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Winter Garden (3)

The inside of Donna's Greenhouse

What Are the 6 Tips for Cleaning a Greenhouse Before Winter Sets In?

Quick Answer:

What are the 6 essential tips for cleaning a greenhouse before winter sets in? The best time to clean your greenhouse is in late fall when plant growth slows, focusing on removing dead plants, reducing watering, clearing cobwebs, washing overwintering plants, and cleaning row covers to prevent pests and diseases. A thorough fall cleaning deters common greenhouse problems like mold, fungus gnats, and spider mites, ensuring a healthier growing environment for the upcoming season. Starting early and cleaning on a sunny day optimizes results and prepares your greenhouse for a productive spring restart.


Its never too early to get a head start

My husband and I planned a mid-week ski trip but on departure day I was still in my off finishing a time-sensitive project. We were staying overnight at the hill, it was still a workday, and the car was loaded up. There was no rush to get moving.

Donna Balzer and her dog

How to Clear Greenhouse Waste? Tips for Small-Scale Gardeners

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Clearing greenhouse waste on a small scale involves chopping bulky plants into smaller pieces to speed composting, using tools like a chipper and rodent-proof compost bins such as the Speedibin for faster, pest-free decomposition. When animal assistance isn’t available, this method efficiently manages large volumes of plant debris, turning waste into valuable compost in about six months. Proper waste management not only keeps your greenhouse tidy but also supports sustainable gardening by recycling nutrients back into your soil.


Arnold is always hungry. And some of his favorite foods are the fruits and vegetables I grow in my greenhouse.  He also eats the plants of the tomatoes and squash I grow. He gently pokes around, licking up the small green fruits first and then chomps down on the whole tangled twisted plant.

Winter vegetables growing

What Are the Tips for Managing & Double Cropping? Summer Prep for Winter Greenhouse

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What are the tips for managing and double cropping in a greenhouse to prepare for winter? Effective greenhouse management in summer involves double cropping fast-growing plants like radishes between slower growers such as peppers, using trap crops like beans to monitor pests, and starting winter-hardy crops early to maximize space and season length. Planning ahead by maintaining seedlings in flats and supplementing nutrients ensures continuous, healthy growth, allowing gardeners to transition smoothly from summer to fall and winter crops. This strategic approach optimizes greenhouse productivity year-round and helps prevent common pest issues.


Surprisingly, Summer is the perfect time to prep for winterization

Managing your winter greenhouse with crops coming and going is a bit of an art form, so please bear with me. It involves starting seeds directly in greenhouse soil and also starting seeds in flats on shelves or potting benches.

Seeds starting to grow

Trial and Error in Greenhouse Growing: Lessons from My Disaster

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What Lessons Can I Learn from Trial and Error in Greenhouse Growing?
Trial and error in greenhouse gardening teaches vital lessons about timing, pest protection, and crop management, such as waiting to turn on watering systems until heat is active and understanding when to harvest crops like quinoa to avoid loss. Experimenting with unusual plants expands your gardening skills but requires research and adaptation to local conditions, including wildlife challenges. Ultimately, growing your own food year-round is about balancing fresh harvests with smart storage and enjoying the unique rewards of home greenhouse gardening.


Trial and Error in Greenhouse Growing

My water wand blew up in the last brutal storm of the season when water froze in my greenhouse. No one was expecting that cold spell but then again we live in a Northern climate and a wintertime greenhouse garden is usually cold. I should have known better.