Spring is the time to prepare the greenhouse for planting seedlings. In the fall, it was necessary to remove the remains of plants, crops, as well as all equipment used during the tomato growing season. If for some reason this was not done, then you first need to clean up, clear the room and beds of unnecessary items and remnants of last year’s plants.
Disinfection of a structure from pathogens, fungi and bacteria in the spring consists of:
- in land disinfection;
- processing of walls, frame;
- washing surfaces.
Washing internal and external surfaces
To begin with, you should treat the surface of the greenhouse with a soapy solution. To do this, it is appropriate to use soap - either laundry or garden soap. It is advisable to leave the soap suds on the walls for a while, then rinse off. It is necessary to treat the structure from the inside and outside in this way. When treating with a soap solution, you should make sure that it does not get on the ground.
Treatment of frame and internal surfaces
It is good to disinfect the internal surfaces of the greenhouse with a weak solution of Bordeaux mixture, a solution of mustard powder, antifungal biological products from gardening stores, or hot water with potassium permanganate. It is convenient to carry out this stage by irrigation from an electric sprayer.These processing solutions are suitable for both glass and polycarbonate.
The processing of the frame depends on the material from which it is made. If it is made of metal or plastic, then a solution of Bordeaux mixture will do; if the frame is made of galvanized metal, then 9 percent vinegar diluted with water will do. Wooden surfaces should be treated with bleach, dried, and whitened with a thick lime mortar.
An excellent option for treating a greenhouse against pests that have overwintered in it is fumigation with tobacco sticks. Fumigation should be carried out according to the instructions on the package.
Soil disinfection
To disinfect the soil, pouring boiling water (at the rate of 30 liters per 1 sq. m) is suitable; after the procedure, the soil is covered with a film and kept under it for 2-3 days. It is also worth treating the soil with a one percent solution of potassium permanganate, but you need to remember that you can plant the seedlings in the greenhouse 20 days after this. There are also special preparations for spring soil treatment (Fitosporin, Trichocin, Trichoplast and others). Treatment against parasites and pathogens in the soil with these preparations must be carried out according to the attached instructions and always on condition that the soil is well warmed up.
As soon as the earth warms up well, it is necessary to treat the soil against late blight (a fungal disease that very often parasitizes tomatoes), it is worth removing the top layer of soil about 20 cm, disinfecting it and scattering it around the garden, while in the greenhouse instead, spill a fresh layer of purchased new land.
