Cleaning the greenhouse as Summer ends

[Aberdeenplotter]

The white will reflect the sunlight and actually keep the greenhouse cooler just when you need it warmer.

[VirginVegGrower]

I've started clearing mine. Mainly tomatoes. They didn't do too well this year as I tried to put too many plants in and of course didn't have enough light or space to do well. I'll go back to what I usually do. Red spider mite had taken hold of the cucumbers so have removed lots of leaves. Would a Sulphur candle kill these off? Never used one before just washed out with *****. Would need to do on a cold day to ensure auto vent doesn't open as couldn't face disconnecting it as I always get in a muddle with it.

Rather than disconnecting it you should have a turn screw wheel at the end which if turned fully should result in the vents staying shut.

[WendyC]

OK I'll try that. I had to replace the cylinder a while back and what should have been a simple job got me in a right pickle. Now I try to leave well alone.

[Mr Salty]

Just hijacking/resurrecting this thread... In terms of Greenhouse cleaning, when's the best time to use a sulphur candle? Presumably if I used one now (once the GH is clear) all the creepy crawlies would move in over winter?

[Two_Sheds]

What creepy crawlies are you avoiding? I don't use sulphur or anything nasty, just good old-fashioned hot water & vinegar (it's a disinfectant), and a brush to get in all the cracks

[pauco]

Well just made a start on the G/H winter clean up. It's got a groved wooden floor which can be a pain to clear, so got the garden vac in there as the suction mode is great, ok so i forgot it had a duel function So tomorrow a new coat of wood
preserve on, then a wash down with jeys fluid, and yes i will wait till the floor dry's


paul.

[Mr Salty]

Well I've just come to the end of my first year using the GH and towards the end I had all sorts in there, but the most annoying were the little red mites that crowd out the buds on the chilli plants. Now I've de-loused 'em and taken them inside I just presumed the done thing was to nuke the inside ready for next year...

[Aberdeenplotter]

I'm told this stuff " VITALITY PLUS " sorts out red spider mite

[Mr Salty]

Thanks I'll check it out if they come back. I did try the soap solution but it was tough to get right, too weak and it didn't do anything, too strong and it kind of dries the leaves out. Having said that, when I gave them a squirt of the stronger stuff, it did clear the plants enough for me to de-mite them by hand and take them indoors.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Just finnished my cleaning routine today. All inner surfaces cleaned with *****, concrete floor bleached and painted, just the exterior to jet wash in the spring and away we go again.

Colin

[binley100]

I still have stuff growing in there........Aubs , chillies (some have been moved up to the conservatory) , christmas spuds, fig trees, olive tree , pomegranate bush and fuschias ......p'haps I can put them out while i give it a scrub down ..

[Bren In Pots]

Mines the same as Binley plus I've got winter lettuce in the borders as well so my greenhouse will be getting a spring clean instead.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I sometimes think an early spring clean maybe better, but I can't stand the thought of some little bugger surviving winter in there.


Colin

[Dead Dogs]

I've cleaned out all the toms from the greenhouse, at last. Planted up the beds with the leftover onions and garlic. Can never have too many onions or garlic. Also have Pak Choi, Radish, Carrots and lettuce growing, so will wait until the spring before giving it a good clean.

[VirginVegGrower]

Just finnished my cleaning routine today. All inner surfaces cleaned with *****, concrete floor bleached and painted, just the exterior to jet wash in the spring and away we go again.

Colin

Hiya Colin - plan to do mine today as weather looks OK. Have been distracted of late...sick hen...but now getting back on track, so empty out ***** and a candle planned. Then some repainting to do.