[stickles123]

Hi, I've just started on my plot. The greenhouse that was there had a couple of broken panes, so I've sorted that out. Is it ok to clean the insides of the glass with very dilute Milton sterilizer fluid? I have weeded the beds but the soil is in such poor condition it is like dust!
Really need to get them back in good condition - any ideas gratefully received - not sure what had been growing in them before but the weeds seemed ok!
Thanks
Stacey

[mumofstig]

The soil will look like dust cos it's had no rain inside - I bet if you give it a watering it won't seem half as bad

I's worth digging in some compost from the heap or manure, whichever you've got, and I like to add a little calcified seaweed for the trace elements

[stickles123]

Thanks for your reply Lesley, I was wondering about manure myself as there is a ready supply from the smallholding up the road.

[mumofstig]

It's worth asking about any herbicides that have been used to ensure that it is safe to use on your plot.

Read this thread and the link that's given in it 
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=83537.msg930689#msg930689

[JayG]

Milton is a weak solution of sodium hypochlorite and common salt (same as toilet bleach, but weaker) and breaks down into chlorine (the active ingredient) and more salt.

Unless you were to go absolutely berserk with a power washer full of the stuff there won't be enough salt to cause any problems with the soil.

[Chrysalis]

I just got some blood, fish and bone from w***kos to add to my greenhouse soil.  It was dead cheap and looks good stuff.  Any decent food will help the soil.  Have you tested it for acidity/alkalinity?

Isn't it all exciting!! Our first greenhouse, too.

[stickles123]

Thanks for all the replies, I shall certainly be carrying out your tips!!

[devonbarmygardener]

I clean my greenhouse glass in January/early Feb with good old Jeyes fluid - it stinks but it kills any potential spores from blighted tomaotes or things like that.
Then I use a stinky sulphur candle just to make sure the greenhouse is infection free.

I don't have permanent beds in my greenhouse but some good manure and appropriate foodstuffs like fish,blood and bone or seaweed based product will invigorate any soil.

If the previous plants did have a something nasty like blight, the spores are likely to remain in the soil for a while. In that case ypu may need to dig them out and replace the soil from scratch.

Emma