Greenhouse Season Prep Checklist: Weed Control, Sanitation, and Insect Net Installation

Editor’s Note

This article is part of our Insect Netting Knowledge Series. It focuses on season-end greenhouse preparation: reducing pest reservoirs, improving hygiene, and installing insect netting as a true exclusion system (not just a cover).
For mesh selection guides, airtight installation methods, and crop-specific recommendations, visit the Insect Netting Hub Page.

Introduction

Good gardeners are those who have a passion for their work and pride in their produce. But it is way more than having excitement about the topic.
They must understand their plants’ needs and invest significant effort in them. Successful vegetable production implies all the necessary operations.

That means maintaining the area around the greenhouse and the construction itself.

Why is the greenhouse important?

A greenhouse is not necessary to cultivate plants.

But it certainly helps! Having a greenhouse will let farmers grow more crops. Plus, it is possible to start fruit and vegetables off earlier in the season. And even extend harvest time with longer cropping. The plants grow faster and better in the greenhouse due to the controlled environment.

Unlike the natural environment, a greenhouse maintains a consistent temperature. Additionally, the carbon dioxide level is higher than outdoors.

Many people think it is cheaper to build a greenhouse themself than to buy a kit.

But that is not necessarily correct. It depends on your needs: whether you require a standard size or a custom size. Bear in mind that assembling all the construction materials will also incur costs.

How big should the greenhouse be?
The risk is the need for additional square footage, so it is crucial to plan ahead. That means counting on the space expansion production will need in the years to come.

Greenhouse maintenance

A neglected greenhouse can be a source of plant diseases and pests. But successful vegetable production requires a well-maintained area. A well-maintained area includes removing weeds around all greenhouse openings. In that way, we’ll reduce undesirable insects.

Weed control can be chemical and mechanical. Chemical means applying garden chemicals. And mechanical means mowing and cutting.

It is also advisable to use insect nets with a dual function.
But what exactly is the purpose?

The insect net with a dual function does not allow:
1.  the entry of undesirable insects into the greenhouse
2. the exit of desirable, e.g., if we use bumblebees for pollination

Not all vegetables have a fixed end date for the vegetative period. It depends on the type of vegetables we grow and the planting time. Because of that, the period of the end of the season in the greenhouse vary. Either way,
for all the plants, the following stages are a must:
1. cleaning of the greenhouse,
2. disinfection of the greenhouse and
3. preparing the greenhouse for next season.

Season-End Reset Checklist (Do This Before You Install Nets)

Technical insight
If you install nets without a reset, you can trap existing pests inside and create a protected breeding chamber. The fastest wins usually come from perimeter weed control, residue removal, and sealing doors and bottom edges.

Weed control

Weeding is the process of controlling the weeds. Weeds increase production costs and reduce product quality.
Also, it blocks irrigation water flow, interferes with pesticide application, and harbors disease organisms. This is vital to agriculture.

As we mentioned, there are two approaches: chemical and mechanical.

The term “herbicide” refers to the chemical farmers use to kill plants or weeds. Usually, it is best to apply it to the soil surface to form a consistent herbicide layer.

It is best to cut weeds by leaving only the root in the soil. True, sometimes it can be killed by cutting it at the soil surface. However, that applies only to certain annual weeds. More often, if it is cut higher, it regrows.

Another agricultural product that prevents weed growth is weed mat ground cover. This fabric blocks weeds. Yet it doesn’t remove air, water, or nutrients from the soil.

The installation of the insect nets

We have already explained why a greenhouse is beneficial and what it does. But are there any side effects? A greenhouse is a warm place with humid conditions and rich food for insects. And that’s why it creates an ideal environment for pest spread.
Plus, some natural enemies help to keep pests under control. But unlike to outdoors, those pests’ enemies are not present indoors.

Why are insects so dangerous? The answer is simple: they can carry various viral diseases.
Luckily, there is one ally of the farmer: the net. In fact, the net has significant value in controlling harmful insects.

Even if all other plant-care tasks are done well, insects can undermine all our efforts. That is why it is vital to prevent the problem before they enter the greenhouse and reproduces.

Therefore, one step in preparing for the next season is installing nets.

Depending on tissue density, nets prevent pests from entering greenhouses and hothouses. The size, of course, depends on what the farm grows. Not each plant is grown with the same weather conditions, nor the same type of pests attack it. It all affects the kind of netting.

Mesh Selection Quick Guide (Match Crop System to Mesh)

Technical insight
Mesh choice is not “denser is always better.” It is a system-level decision: pest size, virus risk, and ventilation capacity. If you cannot compensate for airflow loss, an overly fine net can increase heat and humidity problems that reduce yield just as badly as pests.

17 Mesh

Nets for orchards and vineyards have a size of 17 mesh. It protects the plantations from the sun and ice. Additionally, it protects them from wasps, flies, and moths. That is especially important with table grapes.

