Daily Greenhouse Checklist Templates: Keep Every Task on Track

Daily greenhouse care is more than ticking boxes—it is an observational ritual that keeps your controlled environment balanced. These templates walk you through the rhythm of stewarding light, temperature, humidity, and plant health from sunrise to shutdown.

What the download includes

Printable and digital-ready AM, midday, and PM checklists with space for initials and notes
Climate log panels for temperature, humidity, VPD, and sensor calibration reminders
IPM scouting prompts for aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and early fungal signatures
Tool sanitation cues and end-of-day documentation blocks

How to use the templates

Stage copies where work happens. Keep a clipboard near the entrance and a digital version in your shared drive so everyone can log updates in real time.
Capture climate data consistently. Morning, midday, and evening readings highlight dangerous trends; add VPD alongside temperature and RH for decision support.
Assign accountability. Initial each task and note anomalies so the next shift knows what changed and what needs follow-up.
Close the loop weekly. Transfer highlights into your maintenance log, adjust automation set points, and schedule deeper maintenance before small issues escalate.

Morning awakening (first light to mid-morning)

Reset the environment, measure overnight conditions, and start the day with a health patrol.

Initial environmental assessment

[ ] Perform a sensory sweep—scan for wilting, condensation on glazing or foliage, fallen debris, and musty odours.
[ ] Log overnight minimums and current readings for inside/outside temperature and relative humidity.
[ ] Confirm sensors sit at canopy height, shielded from direct sun, and schedule a hygrometer salt test if readings drift from 75% in calibration mode.

| Reading | Target range | Notes | | ----------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | Night RH | 65–75% | Above 80%? Plan a dehumidification vent. | | Morning VPD | 0.8–1.0 kPa | Low? Increase ventilation; high? Prepare misting. | | Canopy temp | 64–75°F (18–24°C) | Outside this range? Adjust heating or shading. |

Ventilation and airflow reset

[ ] Run a 15–30 minute dehumidification vent: open roof vents while briefly running heat to replace moist air with drier intake.
[ ] Open side vents or doors to establish natural convection and verify fans, shutters, and louvers respond.
[ ] Check horizontal airflow (HAF) fans for proper orientation—parallel to benches with no dead zones.

Hydration and plant care

[ ] Use the finger test or moisture meters before watering; irrigate deeply only where media is dry 1–2 inches down.
[ ] Confirm propagation misters trigger on schedule and do not saturate mature crops.
[ ] Inspect fertigation tanks, confirm EC/pH targets, and note any refills or adjustments.

IPM scouting patrol

[ ] Inspect undersides of new growth for aphids or whiteflies; tap suspect leaves over white paper to spot spider mites.
[ ] Review yellow sticky traps and log catches by quadrant.
[ ] Remove spent blossoms and dead foliage to deny Botrytis a foothold and wipe away any honeydew residues.

Midday zenith (peak sun and heat)

Maintain photosynthesis without heat stress by managing shading, air exchange, and humidity.

Climate control and shading

[ ] Check internal temperatures and RH against sensor alerts; aim for one full air exchange per minute when fans run.
[ ] Deploy exterior shade cloth if canopy temperatures push past 84°F (29°C); confirm cloth density matches crop needs.
[ ] Inspect evaporative coolers or foggers—verify pads stay saturated and nozzles produce a fine mist.

VPD-driven adjustments

[ ] Calculate VPD (many sensor suites do this automatically) and respond accordingly:
- Below 0.4 kPa? Increase ventilation or gentle heating to shed moisture.
- Above 1.6 kPa? Pulse misting or add humidity to protect stomatal function.
[ ] Document corrections so evening staff can evaluate plant response.

Plant maintenance and support

[ ] Winkle out any weeds on floors, benches, or beds before they host pests.
[ ] Train vines onto strings, trellises, or clips; remove tomato suckers while tender.
[ ] Deadhead spent blooms to redirect energy toward fresh flowers and fruit set.

Evening wind-down (late afternoon to dusk)

Lock in warmth, tidy workspaces, and set the stage for a stable night.

Final plant and equipment inspection

[ ] Re-check any plants flagged for wilting or nutrient stress; investigate yellowing patterns to rule out water or deficiency issues.
[ ] Inspect irrigation valves, hose bibs, and condensate drains for leaks.
[ ] Verify environmental controllers switch to night set points and alarms are armed.

Sanitation and closure

[ ] Deep clean hand tools, snips, and knives: scrub debris, disinfect with 10% bleach or 70% isopropyl, and air dry.
[ ] Sanitize benches, sweep walkways, and empty waste bins to keep fungal spores in check.
[ ] Close vents, curtains, and doors in sequence to trap residual solar heat without pinching seals.

Documentation and reflection

[ ] Log max/min readings, pest sightings, treatments, and any automation overrides.
[ ] Record tool maintenance, inventory shortages, and follow-up tasks for the morning crew.
[ ] Note anomalies or lessons learned—consistent journaling sharpens intuition and speeds troubleshooting.

Weekly systems audit

[ ] Deep clean fans, vents, and sensor housings; recalibrate probes if drift exceeds tolerances.
[ ] Sanitize misting nozzles, propagation domes, and potting equipment.
[ ] Audit nutrient and substrate inventory, reorder low items, and rotate stock.
[ ] Test alarms, backup power, and emergency kits so fail-safes are ready.

Need a full maintenance plan? Pair these templates with the Greenhouse maintenance checklist for daily, weekly, and seasonal SOPs, and track consumables with the Greenhouse inventory checklist.