If it gets uncomfortable outside, the greenhouse still has some essential work waiting for you in the fall. Soil care and conscientious cultivation of the earth are now just as important for wintering as cleanliness throughout the interior and parts of the outer shell.
What should you pay attention to in the greenhouse in autumn?
In the fall, the greenhouse should be thoroughly cleaned, the soil maintained, the beds loosened and, if necessary, fertilized, and mechanical damage repaired. Winter vegetables can be sown and frost-sensitive plants can be overwintered.
In the open field, the harvest is already coming to an end, while the sowing of winter vegetables can be prepared under glass. The upcoming relocation of frost-sensitive potted plants and perennials from the terrace can also be considered from October onwards. But first, the covered glass paradiseneeds to be properly winterized.
Cleaning up the harvested bed areas
If the soil has been planted since spring, it now needs particularly careful cultivation. The more thoroughly this work is done, the better the upcoming sowing will grow. Therefore, allremaining plant parts are now completely removed from the soil,which would loosen up the soil. If the last laboratory analysis was more than a year ago and the plants are grown professionally and over a large area, a new assessment with a soil sample is recommended. For smaller houses with up to 15 m2 of usable space, a commercially available soil test set (€9.00 on Amazon) may be sufficient, with the help of which the most important components of the greenhouse soil in terms of nutrients and trace elements can be analyzed. If necessary, moderate amounts of fertilizer or supplementation with thoroughly matured compost can help.
Cleanliness: The be-all and end-all for every greenhouse in autumn
Now that the beds are empty, athorough interior and exterior cleaning is due, because the permeability of the sunlight, which is vital for plants, is noticeable during the summer months due to dirt, dust and rainwater subsided. What else is needed apart from lots of water?
- Water bucket with soft mop
- Dishwashing sponges and wiping cloths
- Garden hose
- Chamois leather
- moderately harsh household cleaner and, if necessary, glass cleaner
- Work gloves and sturdy shoes
- fall-proof ladder
Quickly eliminate even smaller leaks
If you thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your greenhouse in the fall, possible mechanical damage will not go unnoticed. Thedoors, windows and ventilation flaps require special attention, as they must be able to be operated mechanically smoothly and be absolutely airtight and watertight when closed. To do this, thoroughly remove rust from hinges and other metal parts and then repair the areas with a new protective coat. It is best to replace cracked panes immediately, as such damage will only become more widespread in the winter due to the autumn storms or any snow masses and can seriously damage the plants.
Tip
The worn or torn foil on the greenhouse is better replaced completely in the fall, even if you only use it as a cold house and only for overwintering houseplants. However, if the foil greenhouse remains empty, a new covering in the spring is sufficient.
