Temperature and Humidity control is crucial for creating an optimal plant-growing environment in a greenhouse. You can use several methods to accomplish your desired environment.
- Ventilation: A greenhouse that is kept closed, especially in the summer, builds up heat and moisture and can promote fungus growth. Most permanent greenhouses have roof vents, side vents (louver windows), or exhaust fans. For roof vents and side vents, you can invest in an auto-opener. The auto-opener has a piston that expands and contracts based on temperature and automatically opens the vents as the temperature rises. Auto-openers take out the worry of having to open and close windows manually every day. Opening windows and vents or using an exhaust fan allows air to flow through the greenhouse, keeping it cool and dry.
- Shading: Greenhouses are usually placed strategically to get the most sunlight possible. However, this can harm your plants in the hottest times of the year. Using a shade cloth can reduce the amount of sun and heat that enters the greenhouse.
- Cooling: Another way to reduce temperature in a greenhouse is through evaporation. A misting or fogging system introduces moisture into the air, which cools the environment.
- Heating: Greenhouses have some insulating ability depending on the material they’re made of. Depending on where you live, you may need to implement a heating system to maintain a suitable temperature during the colder months. There are several ways to heat a greenhouse: gas or electric heaters, hot water heating systems, or geothermal heating.
- Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers: Depending on the plants’ needs, humidifiers or dehumidifiers can adjust the humidity levels inside the greenhouse. Precise humidity levels are especially important when cultivating plants that have specific humidity requirements.
- Thermal Mass: Incorporating thermal mass, such as water barrels or stone flooring, can stabilize temperature fluctuations. They do this by absorbing excess heat during the day and releasing it at night.
- Monitoring and Automation: Using environmental control systems that include sensors for temperature and humidity can help automate the process and take the guesswork out of maintaining an optimal environment for your plants.
Remember that your choice of methods will depend on many factors such as the climate, size of the greenhouse, the types of plants you want to grow, and the availability and budget for equipment and infrastructure. It may take some trial and error and adjustments to ensure the temperature and humidity in your greenhouse environment remain conducive to healthy plant growth.
