What Are the Best Temperatures for a Greenhouse?

If you’re thinking of starting a greenhouse, you might wonder what the best temperatures are for growing plants. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Each plant has different temperature requirements, and the ideal range will also vary depending on the time of year.

However, some general guidelines can help create a comfortable environment for your plants. In the summertime, the average greenhouse temperature should be around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be about 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature in the winter. Of course, these are just averages – your plants may need more or less heat depending on their individual needs.

By taking the time to create a custom climate for your greenhouse, you can ensure that your plants will thrive all year long.

What Are the Best Temperatures for a Greenhouse?

There are four basic types of plants, and these are classified according to their tolerance for cold and heat. Very tender plants grow best in warm temperatures with eight to twelve hours of sunlight.

They cannot withstand temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit and need at least eight hours of light daily. Tender plants also have longer growing seasons than hardy plants. In addition, they don’t tolerate frost. For this reason, they must be grown in a greenhouse with warmer temperatures.

Shade Cloth

Shade cloth can prevent a greenhouse from overheating by blocking the sun. It can be either knitted or woven. Knitted shade cloths are easier to maintain because they will not unravel as woven shade cloths do. The best way to clean a shade cloth is by washing it on a sunny day. Generally, it is best to use a weak pH-neutral detergent with no acidic ingredients. This will ensure the durability of your shade cloth.

Shade Netting

The use of shade netting in greenhouses has many benefits. Depending on the type, it can improve light diffusion, provide superior ventilation, and keep greenhouses more relaxed. A shade netting is beneficial when growing plants in adverse climate conditions.

This type of shade net is lightweight and easy to install. It can also be custom-made to fit your greenhouse’s dimensions. Creating a shade cloth to fit your greenhouse’s shape and size may take a month.

Extraction Fans

There are different types of ventilation systems available for your greenhouse. Your greenhouse’s ventilation needs will dictate the size and type of exhaust fans you need.

You’ll want to select larger-diameter fans with smaller motor horsepower to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. A 48-inch-diameter 1/2-horsepower fan can achieve an air volume of 12,983 cfm, while a 36-inch-diameter, a one-horsepower fan, has an output of 11,167 cfm while using 1,195 watts of electricity per hour. Three-phase electric power is recommended for three-phase motors, as they use less electricity and are easier to maintain.

Bay Leaves

A quality heating system for a greenhouse will cycle on and off based on the ambient temperature. For the most successful plant collection, you’ll need to set your heater to a higher range than the outside air.

In addition to controlling the temperature, a quality heating system will also control humidity in the air. Proper ventilation is essential to maintain the optimal temperature for your greenhouse. Make sure to leave at least 20 percent of the floor area open.

Adding Hales of Bay to A Greenhouse

One of the simplest and most effective ways to increase the greenhouse’s temperature is to add thermal mass to the structure. This mass can be added by adding soil, plants, or hay bales.

In some cases, soaking the hay bales in water will increase their thermal mass, which will help regulate the greenhouse’s temperature. To get the best results from HAF, it is crucial to set the fans about 40 to 50 feet apart.

Ventilation

If your greenhouse is experiencing extreme temperatures, you may want to modify your ventilation system to prevent this from happening. While natural ventilation depends on the outdoor climate, mechanical ventilation is controlled by temperature, so you can control when it runs.

For best results, install a thermostat that measures the temperature in the greenhouse. This sensor should be placed near the top of the greenhouse, where plants are exposed to the air. This way, you can ensure that the airflow is even and the temperature is balanced.

Adding Bay Leaves to A Greenhouse

Provide a sound drainage system when potting up your bay leaves in containers. If you overwater the plants, they may develop leaf spots, a disease that affects plants with sodden roots. This stunts the growth of new leaves.

Ensure your container has a dense layer of drainage material and is equipped with extra drainage holes. If you overwater the plants, you may need to spray with a pesticide.

Ventilation Fans

The amount of air movement in a greenhouse is calculated by measuring the cfm of the ventilation fans. Fans must operate at a rate equal to the rate of air movement required to maintain a constant air temperature. Choose fans with a higher static pressure rating than your greenhouse to avoid air turbulence. The higher the static pressure, the larger the fan must be. However, it is possible to increase your greenhouse’s air volume by purchasing a smaller fan.

To find the right size fan for your greenhouse, first, calculate the volume of your greenhouse. This is done by multiplying the length by the width by the height. Once you have this number, divide it into the required airflow rate. This will give you the number of fans you need to purchase.

The next step is to determine the static pressure of your greenhouse. This is done by subtracting the height of the greenhouse from the highest point in the structure. Once you have this number, divide it by 2.2 to find the number of fans you need to purchase.

Now that you know your greenhouse’s size and static pressure, you can purchase the correct size fan for your needs.

Conclusion

A greenhouse needs to be well-ventilated to maintain the correct temperature. If the temperature is too high or too low, there are ways to modify the ventilation system to fix the problem. Thermal mass can be added to the greenhouse to help regulate the temperature, and hay bales can be added to help soak up extra heat. Bay leaves can also be added to the greenhouse to help increase the temperature.