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Latest Articles
Vintage Cider Apples
Find out more growing your own vintage cider apples
fruits
09:57, 4th Mar 2010
Review of Making the Most of It
A review of the book Making the Most of It by Barrington Markham
smallholding
15:56, 12th Mar 2009
Keeping Chickens
Find out more about the practicalities of keeping chickens
livestock
13:01, 23rd Feb 2009
Smallholding for Rent in Ireland
Rent a smallholding in County Clare, Ireland
smallholding
15:58, 16th Feb 2009
Small Holding For Sale in Slovenia
Buy a small holding in Slovenia and read the story of its current owner
smallholding
13:24, 29th Oct 2008
Why Buy a Polytunnel
Learn about Polytunnels and their benefits
building
17:12, 17th Sep 2008
Make Your Own DIY Polytunnel
Find out how to make your own robust polytunnel for half the price of the retail product
building
17:12, 17th Sep 2008
Hunting Rabbit
Find out how to hunt for delicious rabbit
hunting
14:58, 17th Sep 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
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Vintage Cider Apples
Find out more growing your own vintage cider apples
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Growing Peas
Find out more about growing delicious peas
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Your Vegetable Plot
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Carrot Fly
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