Tips for Maintaining your Greenhouse
Being more sustainable is a big movement at the moment, and one of the most rewarding ways to do so is by growing your own fruit and vegetables. You don’t need an enormous garden or vegetable patch to grow your own, and a greenhouse of any size is a highly effective way to grow produce, as you can control the temperature, humidity and water distribution more evenly.
You don’t need to be a professional gardener to own a greenhouse, but they do require some maintenance to ensure your plants can thrive. If you’re thinking about investing in a greenhouse, see our tips below for how to keep them in the best condition possible.
Keep on top of pests
Garden pests are one of the biggest threats to your plants, so it’s important to keep on top of pest control. Prevention is better than cure, so check each plant for pests before you introduce it to the greenhouse. If pests have infiltrated, then they can multiply quickly as it’s a contained area; but that also means that they can be eliminated quickly too. You can purchase many sprays that will kill pests without harming the plants, or try introducing a predator to kill them off e.g ladybirds to remove aphids.
Clean regularly
It’s important to regularly clean and sterilise the surfaces on your greenhouse; this can be done with just soap and warm water or a specialised cleaner if you prefer. Fumigating once or twice a year can also help deal with pests and insects that can harm your crops. You should also spray mildew if and when it appears, and ensure surfaces are dry when not being cleaned. Watch out for condensation build up in between the window panes as well, as this can lead to mold and mildew growth.
Check your water systems
The connecting lines and hoses of your watering system should be checked every few months to make sure they’re reaching all the plants effectively. Hoses should be replaced if they become cracked, and you can run the water through at a high pressure without the cap on to remove any build up of dirt or soil.
Heat control
British weather can be unpredictable, but there are ways to help control the temperature in your greenhouse to encourage plants and crops to thrive. Regularly clean the outside panes to let in more sunlight, and if you have space, plant some deciduous trees around the greenhouse to provide shade in summer and sun in winter. You could also paint shelves and surfaces black to retain heat, or install a second door to control draughts.
If you’re looking for the perfect greenhouse, then check out the range at Kirton Sectional Buildings. We have a variety of high-quality timber and glass greenhouses, in a range of sizes and shapes. With optional extras including roof vents, cladding and more, you can ensure your plants thriving. For more information, see our range of greenhouses on our website.