DIY Greenhouse Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential to keep it in good condition for as long as possible and to keep a level of cleanliness and hygiene inside the greenhouse.

Checking the panes - Routinely inspect windows, doors, vents, and covers of your greenhouse, especially after high winds or after a storm. Cracked or broken panes should be replaced immediately to prevent endangering you and your plant, and to avoid losing heat and humidity inside your greenhouse.

Check the frames - Wood frames, treated or not, should be checked regularly for termites and decay. Check for rusting if you use metal frames. Repair rusted metal to prolong the frame's life and make sure to coat exposed metal with layers of paint to stop metal deterioration.

Clean the floor - Concrete floor are easy to maintain. Sweep any dirt or dry leaves first and hose the entire area with water. Use mild soap and scrub to remove stains or stuck objects from it. Make sure that you have a good drainage system, especially if you have gravel or wood flooring to draw out any excess water as a result of daily watering. Dirt flooring can turn into mud if you do not provide sufficient drainage system too.

Clean the panes - Use warm water and sponge to clean the outside panes. It is best to do this during a fairly breezy day. Let the wind dry the glass panes without leaving too much watermarks on the surface. Clean the inside panes using warm water and sponge as well. If the outside temperature is not too cold, take the plants outside to better clean the interior panes. This is the perfect time to inspect each plant for damaged or infected leaves and discard plants that are dead or dying.

Equipment maintenance - Essential items such as ventilation, irrigation and heating systems should be checked regularly to keep the environment inside of your greenhouse working properly. Any damage should be repaired immediately. Containers, capillary matting, staging, containers and pots should be sterilized regularly to prevent disease and lower the risk of infestation. Insulation should be checked for leaks to prevent unnecessary heat loss and to keep pests and rodents out.

Cleaning the inside of the greenhouse regularly not only provides a healthy living environment for your plant, but gives you with a clean and pleasant place to work. Regular maintenance meanwhile, extends the life of your greenhouse and keeps you from future repairs.