In order to grow healthy plants in your greenhouse you will need to carry out some routing maintenance to keep it in good condition.
By looking after your greenhouse you will also prolong its life and ensure it remains looking attractive in your garden or allotment.
You should maintain a weekly cleaning routing and carry out an annual deep clean to help control pests and diseases.
Unfortunately although a greenhouse provides ideal growing conditions for many plants it is also the perfect environment for many diseases that are harmful to plants.
If not kept in good condition greenhouses can fall into disrepair and you are potentially at risk from broken glass, trip hazards and faulty electrical equipment.
Regularly check your greenhouse for any broken or cracked panes of glass and make sure the frames aren't damaged.
Aluminium greenhouses will need less care than wooden greenhouses which should be treated with a preservative or non-toxic paint.
Check for any signs of damp or rot and plane down any rough edges.
To ensure that maximum sunlight can enter your greenhouse you will need to clean the glass.
You can use a bucket of warm water and wipe down with a sponge leaving it to dry naturally.
If you find a lot of dirt has collected in the joints then a pressure washer or jet-wash attached to your garden hose should dislodge it and you can then wipe it away.
To prevent the spread of pests and diseases which will thrive in the warm, damp conditions make sure you regularly prune and pinch out your plants and keep a look out for fungi, aphids and mildew.
If necessary use an organic pesticide to rid your greenhouse of any unwelcome infestations.
Before you start a thorough clean turn off any electrical equipment such as heaters or irrigation systems and cover the plug sockets.
Unless it is very cold, remove all the plants and place outside wrapped in a protective fleece.
Take this opportunity to check each plant for dying leaves and any other signs which could indicate pests.
Throw out any old grow bags and compost and sweep the flood.
Wipe down the surfaces of shelves and staging with a mild disinfectant.
Wash the windows inside as well as the brickworks and floor before replacing the plants.
If you are concerned about any electrical equipment do not try and mend it yourself but call in a qualified professional.
With a little care your greenhouse will be the ideal place for your plants as well as making an attractive feature in your garden.