Cleaning the Main Greenhouse Windows

August 31, 2017

A big cleanup is underway inside my main greenhouse.

As many of you know, the central greenhouse at my Bedford, New York farm is home to hundreds and hundreds of beloved plants. I enjoy learning about, and caring for, the many rare and unusual specimens in my collection, but I also enjoy bringing different plants inside my home, especially when I entertain. With its vast span of clear windows, this glass house needs to be cleaned regularly so it functions at its best. Calcium deposits and algae can form on the windows, blocking much needed heat and light from the growing plants. Over the last couple of weeks, Carlos has been working very hard to clean each and every pane - it’s a huge and arduous task, but well worth the time and effort.

I hope you enjoy these photos and please leave your remarks in the comments section below.

: This is my expansive main greenhouse before the cleaning process began. This greenhouse is located next to my flower cutting garden, not far from my gym building. In fact, I often stop in this greenhouse after my morning workouts.

: Inside, I keep lots of potted rare and unusual plants that need lots of light and heat in order to grow.

: If you look closely, the windows are covered with calcium deposits, which means it is time for a good cleaning.

: The first step is to move all the plants from the long sliding tables on each side. Here is Fernando carrying some of the potted specimens out of this area.

: Our gardening intern, Wambui, is also helping with this process – there are a lot of plants to move.

: Carlos uses a flat bin to remove some of the smaller, more delicate specimens.

: This table has been emptied and the glass above is ready to be cleaned.

: Here are the main supplies we are using – gloves, sponges, ladders, water and Barkeeper’s Friend, a great product containing oxalic acid. The abrasive used in this powder doesn’t scratch glass or porcelain when properly used, so it works well on windows.

: Carlos places some of the Barkeeper’s Friend onto the sponge.

: And then fills the window with the solution, carefully scrubbing away the calcium deposits.

: Here he is from the other side of the window – each window is double-paned, so the outside will also have to be cleaned.

: Next, Carlos rinses the window with plain hose water.

: And then uses a squeegee to remove the water and any solution residue.

: There are many windows. Carlos works from the top to the bottom. He is very careful not to apply too much pressure that could possibly scratch the glass.

: Here, Carlos uses a power washer to clean the debris off the screens. The lowest windows on this greenhouse automatically open when temperatures inside are too high. A lot of dust and debris can accumulate on these screens.