Winterizing Your Greenhouse
Getting into a routine when considering how to winterize your greenhouse can make fall quite exciting. Instead of imagining that your outdoor gardening days are limited, begin to think that your indoor gardening days have just begun.
As with most new beginnings, a healthy cleaning is always a great start. Taking all plants out, particularly on a nice fall day, can allow a thorough cleaning of the greenhouse framing to take place. Areas and structures such as corners, shelving, floors and benches inside the glass can be disinfected. Wash all glazing panels, lightly, as to not eliminate the UV protection from the exterior. Residues and algae left by plants can infect their air source, so a little elbow grease can go a long way. A mild dishwashing soap and warm water can remove most grit, soils and stains. There are also several citrus and organic cleaners that will leave a pleasing new scent lingering while you work.
After all plants are removed from your greenhouse, it may be a great time to take on any construction upgrades or amendments you had in mind. You can also begin to catch sight of the spaces that are not currently being utilized. Get creative with new shelving, hooks, hangers and supply holds. You may be surprised with the joy personal touches can add to your green space.
An empty greenhouse is also a sufficient reminder to check the status of your heater. Cleaning of the fan blades and filter, as well as confirming the accuracy of your thermometer and electrical outlets can prevent more expensive maintenance in the future. In the case of owning your own digital thermometer, replacing your batteries twice a season can prevent a dying heater, without warning.
In an effort to conserve energy, placing foam tapes around doors and windows, as well as oiling ventilation systems can lower electric bills immensely. There are several new insulation systems out there. It may be of great knowledge to the gardener to check these options out, in preparing for this winter, or next.
What if a winter emergency occurs? It is always good to have a backup, battery-operated heater on standby. If this is not an option and electricity fails, placing large buckets of hot water amongst your greens can be of temporary assistance. Also draping newspaper or brown paper bags over all plants while using buckets, can postpone plant health until the problem is resolved. Some gardeners choose to prefabricate a checklist of what to do in the case of a winter emergency; preparing a storage container of all necessary items.
Before taking plants and flowers back into your greenhouse, remember to spray soil and plants with an organic insecticidal soap. Practicing prevention for critters inside your greenhouse may save time, later. Proceed to restore your space creatively and efficiently, and be sure to enjoy!
The process of winterizing your greenhouse doesn't have to be complicated and in truth, a little bit of time and effort may prove itself not only enjoyable but will help you conserve energy and protect your plants in the long run.
As with most new beginnings, a healthy cleaning is always a great start. Taking all plants out, particularly on a nice fall day, can allow a thorough cleaning of the greenhouse framing to take place. Areas and structures such as corners, shelving, floors and benches inside the glass can be disinfected. Wash all glazing panels, lightly, as to not eliminate the UV protection from the exterior. Residues and algae left by plants can infect their air source, so a little elbow grease can go a long way. A mild dishwashing soap and warm water can remove most grit, soils and stains. There are also several citrus and organic cleaners that will leave a pleasing new scent lingering while you work.
After all plants are removed from your greenhouse, it may be a great time to take on any construction upgrades or amendments you had in mind. You can also begin to catch sight of the spaces that are not currently being utilized. Get creative with new shelving, hooks, hangers and supply holds. You may be surprised with the joy personal touches can add to your green space.
An empty greenhouse is also a sufficient reminder to check the status of your heater. Cleaning of the fan blades and filter, as well as confirming the accuracy of your thermometer and electrical outlets can prevent more expensive maintenance in the future. In the case of owning your own digital thermometer, replacing your batteries twice a season can prevent a dying heater, without warning.
In an effort to conserve energy, placing foam tapes around doors and windows, as well as oiling ventilation systems can lower electric bills immensely. There are several new insulation systems out there. It may be of great knowledge to the gardener to check these options out, in preparing for this winter, or next.
What if a winter emergency occurs? It is always good to have a backup, battery-operated heater on standby. If this is not an option and electricity fails, placing large buckets of hot water amongst your greens can be of temporary assistance. Also draping newspaper or brown paper bags over all plants while using buckets, can postpone plant health until the problem is resolved. Some gardeners choose to prefabricate a checklist of what to do in the case of a winter emergency; preparing a storage container of all necessary items.
Before taking plants and flowers back into your greenhouse, remember to spray soil and plants with an organic insecticidal soap. Practicing prevention for critters inside your greenhouse may save time, later. Proceed to restore your space creatively and efficiently, and be sure to enjoy!
The process of winterizing your greenhouse doesn't have to be complicated and in truth, a little bit of time and effort may prove itself not only enjoyable but will help you conserve energy and protect your plants in the long run.
