Enhancing Greenhouse Productivity in Summer: Straightforward Methods to Yield More from Enclosed Areas
In the heart of summer, greenhouse enthusiasts face unique challenges in maintaining the perfect environment for their plants. To effectively manage humidity, temperature, and ventilation, key strategies include maintaining consistent air circulation, using combined cooling systems such as fans and shading, and employing automatic controls with sensors.
Air circulation and ventilation:
Ensuring constant airflow is crucial to avoid hotspots and stagnant humid air, which can cause diseases like mold. Use a combination of fan types, such as Horizontal Air Flow (HAF) fans, exhaust fans, and oscillating fans, to circulate air evenly throughout the greenhouse[1][2][4]. For smaller greenhouses, natural ventilation through roof vents and side louvres can be effective, while larger greenhouses require more powerful and varied fans to move large volumes of air uniformly[1][3].
Temperature control:
Use shading nets or external reflective shade cloths to reduce incoming solar radiation, lowering internal temperatures by 4-6°C[3][4]. In hot and dry regions, installing a wet curtain–fan forced cooling system is a highly effective way to reduce inside temperatures by evaporative cooling: hot air is pulled through wet curtains and exhausted by fans, creating negative pressure and maintaining cooler air[3]. For humid areas, combining misting systems with shading helps manage temperature and humidity simultaneously[3].
Humidity management:
Control humidity by improving airflow and using dehumidifiers if needed. Fans help by promoting moisture evaporation from plant surfaces and enhancing fresh air exchange, reducing conditions favourable to fungal diseases like powdery mildew and mold[1][2][5]. Avoid excessive humidity buildup by consistently exhausting moist warm air and replenishing with drier outside air.
Automation and monitoring:
Use integrated climate control systems with sensors for temperature and humidity to automate fan speed, shading deployment, and cooling system operation for precision and energy efficiency[3][5]. Smart controls reduce manual intervention and optimize environmental conditions in real time.
Additional practices:
Water plants deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation stress and avoid midday watering which can increase humidity[4]. Regularly maintain fans, wet curtains, and ventilation openings to ensure optimal performance[3].
In summary:
- Maintain continuous air circulation with a combination of fans suited to greenhouse size.
- Employ evaporative cooling (wet curtains + fans) in dry heat; use misting and shading in humid zones.
- Use external shade cloths or nets to block excessive solar heat.
- Control humidity by good ventilation and dehumidification as needed.
- Utilize automated sensors and controls for precise thermal and humidity management.
- Perform regular maintenance and good watering practices.
These measures together create a balanced summer greenhouse climate that optimizes plant health and growth while minimizing heat and moisture stress[1][2][3][4][5].
Pest Management:
Keeping a greenhouse cool in summer with a shade cloth can help regulate temperature. Managing pests in the greenhouse in summer may involve using pesticides, traps, or biological controls[6]. Look for signs of common greenhouse pests (aphids, mealybugs, scale, thrips, gnats) and deal with them early[7]. Keeping the greenhouse clean all summer is important for maintaining a healthy environment for plants[8]. Fan systems provide more precise control over greenhouse ventilation[9].
References:
[1] "Greenhouse Ventilation and Cooling: A Guide for Growers" (2019). National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. [Online]. Available: https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summergreenhouse.html
[2] "Greenhouse Climate Control" (2020). Cornell University Cooperative Extension. [Online]. Available: https://extension.psu.edu/greenhouse-climate-control
[3] "Greenhouse Climate Management" (2017). Horticulture Innovation Lab. [Online]. Available: https://www.horticultureinnovationlab.org/resources/greenhouse-climate-management/
[4] "Greenhouse Water Management" (2021). University of Florida IFAS Extension. [Online]. Available: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_greenhouses_water_management
[5] "Greenhouse Humidity Management" (2019). University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. [Online]. Available: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/greenhouse-humidity-management/
[6] "Greenhouse Pest Management" (2020). University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. [Online]. Available: https://www.ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74173.html
[7] "Common Greenhouse Pests" (2021). University of Illinois Extension. [Online]. Available: https://extension.illinois.edu/agriculture/commercial-horticulture/common-greenhouse-pests/
[8] "Greenhouse Cleaning" (2019). University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. [Online]. Available: https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1545.pdf
[9] "Greenhouse Ventilation" (2021). Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. [Online]. Available: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/horticulture/greenhouse-ventilation/
- To maintain a healthy home-and-garden lifestyle within the greenhouse during summer, it's crucial to implement strategies that effectively manage humidity, temperature, and ventilation, as these factors can significantly impact plant health.
- Good ventilation practices, such as utilizing a combination of fans, maintaining airflow, and exhausting moist air, help in managing humidity and preventing diseases like mold, while employing automated climate control systems can optimize environmental conditions precisely and efficiently.
