UNDER COVER

We've all heard of a spring clean, but a thorough autumn clean can be just as powerful, particularly in the greenhouse.

COLLECT MORE WATER

After the warmer months you may find water butts running low or empty. How often did they dry up and could you do with installing more? Rainwater is naturally best for your plants and a greenhouse roof is the obvious place to install the means to collect this precious resource. Water butts set up now will have all winter to fill up, leaving you with a fresh cache of the wet stuff by spring.

If you need to install guttering, look out for gutter kits specific to your greenhouse - check with the manufacturer. It is easy to source your own though. Measure the length of the roof, buy enough gutter to fit or saw to size. You will also need an end stop, downpipe, and brackets, screwed to the greenhouse frame, to hold the gutter in place. Raise the water butt on to a stand or blocks so you can get in with a watering can.

AUTUMN CLEAN

We've all heard of a spring clean, but a thorough autumn clean can be just as powerful, particularly in the greenhouse. As summer crops come to an end, seize the chance for a good clearout. This will deny pests and diseases places to hide out the winter.

Old compost should be removed from the greenhouse. Dump it on to beds or add it to the compost heap along with plenty of fresh material. Dead and decaying foliage should also be taken outside for composting. Spick and span is the order of the day to break the cycle of problems.