Preventing Greenhouse Diseases
4 Ways to Keep Your Greenhouse Clean and Healthy
Growers know that diseases and infections must be avoided at all costs, otherwise the entire crop could be destroyed.
We also know that it’s easier to prevent problems than to fix them; therefore, it’s better to stop diseases from getting into your greenhouse than try to stop the spread once it’s already entered.
The best method of prevention? Keeping your greenhouse sanitized.
Harmful pathogens, fungal spores, bacteria, and nematodes can lie dormant in many places throughout your greenhouse. Keeping up with cleaning will minimize the number of pathogens and reduce the risk of disease and infection spreading. Here are four ways to keep on top of sanitization:
1. Completely Clean Out Your Greenhouse Between Crop Cycles
Each crop cycle should start with a clean greenhouse. After a cycle is finished, get rid of any remaining soil, debris, and plant matter to completely start fresh. Cleaning your growing space between cycles helps prevent diseases because it eliminates pathogens that may be living in the soil and debris from the previous crops. Thoroughly cleaning by sweeping, shop-vacuuming, and power washing will get rid of any unwanted guests. Pathogens and parasites can hide anywhere, so be sure to clean off the walls, ventilation, and workstations as well.
Once the greenhouse is cleaned, you can sanitize by using disinfectants. Be sure to disinfect equipment, pots, workbenches, and supports/trellises.
There are many different types of greenhouse disinfectants to choose from. You can use alcohol or bleach mixed with water, but there are also different cleaning solutions made especially for greenhouses that you can purchase. Equipment and pots can be soaked in the solution, while other surfaces can be sprayed down.
2. Keep Your Irrigation System Clean
Simply running disinfectant through your system isn’t enough to eradicate the threat of disease. In addition to disinfectant, make sure there are no clogs or buildups in your system. A clogged filter can increase the risk of disease, as it collects organic material that harbors harmful microorganisms.
Regularly cleaning your irrigation system is much easier than trying to purge large clogs and buildups every once in a while, so be sure to keep on top of it! Then, between crop cycles, run disinfectants such as sulfuric acid and chlorine through your lines for a fresh start.
3. Disinfect Yourself When Entering the Greenhouse
Harmful material can hitch a ride on your clothes and skin, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll bring them into the greenhouse with you.
There should be footbaths at every entrance, and anyone who enters needs to clean both feet before stepping inside. Be sure to change the solution often, as it loses potency over time.
4. Control Weeds
Weeds can harbor unwanted pests and diseases—plus, they’re unsightly. The first step of weed control is to prevent them from getting into your greenhouse in the first place. Keep the outside perimeter of your greenhouse well maintained by mowing and weeding the area around it. You can also use herbicides around the structure to keep the weeds under control. That way, there is less of a chance that seeds will make their way into the greenhouse itself. Additionally, make sure that there are no rips, tears, holes, or cracks in your greenhouse walls where unwelcome plants (and other visitors) can creep in.
If weeds do make their way into your greenhouse, the first step is to remove them by weeding. Then you can use greenhouse-safe herbicides to further eliminate them.
Most important thing to keep in mind as you maintain greenhouse cleanliness is to take your time and pay attention to detail. The footbaths, power washing, and unclogging might be a nuisance at the time, but it’s better than fighting a greenhouse full of diseases.
TC Control Group knows the importance of stopping problems before they become problems. It’s part of our Design With The End In Mind philosophy—we do everything right the first time, so that you don’t have to worry.
