Summer Greenhouse Maintenance

• A proactive approach to keeping your cooling, heating and ventilation system balanced is key to ensuring that your greenhouse project goes well. For an efficient evaporative flow, your cooling system requires cooling pads that are evenly distributed. A major factor in cooling efficiency is the type of cooling pad used. Evaporative cooling systems require the use of rotameters or water meters in order to keep the rate of water flow to the cooling pad in check. Replace cooling pads when there is more than 10 percent of the total pad in the void area. Expect to invest between two and four hours per week on managing your cooling system and two hours on tending to your plants.
  
  

Winter Greenhouse Maintenance

• Steam is essential in the winter, which is produced by using hot water/steam heaters and space heaters that are evenly distributed throughout your greenhouse. To manage the temperature, place a thermometer-hygrometer at eye level inside. When caring for your plants, water sparingly and avoid watering the foliage. Always check the insulation, as even the slightest draft can kill your plants. Although managing a winter greenhouse is a little easier, expect to invest at least two to three hours per week on direct and indirect maintenance.
  
  

General Maintenance

• It is imperative that you are aware of drafts, cracks, fungal build-up, loose door hinges and a variety of other small details that greatly affect the optimal performance of your greenhouse. Like a window draft in your home, a greenhouse draft can greatly reduce the efficiency of your evaporative cooling or heating system. At least once a week, make sure outdoor elements cannot be felt when standing near a greenhouse entrance. In just a couple of days or weeks, small cracks can turn into a major project if they're not repaired promptly. Closely inspect areas that are vulnerable to minor damages, especially those near the entrance. Hoses and pumps connected to your irrigation system also need regular inspection to ensure a productive output.