Work plan for preparing the greenhouse for winter

The importance of preparation

The main purpose of the greenhouse is to protect the crops from cold, drafts and heavy rainfall. The design provides constant optimal conditions for the growth and fruiting of plants. However, favorable conditions are not only for plants, but also for some types of pests. Also, a warm and humid environment promotes the development of weeds, which draw nutrients necessary for planted crops from the soil. It is also possible that any fungal spores may get in, which can perfectly survive the winter and destroy the seedlings in the spring.

One of these factors may be sufficient to destroy the crop. Therefore, the foundation for a successful future harvest is laid in the fall by means of general harvesting and final processing of all parts of the greenhouse. The work on the preparation of the greenhouse is carried out in two main directions: preparation of the soil in the beds for the next season and disinfecting treatment of construction details (frame, coating material).

Video "Preparing the greenhouse for winter"

In this video, a specialist will share recommendations on how to properly prepare a greenhouse for the winter period.

spring-cleaning

After harvesting, the beds must be freed from the remnants of annual crops. For cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, remove the remaining aboveground and underground parts. The remnants of the fruit are also removed. It is best to burn them or bury them outside the site. With perennial crops, the situation is more complicated. They must be carefully checked, damaged, dried or rotted parts removed.

If most of the plant is damaged, then it is removed by the root. And next season, new ones are being planted in their place. It is important to remove not only crop residues, but also weeds. Most of them are perennial, so you need to carefully check the land for their presence.

Earthworks

When growing annual crops (vegetables, berries, flowers), the topsoil must be removed annually. Replacing the soil and its further processing is the most difficult task, on the correct implementation of which the result of the future harvest depends. Usually, at least 15 cm of the top layer is removed, which, after disinfection, can be poured onto open beds, flower beds, and into the garden. Instead of the removed layer of soil, fresh fertile soil is poured. Fresh fertile soil can be purchased or prepared yourself. Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages.

It is faster and easier to buy ready-made soil, but one cannot be completely sure that it contains all the necessary useful components. There are times when land taken from another greenhouse is sold as new soil. This option is completely unprofitable: the soil is not only completely depleted, but can be infected with a pest or fungal spores.

The second option is to prepare the soil yourself. It is more labor-intensive and will take more time, since the soil must meet certain criteria: correct structure, high degree of nutritional value, absence of mineral salts, neutral pH-level, level of moisture content.The classic soil composition for a greenhouse consists of raised peat, river or lake sand, compost or humus.

Disinfection

Pests and fungal spores tolerate winter well in the heifer. Their place of refuge can be not only the soil, but also the details of the structure. That is why disinfection must be carried out in a comprehensive manner.

Tillage

According to the advice of experienced gardeners, it is necessary to disinfect the soil in three proven ways: treat with bleach, fumigate with sulfur, and spray with a special solution. Bleach is scattered over the bed and spread along the ground using a deep rake. For fumigation, sulfur is mixed with kerosene and set on fire in the far corner towards the exit. The greenhouse is then closed for a few days.

You can also use sulfur checkers. Sulfur fumigation is only suitable for tall structures with non-metallic frames, as the fumes emitted can corrode the metal. As a solution for spraying, diluted copper sulfate, aqueous formalin, lime (4%) and creolin (2%) are suitable.

Frame and cover

During sulfur processing, disinfection is carried out not only of the soil, but also of all parts of the greenhouse. Frameworks are processed depending on the material from which they are made. Metallic ones are washed with boiling water with the addition of vinegar, painted over with enamel. PVC can also be treated with a vinegar solution, but with a temperature not exceeding 60 ° C. It is recommended to use copper sulphate (10% solution) for wooden frames.

The finish of the coating also depends on the material. The plastic film is washed with soapy water, disinfected with copper sulfate and dried. Glass can also be treated with a solution of a bar of soap (high in alkali content) and boiling water. Polycarbonate cannot be treated with active alkali. It is recommended to use an intense hot solution of potassium permanganate.

It is important to thoroughly rinse all hard-to-reach places in which danger in the form of infections or pest larvae can hide. After disinfection, the greenhouse must be dried and ventilated.

Sowing useful plants

To disinfect the soil, fertilize it and improve the structure, green manures are planted in the ground in the fall. You can use white mustard, vetch, phacelia. The grown siderates are left for the winter without embedding in the soil, although some gardeners prefer to cut the plants and cover them with soil for the winter.

Warming

If you plan to use the greenhouse in winter, you need to take care of its insulation. Depending on the type of construction and covering material, you need to choose the best insulation method for your greenhouse.

Basic Rules

To provide comfortable conditions for plants and not damage the structure, you must:

• strengthen the frame;
• insulate all parts of the greenhouse (foundation, vestibule or door zone, and the entire structure as a whole);
• use the best option for your type of greenhouse (heating, air gap, insulation with expanded polystyrene);
• take care of disinfection of the materials used for disinfection.

Materials (edit)

Greenhouses are insulated in various ways and materials. For glass and polycarbonate greenhouses, heating systems are used whenever possible. A more economical option is insulation with expanded polystyrene, another layer of film or polycarbonate with an air gap. In the off-season, you can use plastic water bottles lined up in rows, which, thanks to the sun's rays, will absorb heat during the day, and give it away at night.

Do not be lazy to prepare the greenhouse for winter in the fall according to all the rules, and you will be guaranteed an excellent harvest!