Spring is just around the corner. If you have a greenhouse, February is a great time of year to make sure the glass in the windows and doors are given a good clean. Add washing greenhouse glass and glazing to your list of gardening tasks to do this month.
By cleaning the glass, you’re helping your plants to thrive. All the germinating seeds and tender plants being overwintered will get maximum light to enable them to grow well. As well as greenhouses, it’s also a good time to check and clean the glass on cloches and cold frames.
I suggest choosing a mild, dry, sunny day. Not only will it be easier in dry weather, but it will help things to dry quickly. Additionally, this will minimise stress to any plants being overwintered in the greenhouse.
Washing greenhouse glass
Fristly, remove everything being stored or grown under glass, including portable shelving units. Then, take a sponge with warm, soapy water to thoroughly wash all panes of glass, both inside and outside. Then rinse off with clean water. Use a long-handled sponge to clean the panes of glass out of arm’s length reach, rather than a ladder for safety reasons.
It’s important to remember to clean the glazing, both inside and out. Also, if you’re doing this as a job throughout the year, this is also the opportunity to wash off any shade paint that was put onto the windows to control sunlight.
Doing a thorough clean will give the chance to check for any breakages or damage from winter weather. Then you can make or plan any repairs to ensure the greenhouse is in the best condition for the rest of the year.
Next, check ventilator glass and remove accumulated debris using the thin edge of a garden label to scrape the debris away.
Also, thoroughly wash stored seed trays and pots to rid them of any accumulated slug and snail eggs.
Cleaning greenhouse guttering
It’s also ideal to check greenhouse guttering. It’s likely to have accumulated leaves and other debris which will stop free flow of rainwater.
Put on some protective rubber gloves and run your hand along the length of the inside of the gutter to collect any leaves or debris. If needed, use a stick or wire to unblock any downward gutters. Once the debris is cleared, spray the guttering or wash it out with water. Any debris that’s been collected can be added to your compost heap mix.
If your greenhouse gutter is connected to a water-butt, here’s a top tip to stop any debris from collecting in the water-butt. I suggest that you attach an old pair of tights to the end of the gutter. This will allow the rainwater to pass through whilst collecting any leaves or fallen debris to prevent blockages.
Once you’ve finished, you’ll be amazed at how much extra light penetrates the greenhouse and other glass clad growing items. Wash greenhouse glass and other glazing to give your plants the best access to light over growing season to help them thrive.
Find out more about growing veg at home:
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David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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