How to Overwinter Greenhouse Vegetables Safely? Latest Management Methods Explained in Detail

Pay attention to indoor heating and insulation. For greenhouses with fewer straw curtains, a thinner back wall and poor insulation, increase the thickness of the straw curtain covering, use double-layer curtains as much as possible, add a rain- and snow-proof plastic film over the straw curtains, and keep the straw curtains dry. If the temperature inside the greenhouse is lower than 6°C, heating by burning a stove should be used; for fruit vegetables such as cucumber and tomato, the main focus is on protecting the roots, protecting the vines and keeping them alive.

Pay attention to management during consecutive cloudy days. When consecutive cloudy days occur, as long as the temperature is not very low, the straw curtains should be uncovered; if the sun comes out for a short time, the temperature inside the greenhouse will rise. Hanging a reflective screen on the back wall inside the greenhouse will also help increase light and raise temperature on cloudy days. Keep the nighttime room temperature no lower than 10°C, try to store more heat in the back wall after clear days, control the daytime temperature at 25°C-28°C, and ventilate promptly when it is above 30°C. When there are many cloudy days in winter, plastic mulching should be applied early, which can raise the ground temperature and reduce the occurrence of low-temperature freezing damage.

Attention should be paid to management after a long period of cloudy weather suddenly turns clear. After long periods of cloudy and foggy weather, once a clear day appears, the transpiration of vegetables will strengthen, root absorption cannot keep up, and a large number of seedlings will die after the clear day. When this kind of weather occurs, first pay attention to covering the straw curtains to prevent seedling scorch. After it turns clear, the temperature rises quickly and the seedlings will wilt sharply; from around 10 a.m., pay attention to changes in the seedlings and take measures such as moderately covering the straw curtains and spraying clean water inside the greenhouse. Second, after a clear day, water as little as possible; the root system must regain vitality before watering, otherwise it is easy to cause root rot and seedling death. If watering and topdressing are needed, water lightly and apply quick-soluble fertilizer with the water, and the concentration should be low. Finally, after a clear day, use root-promoting agents to drench the roots and spray multi-element micro-fertilizer on the leaves to make up for the insufficient root absorption.

Management during snowy weather. If it snows during the day, be sure to roll up the straw curtains first, and immediately clear the snow on the greenhouse film after the snow stops. For parts of the greenhouse slope that are difficult to clear, use a smooth wooden stick to scrape it down gently, trying not to cut the greenhouse film. If it snows at night, even more attention should be paid to promptly removing the snow on the straw curtains. The straw curtains should be wrapped with plastic film in advance to prevent the straw curtains from absorbing water; otherwise, the greenhouse body will be overloaded, causing the arch frame to twist and even collapse.

Management during windy weather. When the greenhouse film bulges, immediately tighten the film-pressing lines or lower part of the straw curtains to press down on the middle of the front roof of the greenhouse. If strong wind occurs at night, it is best to lay a layer of straw curtain horizontally across the front bottom foot of the greenhouse, then press it firmly with stones.