25 Mesh

For greenhouses, 25-mesh netting is typically used on side openings. They prevent sunburn and strong wind gusts. But they also protect the greenhouse from the entry of bats, birds, and small animals. This type of net is the smallest. This also prevents the tomato moth from entering the construction site. It is necessary to bury the net at a depth of half a meter. In that way will larvae won’t get into the production space’s interior.

40 Mesh

Optinet 40 mesh uses both optical and physical means of thrips control. It is an excellent solution for growing peppers. But it is also suitable for any other species sensitive to thrips. Place the net on the sides.

50 Mesh

Ordinary insect-proof nets for controlling ventilation surfaces are 50 mesh. The material is UV-resistant and woven using the monofilament technique. They prevent the entry of lice, thrips, whiteflies, and leaf miners.

Yet, not all insects are pests. In fact, there are many helpful bugs in the greenhouse. Many growers appreciate the help provided by a beneficial insect. For example, bumblebees are beneficial pollinators.

Installation Failure Points (What Usually Goes Wrong)

Technical insight
In real projects, doors and bottom edges cause most “mystery infestations.” If you only upgrade mesh but ignore sealing, you will still get pests—and you will assume the net “doesn’t work,” even though the issue is leakage.

Why are nets made by EyouAgro a great choice?

EyouAgro produces everything in its family-run factory and stocks directly with farmers. Since there is no mediator, there is money saved. Also, twenty-five years of experience guarantee quality. It is enough to say that the material is 100% virgin high-density polypropylene. It is important to note that the warranty is five years, providing buyers with reassurance.

Cleaning of the greenhouse

Cleaning is the first of three stages in maintaining the interior of the greenhouse.

At the start, remove any materials used to support or hold the plant. Those materials can be metal, wood, or plastic (e.g., PVC foil).

Then, it is possible to pluck the above-ground and underground parts of the plant.

In the above-ground parts, for removal, there are trees, leaves, and fruit. The gardener should pay particular attention to damaged and infected fruits. The recommendation is to dispose of them individually from the rest.

In many plants, the root goes out with the tree. Yet that is not the case with all, for example, with cabbage. In that situation, the root remains in the ground after cutting. The gardener should remove it separately.

After taking out the root, the next is taking out the mulch foil and the irrigation system. The recommendation is to use irrigation hoses (strips) for only one season, i.e., for only one crop.

Disinfection of greenhouses and equipment

Disinfection is the second stage in maintaining the greenhouse interior. That means preparing both the soil and greenhouse for the next season.

Ground fertilization with organic and mineral fertilizers is necessary. The gardener should adjust the fertilizer rate based on soil analysis. He must also comply with the requirements of the future agricultural plant.

After fertilization, the basic and additional processing follow. The basic involves plowing fertilizers. And extra creates a loose layer of soil. However, you can perform them together as a single operation (milling to a depth of 15-20 cm). That is, if the crop has shallow roots and does not require deep processing (e.g., spring onions, lettuce, spinach).
All further operations (irrigation system, mulch foil, etc.) depend on the planned crop. In the winter, onions, lettuce, and spinach are grown. In early spring, that is the case with potatoes and cabbage.

Conclusion

Growing plants means thinking long-term. That is sacrificing short-term gains for the business’s long-term stability.

By following these steps, you’ll make your work safe:

1. correct greenhouse maintenance
2. controlling weed
3. do small invest into the insect nets

Growing healthy vegetables has many benefits. It helps you eat fresh and healthy food. And besides, it is a business that will always be profitable.

On the other hand, the loss is enormous if preparation for the next season isn’t completed. You’re putting on the risk an entire annual crop.

If you were waiting for the perfect time to start caring for your greenhouse, the time is now.

Talk to Our Experts

Need guidance on crop protection solutions?

Connect with our specialists to discuss your needs and confidently start your project!

Reach out today

If you want, we can help you turn this into a crop-specific setup plan:

1. your crop + region + dominant pests
2. recommended mesh range (aperture-based)
3. Ventilation Impact Checklist
4. sealing method for doors, vents, and bottom edges

Contact EyouAgro for a tailored insect netting recommendation and a greenhouse exclusion system layout.

Next Reading

Which Crops Need Insect Netting? Mesh Sizes for Every Crop

Across farm and greenhouse projects we’ve supported, we’ve learned that “one mesh for everything” is the fastest way to lose either airflow or protection.

From a technical support perspective, the most reliable method is Crop → Key pest → Minimum safe aperture → Ventilation & pollination plan, because a net that blocks pests but overheats the crop is not a win.

— Kevin Lyu, EyouAgro

Thrips Netting

Learn about an effective eco-friendly method to control and prevent thrips infestations without the use of harmful chemicals.

The Common Pests in Greenhouses – All You Need to Know

Pests are a destructive insect, or other animals, that attacks crops and livestock. To say with other words, a pest is any organism that spreads disease and causes destruction.