branches – this will be roughly the size of the rootzone. Then
dig a trench around the circle and loosen the soil with a fork.
Time for the annual clean
Using a spade, dig under the rootball so that it can be lifted.
s ! R E G U L A R C L E A N I S V I T A L T O M A I N T A I N T H E S T R U C T U R E O F Y O U R
When it is separated from the soil surrounding it, tilt it to
greenhouse, particularly if the frame is made from wood and
prone to rotting. Dirty windows affect sunlight levels - less
one side and spread a piece of ground sheet or hessian
light can lead to seedlings becoming straggly.
beneath it.
s 4 H E I D E A L T I M E F O R C L E A N I N G I S N O W B E F O R E S P R I N G S O W I N G A S
Grab the sheeting or hessian and carry it to the new spot this will remove over-wintering pests and diseases.
that should have been prepared already. Don’t drag it – this
s 4 R Y T O C H O O S E A M I L D D A Y A S Y O U W I L L H A V E T O O P E N T H E D O O R S
is where you’ll need help to carry it. and vents to clean them thoroughly. You don’t want icy winds
Carefully lower the shrub into the prepared hole, which
damaging valuable specimens.
should be the same depth as the rootball but twice as wide
s / N C E T H E P A N E S O F G L A S S A R E D R Y I N S U L A T E T H E G R E E N H O U S E W I T H
and already watered. Fill up with soil, firm the soil carefully
bubblewrap to protect any plants you are overwintering, and to
encourage the greenhouse to heat up more rapidly in the spring.
with your foot and water in well.
s # H E C K T H E P A N E L S F O R A N Y B R O K E N O R C R A C K E D G L A S S 4 H E Y S H O U L D
Make sure that there are no air gaps and apply a mulch of
be replaced.
organic matter all round the base. Keep it well watered, and
s # L E A N T H E I N T E R I O R B Y R E M O V I N G A L L T H E C O N T A I N E R S P O T S A N D
it should grow away again.
shelving/staging.
And hopefully it’s in the right place this time.
s 3 W E E P T H E m O O R T O R E M O V E A N Y D I R T A N D S P I L L E D S O I L
s # O L D W A T E R S T R A I G H T F R O M T H E T A P C A N S H O C K Y O U N G P L A N T
It’s time to get the
roots. So keep a watering can full of water inside the
greenhouse to ensure you have a supply of warmer water.
s 4 H E P A T H S A N D B R I C K W A L L S S H O U L D A L S O B E S C R U B B E D W I T H C L E A N
greenhouse ready
water and disinfectant.
s 3 T E R I L I S E C O N T A I N E R S S T A G I N G P R O P A G A T I O N B E N C H E S A N D
capillary matting - although replacing capillary matting each
Your best chance to get the season off to a good start lies in
year is better.
getting your greenhouse ready.
So spring cleaning in the greenhouse is one of the most vital
but also kill off any overwintering pests and their eggs.
jobs of the spring.
Sweep the floor and then use one of the algicides, or
It’s surprising how much dust and dirt accumulates on glass
permanganate of potash, to shift the green deposits of algae,
even in dry weather. Poor light makes seedlings struggle and
using a stiff brush to get rid of it all. Scrub the staging, and if
results in tall, straggly young plants that will not do well.
there is any gravel on it, brush into a sieve and swill it clean
with some water.
Any capillary matting can be washed in the washing machine
or by hand. If you have soil borders on the sides of the
greenhouse floor for growing tomatoes, for instance, it is
worth replacing it if it has been used to grow the same crop
for several seasons.
That way you’ll reduce the risk of blight and other disease
such as fusarium of tomatoes that can stay in the soil.
Generally, throughout the year you should be checking for
unhealthy looking plants and plants with dead leaves. Never
leave dead or diseased plants among healthy ones. Always
pick off faded flowers and leaves immediately, rather than let
them affect the rest of the plant and others around them.
It may seem like a lot of hard work, but good greenhouse
hygiene will pay dividends later in the season when it is full
of healthy plants. And if the weather turns warmer, make
sure that the ventilation is good – and that you shut it
down at night again when the temperature drops.
The greenhouse may be fairly empty if you only use it
for starting off plants or extending the season, and this
obviously makes the job easier. If you over-winter large pots
with delicate plants, move them out on a mild day or put
them under the staging if you can and cover with polythene.
Wash the outside and inside of the greenhouse thoroughly.
There are several suitable disinfectants including Citrox, Jeyes
Fluid or Armillatox. Keep to the manufacturers’ instructions
when making up the solution.
By doing this you will not only remove the dirt and grime
and give the greenhouse maximum light for plants to grow
Country Gardener
39
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