Urgent job that must be done in November - or you'll regret it next year

A layer of bubble polythene in winter will give your plants a helping hand through the colder months, keeping heat in and letting light shine through

For those who love gardening there is a vital job that must be done in November - or you'll regret it next year.

Despite a myriad of tasks to keep our gardens looking good and plants protected in the colder months, it is important you don't forget your glasshouses as temperatures dip. Insulating your greenhouse with a layer of bubble polythene in winter will give your plants a helping hand through the colder months, keeping in heat but letting light through. A greenhouse which has protection will prevent colder air reaching your beloved shrubs and greenery which are sheltering from perishing temperatures over the cooler period. It will have fewer draughts if you insulate the structure with bubble wrap.

And you will also will also achieve lower bills if you use a heater in your glasshouse in very cold weather. Gardener's World says you can purchase bubble wrap for insulating from garden centres where it can be bought by the metre. Experts recommend you should select a polythene specially designed for greenhouses. This means that the insulation will be UV-stabilised and should last longer with experts saying it should last three years. To attach the wrap to your greenhouse is a simple process, but you will require the following items before you begin.

1. Measuring tape
2. Bubble polythene
3. Scissors
4. Nails, drawing pins or wire, to fix the polythene in place

You should measure the sides, roof and ends of the greenhouse before putting up the insulation wrap. Gardener's World recommends doing the sides of your glasshouse first. An expert said: "Starting with the sides, fix the bubble wrap to the frame using nails, drawing pins or wire, keeping it tight for extra insulation. When insulating the roof, fix the bubble wrap to the ridge and spread it down the glazing bars."

For the windows and vents, a slightly different approach is taken so they can be opened if necessary. The gardening aficionado added: "Cut and fasten the bubble wrap around windows, vents and louvres so they can be opened." The Mirror also reported that the colder months are a good time to clean your greenhouse as there are fewer garden tasks.

A thorough clean out will boost light levels for next year’s growing season, get rid of any trace of pests or diseases from this year’s and clear detritus from gutters. First off, pick a mild day, so any overwintering plants can be popped outside while you work. You can always take them into the house while you work to ensure they stay warm.

Once the greenhouse is empty your first task will be to clean the glass. Both the inside and the outside of the panes will need a clean with soapy water to remove any green slime that has collected over the year. Thoroughly wipe down each pane using a sponge, you might need a long handled sponge and brush or a stepladder to reach the high parts of the roof. Once you’ve cleaned the inside and outside of the panes of glass the greenhouse should be feeling lighter and brighter.