Like the entire allotment garden, winterizing the foil greenhouse is also on the agenda for all garden lovers. Particular attention should be paid to the absolute tightness of the outer skin and its tight fit as well as the supporting elements made of wood and metal.
How do I winterize my foil greenhouse?
To make a film greenhouse winter-proof, you should check the outer skin for leaks, repair any damage, clean the greenhouse thoroughly and secure windows, doors and ventilation openings against animal intruders. Check winter hardiness regularly during the cold months.
Even if no use is planned between late autumn and the first days of spring, the film greenhouse itself should be winter-proof during this time. Particularly vulnerable in winter conditions, i.e. heavy frost and heavy snowfall, the foil covering, but also the wooden or metal frame, has to bear significantly more weight than during the gardening season.
Preparation for winter begins in autumn
The last warming days of the year should therefore be used for a careful tour to inspect the plant house for visible damage to the outer skin. There are often small cracks near the scaffolding struts, especially near the ground, which need to be repaired before the onset of winter. However, commercially available fabric adhesive tape is not suitable for this. Even for smaller repairs, it is better to use a slightly more expensive, butspecial UV-resistant adhesive tapeGreenhouse film also tends to tear near the ground if pegs have been driven in to secure it. In this context, such problematic areas should be checked particularly thoroughly.
Only a clean foil greenhouse is winterproof
That's why you should send your valuable greenhouse into hibernation as cleanly as possible. Earth, dust, rain and sun leave their mark on even the highest quality film over time and are easier to remove in autumn than the crusts that form later and become annoying in spring. It's best to attack the dirt with a garden hose; the water will soften it. After that, you usually just have to work on the particularly stubborn areas with a broom or mop that is not too hard. Lukewarm water and a little household cleaner make this work much easier.
Secure windows and doors against animal intruders
Even if the outer shell of the film greenhouse seems winter-proof, many pests and rodents will be looking for a warming hiding place in the coming weeks. It is therefore best to check all windows, ventilation openings and doors for complete tightness, not just now, but at least every two weeks during the winter.
Tip
Watering cans, whether full or empty, but also other liquids should not be left in the greenhouse in winter to be on the safe side. And as far as the garden tools in the tent are concerned, they can now be cleaned so that they are available rust-free again for the start of the new gardening year.
