen to know?

Sorry for hijacking your thread Quinn

Campanula seeds need the cold to help them germinate:0)
My coldframes stay out all year as they are aluminium and I don't get mould in them, as they have good air circulation. I have weeds growing in them already:0) I also scatter seeds this time of the year, because some seens need the cold to help them germinate.

[emma_mcraf]

Originally Posted by burnt toast

Emma I was planting seeds this week in pots, dotted around the house walls outside, but plan to scatter them in their enclosures too ( once I have finished collecting all the leaves!) I have Campanula seeds, & not sure if to plant them now or wait till spring? Do you happen to know?

Sorry for hijacking your thread Quinn

I would try some of them now Lynn but perhaps keep some back for the spring as a backup plan should they not germinate.

[burnt toast]

Thanks Emma/Sandy.. not planting anything today its chucking down here today!