Clean the greenhouse
Here are the different cleaning tasks you can tackle in October before the bad weather sets in:
- If, during the summer, you have installed shading systems in your greenhousenow is the time to remove them as natural light levels gradually decline as winter approaches.
- It may also be necessary to clean the windows, using white vinegar, for example. Although this may seem unnecessary to you, it is not, as it will allow you to maximize the light inside the greenhouse.
- You carry out a thorough cleaning of your greenhouse to avoid the development of diseases during the winter. This involves cleaning the floor and shelves. You can take the opportunity to wash and then store the pots on the shelves. When cleaning the floor, remember to lift the pots and growing boxes to check that they are not serving as a hiding place for a few slugs or snails. This is important because they could quickly destroy your seedlings.
Maintain the plantations
To maintain a healthy space, cleaning your plants is just as important as that of the greenhouse itself. This will prevent the development of parasites and diseases. This involves the methodical elimination of dead or yellowed leaves, as well as wilted flowers. You must also ensure that no crop residues remain in the greenhouse.
Carry out regular watering
If, in October, it is still necessary to carry out regular watering, it should not be too important however. In fact, the plants are no longer as active and the temperatures are lower. Watering in a greenhouse is therefore necessary, but it must remain moderate in order to avoid the development of diseases. If you notice excessive humidity on the walls, consider ventilating the greenhouse.
Install winter protection
A basic greenhouse, that is to say without a heating system, allows you to protect the plants during the winter, sheltering them from rain, snow, wind and minor frosts. . She allows to gain between 2° and 5° relative to the outside temperature. But if it’s really cold outside, it can freeze even inside your greenhouse. To avoid this type of inconvenience, it is possible to implement certain tips:
- You can therefore install winter sails or thin insulation based on aluminum directly on your plants or seedlings.
- If your greenhouse is small, it is possible to install insulation on the walls. To do this, you can attach bubble wrap to the walls, inside, for example. Be careful not to use a material that blocks too much light.
Optimize space
When you invest in a greenhouse, it is often to have a place to sow seeds, but also to overwinter your outdoor plants that are sensitive to the cold when the bad season comes. In October, you will, little by little, bring your plants in. To avoid piling them up too much or sticking them to the windows where they could suffer from the cold, consider install shelves or hangers which will allow you to save as much space as possible.
Book the highest locations with the coldest plants. Furthermore, be sure to leave enough space to be able to move around easily and access each plant. This will allow you to monitor them and water them if necessary.
Carry out seedlings in a greenhouse in October
At the beginning of October, there is still time to sow fast-growing winter vegetables. You can sow winter salads. These are resistant varieties capable of growing during the fall, such as lamb’s lettuce, arugula, etc. You can also sow beans, peas, beets and turnips.