Greenhouse Clean

[Tara]

Hi,

We were lucky to inherit a pretty large glass greenhouse when we moved into our home. It and what will be (fingers crossed) our veggie patch, were completley overgrown with bramble. We have managed to clear most of this now and this weekend I want to try and get to grips with the greenhouse. No one has been in it for years, it is full of weeds and the panes that aren't broken or missing are covered in green algae. I am prepared for plenty of hard work but just need a little advice as to where to start.

I would like to be as organic as possible and have read about using EcOver products, but I am a realist and want to know if it will have a hope in Hades of shifting years of green stuff? And on glass does it matter if I use a brush or is scratchy pad ok?

Also, as a total novice I have been reading about sterilising the soil, should I be looking at doing this, or do I just replace whats in the beds?

I really appreciate any advice you can give, what I lack in knowledge I make up in enthusiam (please note that may change after my arms and sholders ache so much I would pay to have them removed ).

Tara

[Two_Sheds]

Get yourself a copy of this:


Personally, I would use Ecover & hot washing up liquid, and a dish brush to clean it. I'd also dig out the top spit of soil and replace it with fresh.
Move onto stronger products if it won't cope.
If you have a build-up of green algae, your greenhouse might be too shady - I suppose it isn't possible to move it to a sunnier spot?

[Tara]

Greenhouse Clean

Thanks for that. I think the reason it is so algae covered was the shade from the brambles. They were literally growing over the top of the greenhouse.

Will keep my eye out for the book and get to work.

Thanks
Tara

[bramble]

When you have finished all the hard work get some smoke cones and fumigate the greenhouse. This will kill all the nasties who have inhabited it while it was lying idle.
Personally, I would'nt go to all the hard work of replacing the soil. If it has been unused for a few years its worth digging in manure and see how it goes after that.
Good luck, you have a lot of hard work ahead but it will be well worth it.