Mother's Mini-Manual: Greenhouse Gardening

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4. When installing a central heating system, give thought to additional capacity if you plan to add a workshop later, enlarge the greenhouse, or have one plant heat greenhouse and home.

5. Take heed when using any type of vented heater. Use every precaution to prevent downdrafts.

6. Never use a heating system that requires manufactured gas as a fuel, it is injurious to plants.

7. Be certain the heating system is equipped with adequate controls, such as safety pilots and an automatic shut-off switch.

8. Locate several accurate thermostats, positioned at plant height, throughout the greenhouse to provide a check on heat distribution.

9. Place shades above thermometers and thermostats to avoid false readings caused by sun rays.

10. Install a temperature alarm to warn of dangerously low temperatures. Be sure to set the temperature warning high enough to give time to remedy heating or power failure before the plants are killed.

1. Provide for emergency heat. Position portable kerosene heaters and/or gasoline or propane catalytic heaters throughout the greenhouse. Perhaps a better way is to install a standby electric generator of sufficient wattage to meet power failure or brownouts.

VENTILATING¹

Whether building a greenhouse yourself or selecting one already constructed, give special attention to the design and the way in which it is ventilated, since ventilation and temperature are key issues in greenhouse management. In fact, a close relationship exists between ventilation and temperature. No matter how small the greenhouse, there should be some provision made for ventilation at the highest point, usually near the ridge of the roof, where hot air rises to collect. The best arrangement for good ventilation is to alternate the vents on each side of the roof adjoining the ridge. This is not necessary for small greenhouses where there is only need for one roof vent. Vents should be built into the vertical sides of the greenhouse either at or below bench level. The purpose is to supply incoming fresh air. The combination of ridge vents and side vents provide desirable air currents inside the greenhouse.

Every ventilation system should meet these objectives:

1. To exchange inside air for fresh outside air. Such an exchange is just as important for plants as it is for people when several are closed up hour after hour in an unventilated room.

2. To control temperatures by allowing hot air to escape from a high point, to be replaced by cooler, fresh air entering at a lower level.

3. To be able to exchange air of high humidity, caused by plant transpiration, with fresh, drier air which is capable of absorbing more moisture.

4. To ensure against attacks from plant diseases and pests, which are more prevalent in unventilated quarters.

MECHANICAL VENTILATORS¹

For the reader who has little time, or who does not care for hand-operated vent lifting equipment — or who just desires better temperature control — an automatic, motorized vent system should be considered.

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