Fall Tips to Prepare Your Greenhouse

There are many plant varieties and they all require different night temperatures to sustain their growth.

Greenhouse night temperatures

• Cool or frost-free greenhouse 40°-45°F (5°-7°C) is suitable for wintering over frost-sensitive plants and rooted cuttings.
• Warm greenhouse 55°F (13°C) for a wider selection of actively growing plants.
• Hothouse 65°F(18°C) for tropical and exotic plants.

Fall Cleaning

Fall greenhouse cleanup does require a few hours of your time, but it is well worth the effort to provide a pest and disease-free plant environment.

For an aluminum and glass greenhouse, a recommended cleaning solution is a mixture of hot water and a disinfectant such as Lysol, Pinesol or household bleach.

To clean an aluminum and polycarbonate greenhouse the panels need to be protected, so first rinse the greenhouse with lukewarm water. Then, using a mild soap such as Safer soap and a soft cloth, wipe down but do not scrub the panels. Rinse the greenhouse again and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Benches, shelving, plastic trays and pots also need to be cleaned.

Pest Prevention

Prevention is the best-known method of controlling pests and diseases in the greenhouse.

Aphids and whiteflies are the most common pests associated with the garden and greenhouse. To eliminate bringing the pests into the greenhouse from outdoors, it is recommended to wash down the plants with soapy water.

Sterilized soils are used in greenhouse gardening. This soil will prevent diseases like “root rot” for cuttings and “damping off” for seedlings.

Safer Soap is an insecticide spray with active ingredients of specially selected soaps. No other pesticides are added. As soon as a pest is visible, a spray of Safer Soap will help contain any outbreak.

Horticultural yellow strips hanging in several areas of the greenhouse will attract and catch aphids and whiteflies.