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In an article published Nov. 4, 2026, Amateur Gardening editor Kim Stoddart outlined autumn maintenance for greenhouses and polytunnels. Her advice includes removing plant debris, delaying outside cleaning until leaf fall slows, storing containers, and briefly ventilating growing spaces to reduce fungal-disease risk.
Amateur Gardening editor Kim Stoddart has published an autumn maintenance checklist for greenhouse and polytunnel growers, advising them to remove foliage from coverings, keep some airflow through enclosed spaces and prepare reusable containers for storage. The guidance matters to gardeners aiming to preserve light, limit disease risks and keep growing structures usable through winter.
Stoddart says plant foliage from tall crops, including grapevines and tomatoes, can cling to plastic coverings and rot after the growing season. Removing it helps prevent debris from blocking light and, over time, eroding the plastic. She recommends cleaning the inside first with a hose spray and a sponge or soft brush, while taking care to clear the covering itself.
For the outside, she suggests waiting until most autumn leaves have fallen, since leaves can continue to collect on the skin for several weeks. For hard-to-reach areas, Stoddart describes tying bedsheets together and pulling them back and forth over the covering with a helper. The article does not prescribe a particular cleaner or treatment.
Her approach to pots and trays is less intensive: she empties spent compost onto beds or borders, shakes planters and stores them, rather than routinely washing trays and modules. She says that approach may not suit gardeners concerned about a specific pest or disease, including eggs. She also recommends briefly opening doors or windows several times a week to admit air, even as colder weather makes it sensible to keep them shut more often.
Protecting Light and Winter Growth
Keeping a greenhouse or polytunnel covering clear helps preserve the light reaching plants during the darker part of the year. Stoddart also links prompt debris removal with protecting the plastic from deterioration, which may help gardeners get longer use from an existing cover. She notes that her own polytunnel covering is at least 16 years old and still working well; that is her experience, not a guarantee of how long other coverings will last.
Ventilation presents a seasonal balancing act: gardeners want to retain warmth as temperatures drop, while avoiding prolonged still, damp conditions that can encourage fungal disease. Stoddart’s recommendation is short periods of airflow a few times a week, alongside removing yellowing lower leaves and continuing to pick usable leaves to support ongoing growth. The article offers general advice rather than a schedule tailored to a particular structure, crop or local climate.
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End-of-Season Structure Care
The report appeared on Nov. 4, 2026, as part of Amateur Gardening’s seasonal gardening advice. It focuses on maintenance during the shift from the main growing season to winter, rather than announcing a new product, rule or research finding.
Stoddart frames regular care as a way to keep a polytunnel or greenhouse productive over time. Her recommendations distinguish between tasks to do promptly, such as removing foliage stuck to the inside, and those that can wait, such as washing the outside while leaves are still falling. She also says gardeners can leave some lower foliage or ground cover to provide an overwintering refuge for spiders and ground beetles, while keeping the plastic itself free of debris.
“The more you look after your polytunnel or greenhouse, the more productive it will be for the longer term.”
— Kim Stoddart, Amateur Gardening editor
Limits of the Seasonal Advice
The article does not specify how often coverings should be cleaned, how much ventilation is appropriate for different temperatures, or which cleaning methods are safe for every type of plastic. It also gives no measured evidence that a particular routine extends a cover’s life; the example of a 16-year-old covering is Stoddart’s own experience. The best approach to cleaning containers may depend on whether a gardener has identified a pest or disease problem, which the report does not address case by case.
Tasks for the Coming Weeks
Stoddart’s suggested sequence is to clear foliage from the inside covering now, keep leaves and other debris from accumulating there, and postpone cleaning the outside until leaf fall has eased. Gardeners can then shake out and store containers, inspect plants for yellowing lower leaves, and ventilate the structure briefly several times a week while monitoring conditions. The source does not announce a follow-up report or a fixed date for these tasks; timing will depend on local weather and the rate of leaf fall.
Key Questions
What should be cleaned first in a greenhouse or polytunnel?
Stoddart recommends starting with the inside covering, removing foliage stuck to the plastic with a hose spray and a sponge or soft brush.
When should gardeners clean the outside covering?
She suggests waiting until most autumn leaves have fallen, because leaves can continue to collect on the outer skin for several weeks.
Should pots and trays be washed before storage?
Stoddart says she does not routinely wash her trays and modules; she empties spent compost, shakes planters and stores them. She advises a different choice if a gardener is concerned about a particular pest or disease.
How often should a greenhouse be ventilated in colder weather?
The article recommends opening doors or windows for airflow a few times throughout the week, while keeping them closed more often to retain heat. It does not give a temperature-based schedule.
Can some foliage be left for wildlife?
Yes. Stoddart says she leaves some lower foliage or ground cover as an overwintering refuge for spiders and ground beetles, while clearing debris from the plastic covering.
Source: amateurgardening.com
