Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
Vegetable Plants & Seedlings
Browse Plants
All-Purpose Compost & Soil Improvers
View Compost
Plant Feed & Fertiliser for Strong Growth
Shop Fertiliser
🌨️ Winter Greenhouse Tasks for UK Gardeners
🌸 Introduction: Why Winter Greenhouse Care Matters
A greenhouse is a lifeline during winter — protecting plants from frost, providing shelter for tender species, and giving you a space to prepare for spring. But to keep it functioning well through the coldest months, your greenhouse needs care and maintenance.
Winter greenhouse tasks help prevent:
- frost damage
- mould and fungal problems
- poor airflow
- heat loss
- condensation build-up
- pests hiding in corners
- weak winter crops
Looking after your greenhouse now ensures healthier plants and a strong start to the next growing season.
Below are the best products to help with winter greenhouse maintenance.
⭐ Check Out Our Recommended Products
• Bubble Wrap Insulation
Perfect for lining greenhouses to retain heat and reduce frost risk.
Click here to see them
• Paraffin or Electric Greenhouse Heaters
Ideal for maintaining safe nighttime temperatures.
Click here to see them
• Ventilation Tools & Thermometers
Help monitor humidity and prevent mould problems.
Click here to see them
❄️ Winter Greenhouse Tasks (Full Checklist)
Everything your greenhouse needs from December–February.
🌬 1. Insulate With Bubble Wrap
Line:
- walls
- roof panels
- doors
Bubble wrap traps heat and reduces heat loss at night.
🌡 2. Check and Maintain Heating
A heated greenhouse stays frost-free.
- paraffin heaters
- electric heaters
- soil-warming mats
Check thermostats and fuel levels.
🌧 3. Manage Condensation & Humidity
Winter humidity encourages:
- mould
- rot
- fungal diseases
Do this:
- ventilate on mild days
- avoid overwatering
- space plants apart
- tidy debris
🌱 4. Protect Tender Plants
Wintering plants like:
- pelargoniums
- fuchsias
- citrus
- herbs
- chillies
Protect with:
- fleece
- insulated pots
- raised shelving
🧼 5. Deep Clean Your Greenhouse
Clean now while plant numbers are low.
- wash panes
- clear algae
- scrub benches
- disinfect trays
- sweep floors
A clean greenhouse warms faster and prevents disease.
🪴 6. Start Early Sowing Preparation
Organise:
- seed packets
- seed trays
- pots
- propagation lids
- heat mats
January–February is prime time for early crops like chillies and onions.
🌿 7. Check for Pests & Hidden Problems
Winter pests hide in:
- corners
- under pots
- in compost bags
- on dirty trays
Look for aphids, whitefly, slugs, vine-weevils.
🌧 8. Water Carefully
Overwatering is the biggest winter greenhouse mistake.
Tips:
- only water when soil is dry
- water early in the day
- avoid splashing leaves
- check for cold-damaged roots
🧊 9. Prevent Freezing at Night
Even in greenhouses, temperatures can drop below zero.
Use:
- fleece layers
- heaters
- bubble wrap
- warm microclimates
📦 10. Store Compost Indoors
Cold compost is harder to warm and slows germination.
Keep compost bags:
- indoors
- in a shed
- in a frost-free corner
💡 Common Winter Greenhouse Problems
❌ Mould on compost
Reduce humidity and ventilate.
❌ Frozen pots
Raise pots or add insulation.
❌ Poor germination
Warm compost and add heat mats.
❌ Yellowing leaves
Overwatering or cold roots.
❌ Drooping plants
Lack of light or excessive humidity.
🌱 What to Expect in Early Spring
By March your greenhouse will be:
- warm and tidy
- stocked with seeds
- ready for sowing
- protected from frost
- free of pests
- prepared for vegetable starts
A well-maintained winter greenhouse grows stronger seedlings.
🌸 FAQs
Do I need to heat a greenhouse in winter?
Not always — but tender plants need protection.
Can I sow seeds in December?
Generally no — wait until January–February.
Is bubble wrap essential?
Yes — it can raise night temperatures by several degrees.
Why does my greenhouse get mouldy?
Humidity + low airflow = mould.
🌼 Conclusion
Winter greenhouse care keeps plants protected, reduces disease, and prepares you for early sowing. By insulating, heating, cleaning and planning now, your greenhouse will be a warm, productive haven ready for the year ahead.