How to clean the inside of a polycarbonate greenhouse in the fall

Garden tools

To ensure your greenhouse lasts for many years, it needs to be properly prepared for winter. To do this, you need to figure out the best way to clean the inside of a polycarbonate greenhouse in the fall.

Disinfection of greenhouses

Before the first frost, it's time to clean the inside of your polycarbonate greenhouse. This should be done in the fall. The better the walls are treated, the better the harvest will be next year. This cleaning removes dirt, soil, and plant debris.

Important!

Disinfection of greenhouse structures and plastic elements, sprinklers and other devices is carried out immediately after the plants enter dormancy.

Before winter, it's important to thoroughly disinfect the greenhouse to prevent pathogens and pests from surviving until next season. Sulfur and potassium permanganate are commonly used for this purpose. These are better than washing the inside of a polycarbonate greenhouse in the fall.

Finely ground sulfur mixed with potassium permanganate is spread on metal elements, evenly distributed in several places on the growing site, and ignited. Sulfur candles are also very popular. Sulfur combustion should be carried out at a temperature of approximately 20°C, and approximately 100 kg of sulfur and 40 g of potassium permanganate are required per 100 m².

After burning, approximately 24 hours later, the area should be thoroughly ventilated, and plant debris should be carefully removed. Clean, clear glass allows more light into the greenhouse, which is essential for crop growth.

Therefore, it's important to regularly clean the greenhouse walls, both inside and out, to remove rust, dust, and other contaminants from the glass. A special cleaner is used for this purpose.

Composition of the cleaner

Copper-based products are commonly used in gardening. Copper sulfate-based products can also be used for treatment.

Hydrogen peroxide (37%) can also be used; you'll need to purchase a canister. Hydrogen peroxide is diluted 1:10. It can be used for metalworking. It has a bactericidal effect and removes rust.

Hydrogen fluoride-based glass cleaners are very strong and also produce vapors when used. The released substances are toxic to humans and harmful to crops. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly ventilate the greenhouse after using hydrogen fluoride.

These vapors can also damage neighboring crops, especially bulbous plants like freesias and lilies during aeration. This should be taken into account. A safer alternative for greenhouses and those working there is bleach and a solution of potassium permanganate.

Another solution is ammonium bifluoride. This salt can be used to remove rust, algae, moss, and dust. Ammonium bifluoride-based cleaners are gentler and don't produce fumes. Therefore, they are safer for both people and garden crops.

Important!

Cleaning products do not disinfect the walls. To remove bacteria, viruses, and fungi, use a disinfectant.

Greenhouse treatment process

The cleaner can be applied manually using a spray gun or with a greenhouse roof cleaner.

Advice!

Always use appropriate personal protective equipment when handling cleaners as directed on the label.

After applying the product, wait 10 to 15 minutes maximum. Never leave the product on longer than recommended, as it will dry and could damage the glass. Therefore, the product should be promptly removed with a strong stream of water in the appropriate amount.

Soil cultivation

First of all, the soil should be free of debris, plant particles, and insects, so the surface layer of the substrate (5-7 cm) should be removed. Then, the soil should be tilled and fertilized. Straw or agrotextile can be used to cover the soil.

Growing plants in winter

You can grow plants in a greenhouse year-round if it's heated. This is important for plant growth not only in winter. Heating in the spring allows you to enjoy your harvest sooner, in the fall it extends the growing season, and heating a polycarbonate greenhouse ensures the safety of winter perennials.

Insulating a greenhouse saves energy; you can lay transparent film on the walls. In very cold temperatures, you can also cover the walls with straw mats.

In an unheated greenhouse, temperatures drop below 0°C, but we can easily control the soil moisture. This approach is beneficial because cleaning the structure requires less intensive and frequent cleaning.

Accordingly, you don’t have to rush into deciding what to wash with. polycarbonate greenhouse inside in the fall to quickly get it in order before the frosts.

A polycarbonate greenhouse becomes an optimal place for overwintering plants, which need to remain dry during the dormant period, as excess moisture can cause them to rot.