Ways to Cool Your Greenhouse in the Summer
Cool Your Greenhouse in the Summer
As you’re probably already familiar with it, greenhouses are a great gardening solution to create a steadier, thriving microclimate. This will make your plants grow faster and stronger, too, thanks to the warm soil and consistent temperatures. Unfortunately, this enclosed system might get too hot during the peak of summer, and you’ll probably start wondering if there are some ways to cool your greenhouse then. I’m here to tell you they are, and you can achieve that without fuss!
And since I’m aware that this article will probably come across some of you that don’t already have a greenhouse, let’s first briefly discuss what it is and why you should build one.
What is a greenhouse and why your garden needs one
Simply said, it’s a glass or plastic-walled structure which lets you create a controlled micro-climate in which your plants will grow better. It can be of any size and shape, meaning you can build one as big or small as your garden space allows. It’s a great gardening tool that will give you control over the warmth and humidity levels, allowing you to create the optimal growing conditions for the seeds you decide to plant. Whether you’re interested to grow your own food or cultivate exotic vegetation, a greenhouse is an ideal solution for them all.
Now that you have a better idea about what is a greenhouse and how great it can be, let’s explain why you should keep it cool during the hot days.
Why you need to discover effective ways to cool your greenhouse
As I already said, the best reason for building a greenhouse is to create a warmer climate for your plants. This is a great solution during winter and early springtime, but what happens when cummer comes along? The days only get hotter and hotter, which can cause your little greenhouse garden to overheat. As a result, your vegetables will wilt or dry out, and you’ll get the ideal environment for pest infestation or other common diseases. So, you’ll find monitoring the temperature and creating ways to cool your greenhouse quite handy.
Now, it’s good to know that the ideal temperature should be between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which might be quite hard to maintain when the hot summer sun is shining right at your little plant home. But don’t worry- I have all the right answers in this cooled greenhouse guide so that you’ll ensure your green family is happy and thriving. Let’s get right into it!
Ways to cool your greenhouse during summer
Good ventilation
This probably sounds quite obvious, but establishing good ventilation is one of the best answers to how to start to cool your greenhouse. You might do this naturally, which means creating openings through which fresh air and wind will circulate inside the space. However, if you have a bigger greenhouse or live in an area where summers are unbearably hot, then naturally ventilating your space might be ineffective. In this case, it’s best to install a mechanical ventilation system.
Evaporative cooling
This type of cooling involves using the power of evaporating water on different surfaces to cool the heated air. Installing an evaporating system can drop the temperature inside your greenhouse by up 20 degrees below the outside conditions. You can achieve this by installing a fan and pad system, and it’s quite a successful cooling method.
Fans
Another answer to how to cool a greenhouse is with a fan. However, remember that these can only lower the temperature by a few degrees, as they only circulate the indoor air. This makes it ideal for climates that don’t tend to get very hot.
Misting system
When you’re thinking about creating ways to cool your greenhouse, don’t forget to consider misting. These systems are made from a lines network, usually running along the ceiling of your enclosed garden. The lines have small nozzles through which pressurized water is forced out in the form of a mist, which then evaporates and cools down the air.
Shade cloth
This is yet another one on my list of effective ways to cool your greenhouse. It means that you need to use a fabric cloth to block a certain amount of sunlight. You can easily use this as a barrier by installing it above the plants. It’s available in different sizes and thickness levels, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your space.
Natural solutions
If you haven’t yet created your own greenhouse, think about building it under a big tree (if you have one, of course). This will provide natural shade to your garden space and keep it cool on hot summer days. Another tip you can use is to take advantage of the windy weather and use it to cool the inside naturally. See if an area aligns with natural wind patterns and build your greenhouse there.
Damping
This is the process of spraying water on pathways or other surfaces inside your greenhouse so that the water later evaporates and cools the air. It is similar to misting – it just differs in how you provide water into the place. Damping down your enclosed garden will create a humid space, helping your plants resist the summer heat.
Watering
No cooling method will be much effective if you don’t water your plants regularly. Watering is very important for keeping them fresh and healthy and making them more resistant to hotter temperatures.
These are some of the most common ways to cool your greenhouse during summertime and ensure you have the best conditions to grow your own food. But this doesn’t mean you need to use all of them at once – start with one or two to see which ones are best for your space and the climate in which you live.
If you have any questions or want to share your opinion on the topic, don’t hesitate to start a conversation. Also, make sure that you read the rest of my blog posts and discover more useful tips.
