Autumn Preparation Of The Greenhouse For The Winter. Part 2

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

We continue the conversation about how to properly prepare the greenhouse for winter after the summer season

Fertilizing the soil in the greenhouse

Pay special attention to preparing the soil for winter, which includes fertilizing it.

At the end of all work, you should very carefully dig up the soil. To enrich the fertile layer, humus, peat and manure are used. Take these proportions - half a bucket of compost per 1 square meter. In addition, potassium sulfate or superphosphate must be added to the soil. Once you have analyzed the soil, you can use minerals, based on what crops we will plant in the spring. Sprinkle the soil with sand or ash on top, based on the calculation of 1 liter of composition per square meter, cover with straw.

Greenhouse insulation

The best way to insulate the soil is to use the fallen snow, covering the greenhouse area with it evenly. The long-awaited spring will come and the snow will melt under the rays of the sun and saturate the soil that has dried up during the winter. The next step will be to flush the greenhouse walls and frame. If you have a removable film covering, then it is better to rinse it before dismantling, it will dry out faster and better. For washing, we will use ordinary soap solutions available to everyone, they certainly will not damage the film, for example, a composition of laundry soap. The coating can be disinfected with a solution of copper sulfate. After you have thoroughly dried the film, it should be carefully folded for storage in a dry and warm room.

Greenhouse disinfection

The design of the greenhouse should be carefully treated with a solution of bleach, we take 400 g per 1 bucket of water, be sure to insist it for 3-4 hours and mix well. A regular brush will serve to apply lime. If you have a non-separable glass or polycarbonate greenhouse, then they are also washed in the same way. Another important point: never use harsh chemical detergents, sharp tools and iron brushes. We treat the wooden floors with copper sulfate and a solution of freshly slaked lime, and objects and containers, such as boxes, shovels and cups, should be scalded with boiling water, thoroughly cleaned, dried and removed until you need them.

Strengthening the greenhouse structure

So the turn came to strengthening the frame. During the winter, a large layer of snow can accumulate and it can damage even a greenhouse made of strong galvanized steel. The bearing capacity of the greenhouse structure is a maximum of 500 kg per square meter, therefore, we need to strengthen the greenhouse frame with additional arcs, which can be made independently in the form of the letter "T". Of course, it will be effective if you can fix the ridge, that is, the upper part of our wonderful greenhouse.

How many props are needed? If the length of your wonderful greenhouse is 6 meters, then only 3-4 devices will be enough. You will also need to take into account that the proximity of fences and wind threatens the greenhouse with the formation of snow "caps", which means that in some places you may need two or three times more supports. To avoid being buried in the ground, it is enough just to put something solid under the base. The props can fall and for this we fix them near the top crossbar. In winter, do not forget to clean off the snow that has fallen out of the greenhouse. If there is not much snow, sometimes it is enough just to knock on the inside with your fist. Do not use hard objects for work, they can damage polycarbonate or glass, which will reduce its light transmission and UV protection.

Dug up and fertilized soil, cleared of diseases and pests, will create favorable conditions for the development of vegetable crops. A well-groomed and clean greenhouse will serve you and please the eye for many years. And Lady Nature will give you a rich and tasty harvest!