When the outdoor growing season comes to a close and the forecast starts predicting the cooler temperatures, you know it’s time to start winterizing your greenhouse. Whether you’re planning to keep it active during the colder months or you’re planning to shut it down until spring, there are a few things you can do to make sure your investment is well protected. Plus, it will give you a head start on next year’s many gardening chores.

1. Start with a deep clean.

One of the best ways you can properly prepare your greenhouse is to start with a good, old-fashioned cleaning, using a mild disinfectant to gently ensure that pets won’t come back next year. When you remove old plant growth and secure any areas that you might plan to utilize over the winter, you’re also giving yourself a chance to inspect any areas of the greenhouse that might require additional repair work.

2. Patch up any drafty spots.

As you’re cleaning, you might notice the normal wear and tear of a cracked window, a broken seal, or small rips in the outer layer of your greenhouse. Make sure to patch up these spots with replacements, insulating foam, or caulking. Repairing these small problems before winter can prevent them from becoming bigger problems over the colder months.

3. Pay attention to your pipes.

Unless you’re set up with an energy-efficient greenhouse, you’ll want to spend some time winterizing your pipes. If you plan to hand water any winter plants, make sure that you’ve drained all the pipes of any standing water. Leaving water in your pipes during frigid temperatures could lead to cracked or damaged pipes that might need to be replaced during spring.

4. Use bubble wrap to insulate.

There are several kinds of insulation designed for greenhouses, but many experts recommend an inexpensive alternative — bubble wrap. Once you’ve cleaned and repaired any problem spots, adding insulation can help protect any vulnerable equipment or plants that might not winter so well. Since bubble wrap is transparent, it can allow your greenhouse to get plenty of light while keeping the heat in.

5. Don’t forget about ventilation.

Even during the coldest part of the year, making sure your greenhouse is ventilated can help to keep ideal humidity levels. One option is to install an exterior fan, but it can be as simple as opening a window on a warm day. As long as no vulnerable plants are exposed, you can also open a window to ventilate when it’s below zero.

6. Keep containers full. 

Although you want to make sure that you’ve thoroughly sanitized and pots you plan to use next year, it’s still a good idea to keep them full. Not only will keeping them full help keep the greenhouse warm by eliminating empty space that needs to be heated, but it will also allow you to keep earthworms enriching the soil over the winter.

When you follow these simple tips for winterizing your greenhouse, you’ll ensure that you’ll be off to a great start next year. Even if you plan to grow over the winter, making sure your greenhouse is protected helps you to make the most of your space.