A Spring clean for your greenhouse

For the experienced gardener, preparing those open spaces for the onset of the spring season becomes easier as each year goes by. This is partly due to the fact that some jobs are on an annual repeat cycle, and as a result they become almost routine. There are some tasks, however, that require attention every few years instead, and one of the most important is cleaning the greenhouse.

The best way to give your greenhouse a thorough clean is by emptying the whole area first. Obviously, this can be something of an onerous task, but all of that effort is worthwhile in the end. When you’re left with a spick and span greenhouse that’s ready and waiting to be filled again, you’ll be able to reflect on a job well done.

Once you’ve emptied the interior, you can start on the cleaning process itself. If the structure has guttering outside, hook out all the leaves, moss and general gunk that will have accumulated. For the best results, it’s a good idea to simply don a pair of gloves and use your hands. Once it’s been cleared, use a hose to wash away the remaining debris.

Let all that wonderful light in!

The greenhouse frame, windows and struts will need a good clean as well. You can do this with any of a variety of commercial cleaning materials, of course. Windows should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out, in order to let as much light in as possible. Take care when cleaning the panes, because one or two could easily have become loose over a period of time.

Before cleaning the floor, make sure you sweep the area clean first. For best results, a good quality pressure washer will be ideal for the cleaning. If you have wooden benches in your greenhouse and they are looking a little worse for wear, it’s a good idea to thoroughly wash them down before putting them back. It may also be beneficial – depending on their overall condition – to apply some varnish or wood preserver at this stage.

Needless to say, if you weren’t happy with the way the greenhouse was laid out previously, now is the ideal time to make a few changes. Before replacing everything once the cleaning has been completed, have a think about the optimum layout for your needs. This is the time to take into account issues such as having access to everything with ease, and not having to lean across plants and suchlike.

When the Summer season comes along, you’ll be so glad you made the effort to give your greenhouse a new lease of life. And when you say yes to the type of garden design Perth and Kinross can be proud of, you’ll be even more delighted. Call Brown Earth Landscapes today on 01250 884 342 to find out more. We hope to hear from you soon.