Preparing Your Greenhouse for Fall and Winter
Now is the Time to Plan for Colder Weather
As we near the end of August, now is the time to prepare your greenhouse for the upcoming cold weather. If your greenhouse does not have a heating system and you close it during the winter months, it will need to be cleaned thoroughly and minor repairs completed in preparation for the following spring.
To begin preparing for the winter months, cleaning the greenhouse is necessary. The following is a list of steps to follow as a guideline:
- Remove any plants that are seasonal and will not last in cooler temperatures of a winter greenhouse. Make sure they are not diseased and use them for composting.
- Sweep floors, discard empty bags and throw out chipped and broken containers.
- Declutter and organize your tools and equipment
- Give the floor a good washing with soap and water. Hose the floor down to eliminate any soap residue or left over soil particles.
- Wash the greenhouse glazing with mild detergent and water to allow as much sunlight into the greenhouse during the winter months.
- Wash the framework, benches and any other props used in the greenhouse.
- Remove and wash any shading material.
With the greenhouse clean and decluttered, the next step is to inspect the actual structure. Use the following as a guideline:
- Check the greenhouse glazing to make sure there are no cracks or spaces. There can often be shifting with heat changes.
- Inspect the insulation for any gaps that could have developed and fix them using simple calking or expandable foam.
- Add extra insulation on the north wall for the winter. It is easy to add extra insulation by lining the interior greenhouse walls with plastic sheeting or bubble wrap.
- Examine heaters thoroughly and hire a professional to light the burners if necessary.
- Check exhausts, vents and ducts if you have them.
- Fill oil, propane or gas tanks.
- Drain water lines and cover outside faucets with insulation.
- Use light bulbs to create additional heat where needed.
- Create a heat sink (see previous blog for how-to instructions).
Before outside plants are transferred into the greenhouse for the winter, inspect and insure that they are completely pest and disease free. Bring your plants indoors and your greenhouse is ready for the fall and winter season.
Tip: To rid plants of unwanted pests, take them out of the greenhouse and run the garden hose through the pot for a good 5 minutes or so. This will flush out any pests that may be within the soil. Once that is completed, spray the plant with a pesticide, store bought or home-made, wrap in a plastic bag for 24 hours and that will kill off any remaining pests that were not flushed out with the soil.
About the Author
Shelley Awad Greenhouse Consultant, Shelley Awad, provides everything you need to know about greenhouses. Whether you are buying a greenhouse or you already own one, you’ll learn tips and tricks on greenhouses and how to grow year-round. Questions always welcome.
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