A yearly clean boosts light, wards off pests and disease, and makes every crop do better. Here's the efficient way.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
A greenhouse gathers grime, algae and over-wintered pest eggs surprisingly quickly, and each coats exactly the light your plants need. A thorough clean once a year – usually in early spring – is one of the highest-value jobs you can do.
Clear out pots, staging and plants (or work around them carefully), and open everything up. A bright, dry day is ideal. Removing the clutter lets you reach every pane and see exactly where the grime and any infestations are hiding.
Glazing is the priority – even a thin film of film of algae and dirt noticeably cuts the light reaching your plants. Wash inside and out with warm soapy water (or a specialist cleaner) and rinse, and wipe down the frame and staging too. Clean glazing is worth a surprising amount of extra growing power.
Blocked gutters and vents are common culprits for damp and poor airflow. Rake out the gutters, and make sure every vent and the door seal opens cleanly and properly. Good airflow prevents the stale, damp conditions disease loves.
Finish with a suitable disinfectant or greenhouse wash over surfaces, pots and staging to knock out lingering pests and spores. Let it dry before you put plants back, and you've given the whole season a clean, healthy starting point.
From garden maintenance to a full maintenance-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
