Be a glass act
It’s time to get your ‘house in order
IF you’re already lucky enough to have a greenhouse, spend a couple of hours cleaning it now to reap the dividends once spring is well and truly here. Cleaning it will remove any lingering diseases that might return once growing season starts. Choose a dry day and remove everything so you can give it a good sweep out with a stiff brush, and replace gravel or cracked slabs. Check the greenhouse is structurally sound – no broken glass or sticky doors. Insulating tape or sealant can repair smaller cracks but, long-term, it is far safer to replace broken glass. Make sure doors and windows work smoothly and do not stick. A dab of oil will help.
Next, scrub pots and trays in warm, soapy water with a dash of Jeyes Fluid Outdoor Disinfectant. Use a stiff wire brush to get into corners and under rims where pests can hide.
If you’re worried about infection, it’s simpler to replace pots. Brittle, cracked or broken pots should be scrapped.
I chuck any unused compost from last year in my borders and buy fresh for a new growing season, but it’s not a must.
Scrub or sand down wooden trays and benches. Again, use Jeyes Fluid to sterilise them.
Drain water butts and clear them of debris, then make sure your greenhouse is watertight by spraying a hose over it.
Silicone gel can be used to seal any cracks between panes or panels.
Clear gutters and wipe the glass inside and out. Avoid a build-up of moss, dead insects and algae inside the glass.
A greenhouse should not be totally draught-proof because air needs to circulate to reduce condensation. But look for nasty draughts – many plants dislike cold air as much as we do.