Clean the greenhouse the safe way — and fit drip irrigation for bigger yields

A clean greenhouse is the best start for pest- and disease-free growing. Follow with a simple rain-harvest + drip system to improve yields.

Greenhouse cleaning routine

• Empty & clear: Move chilli and other tender plants out (or to a frost-free sheltered place) while you clean. Remove all spent compost and plant debris — don’t compost diseased material.
• Disinfect: Wash benches, staging, containers and glass with a mild disinfectant (follow product instructions). Then, where appropriate, use sulphur candles or pyrethrum smoke bombs to penetrate cracks and kill overwintering pests — GardenAdvice includes this as a practical greenhouse pest-prevention step. Safety first: always follow manufacturer instructions, ventilate thoroughly after use, and remove or protect people, pets and beneficial insects. https://gardenadvice.co.uk/gardening-tips/how-to-clean-your-glasshouse/
• Return plants: Only return chillies and other plants after thorough ventilation and when surfaces are dry.

Drip irrigation & rainwater harvesting

• Water barrel + gravity-fed drip: Fit gutters to the greenhouse, collect roof water into a raised water barrel, and feed a simple micro-drip system with a timer. GardenAdvice has noted that micro-irrigation can increase yields by ~30% while conserving water — it’s particularly effective for pots and veg benches. Plan pipe runs and a timer once the greenhouse is clean.

You can read a GardenAdvice calendar note on greenhouse cleaning and sulphur/pyrethrum use here: https://gardenadvice.co.uk/amazon-alexa/gardenadvice-co-uk-gardening-calendar-notes-3rd-week-february-2025/