Spring
As this is the highest of the double greenhouses leading off the central run it is the hottest of them. Not only does the heat rise up to it but it also gets less shade from the surrounding wall and mature trees around the edge of the greenhouse complex.
Globe artichokes growing at Witton Greenhouses. Photo by Kirsty Tyler.
Most of the plants in the beds down the centre of this greenhouse are planted with annual vegetable plants. These are plants which need to be grown again from seed each year such as tomatoes, chillies, basil, beans and cucumbers.
There are some perennial plants such as the large Globe Artichoke and Garlic Chives in the first bed which will come back each year despite dying back in the winter.
Indigo being grown at The Greenhouse Project for the Homegrown Homespun project. Photo by Kirsty Tyler.
The beds down the sides of this greenhouse are full of Japanese Indigo. These plants are being grown to make a dye for the local Homegrown Homespun project which is passionate about sustainable textiles and grows flax in Blackburn. The fibres of the Flax plant (stored in bundles called stooks in the very top greenhouse) are used to make linen - this is a traditional industry that existed in Britain for centuries!
Anyone interested in getting involved in the Homegrown Homespun project can do via the link below:
