The conservatory as a winter plant sanctuary

Beechgrove Gardens Jim McColl has been writing in the Aberdeen Press and Journal about how those who love to grow their own fruit can look after their plants through the autumn and winter months with the use of a conservatory.

Aside from being a pleasant place to relax with views of the garden and streams of natural light, the conservatory can be a great place for keeping and growing plants.

Peaches, nectarines and berries are just some examples of the fruit that can be grown in a conservatory, while grapes are another option.

Mr McColl does suggest that the plants are well ventilated – especially during the day.

"The reason," he writes, "is to get the foliage and shoots well ripened off and to induce the plants to go into dormancy because they need several weeks of downtime to complete the annual growth cycle properly."

"Once the vines are properly dormant, the glasshouse itself can be used for holding other plants or for growing on winter flowering plants which required only frost protection – bulbs, for example."

A conservatory can act as a multi-purpose room that ads an extra dynamic to the home.