Dec24,2015
Why the need for a temporary greenhouse. Temporary means that
it can be deconstructed when the need is gone. This is very significant and the
reasons will follow.
I do not feel that permanent greenhouses are a very good use
of money or space in Far west Texas. There are exceptions, but for growing
veggies I do not think so.
Where we live what I would call greenhouse season is very
short, from the middle of November to the middle of February. During this time
frame there would only be a need to heat the greenhouse. Before and after this
time frame daytime highs would necessitate cooling. I remind folks of last
week’s column when the film only bed encountered an 80 degree day. It got to be
over 120 inside.
I have noted that winter time (air) temperatures do have wide
swings but the winter time (soil) temperatures very seldom drop below the 40’s.
It is important to also note that plant growth (especially winter veggies)
resume growth at 50 degrees. Ten degrees is not the huge amount of heat to
generate.
Most winters have sunny days even if they are cold.
Harvesting this warmth with a passive greenhouse is really quite easy, excess
warmth heats the soil. I have also noted that soil warmth is retained by the
fabric during the night when there is a freeze. This harvested warmth keeps the
plants underneath from freezing. I have also mentioned that fabric does not
generate heat but conserves it, hence the need for the greenhouse film. Like
with the sun from a south facing window and it is cold outside, the room gets
quite warm.
If we can get the soil temperature up to at least 50 degrees
(60 degrees would be better), there would be some amazing growth underneath the
cover. There would be NO energy input other than just the sun.
Another problem with greenhouses especially if you are
growing in the ground there is the potential for soil pathogens or insect
infestations. Being able to remove the greenhouse and then expose the ground to
the elements takes care of this problem.
Greenhouses would become a blast furnace during the summer
unless you were to provide some kind of cooling or else they would be left
unused for a large portion of the year.
So I have high hopes that the experiment that I performed two
winters ago can be replicated. If this comes to pass I have a lot of optimism
that my winter gardening will be taken to a whole new level. This could change
my harvest quantities during the winter like the drip system did for my summer
veggies.
For better or for worse stay tuned for an early spring up
date (of course if this winter is sunny).
Questions? I can be contacted at markdirtfarmer@gmail.com. Or more
garden notes at redwagonfarm.blogspot.com
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