Self-Sufficient.co.uk
Find out more about Self Sufficiency
Latest Articles
Green Manure
Find out the benefits of green manure and its uses
grow your own
10:25, 14th Aug 2008
Build a Pallet Shed
Build yourself a shed from used pallets
shed
13:31, 23rd Jul 2008
Choosing a Greenhouse
Decide which greenhouse is right for you
greenhouse
13:26, 23rd Jul 2008
Chicken Coop
House chickens in a suitable chicken coop
livestock
13:13, 23rd Jul 2008
Keeping Chickens
Find out more about the practicalities of keeping chickens
livestock
13:11, 23rd Jul 2008
Growing Redcurrants
Find out more about growing your own redcurrants
grow your own
09:02, 21st Jul 2008
Nettles
Find out more about nettles - how to benefit from them and how to get rid of them
foraging
11:48, 19th Jul 2008
Growing Peas
Find out more about growing delicious peas
vegetables
16:16, 18th Jul 2008
Greenhouse Ventilation
Understand the importance of venilation in a greenhouse
Greenhouse Ventilation
greenhouse | grow your ownExcellent Ventilation is essential if your Greenhouse crops are to thrive. Ventilation controls the temperature and humidity of the air in the greenhouse, both of which are essential factors. Excessive humidity can lead to mildew and other fungi proliferating, and excessive heat can quickly dry out and kill your crops.
Greenhouse ventilators are generally positioned in the roof and sometimes in the sides of the greenhouse. In the ideal world around 20% of the total floor area should be dedicated to ventilation, so in an 8 x 6 foot small domestic greenhouse, there should really be around 9 square foot of ventilation. Unfortunately it is rare that a greenhouse supplied as standard will provide any where near that much ventilation.
Through the seasons the ventilators should be used differently. During the spring just the greenhouse roof ventilators should be used. This is will lead to a slow flow of air as the hottest air escapes through the roof. As temperatures hot up during late spring and summer side ventilators (or the door) should be opened. This will result in a large increase in air flow as cool air enters the greenhouse from the side and hot air escapes through the roof. Even during the cold of winter and early spring ventilation is vital during those still, cold, and damp days when the air is stagnant and not moving. A little roof ventilation, ideally with some heat, is important.
If you intend to grow a self-sufficient crop of fruits and vegetables in your greenhouse, then it is even more important to ensure that ventilation is taken care off. Therefore it is well worth investing in an extractor fan (fitted into one of the panes of glass in the roof) which will completely replace the air in the greenhouse every few minutes on the hottest days. Using a thermostatic controller enables the extractor fan to be run automatically, and it can also be powered with environmentally friendly solar panels.
NEW - Click here to visit our Greenhouse Directory with details of suppliers of greenhouses and related accessories.
Article Published: 12:29, 9th Jul 2008
Related Articles
Watering Your Greenhouse
Find out how to keep your greenhouse plants well watered
Article Published: 12:29, 9th Jul 2008
greenhouse | grow your own
Choosing a Greenhouse
Decide which greenhouse is right for you
Article Published: 13:26, 23rd Jul 2008
greenhouse | building | grow your own
The Greenhouse
Find out more about the benefits of greenhouses and glasshouses
Article Published: 12:29, 9th Jul 2008
greenhouse | building | grow your own | smallholding
Why Buy a Polytunnel
Learn about Polytunnels and their benefits
Article Published: 12:29, 9th Jul 2008
building | grow your own | greenhouse | smallholding
Polytunnel Hot Spot Tape
Find out about the use of anti hot spot tape in polytunnels
Article Published: 12:29, 9th Jul 2008
building | grow your own | greenhouse
Grow Potatoes in Containers
Find out how to grow potatoes in the smallest garden
Article Published: 11:51, 5th Jul 2008
vegetables | grow your own
Carrot Fly
Understand carrot fly and how to protect your crops from them
Article Published: 10:13, 5th Jul 2008
vegetables | grow your own
Free Greenhouse Heating
Find out how to heat your greenhouse the environmentally friendly way
Article Published: 12:29, 9th Jul 2008
greenhouse | building
Your Vegetable Plot
Find out more about the ideal vegetable plot
Article Published: 13:12, 8th Jul 2008
vegetables | grow your own
Fighting Slugs
Find out how to protect your crops from slugs
Article Published: 10:20, 18th Jul 2008
vegetables | grow your own