Greenhouse Growing

I'm kinda interested in this and was wondering if people had more input on it. I have the room to get a greenhouse just can't decide if it's a good idea. Is anyone knowledgeable on this topic?

I'm growing this year, for the first time in a green house I built over the winter months ($250 total - 12' x 25'). The big issue is heat. You want at minimum 2 fans. One up high for exhaust, and one down low from intake (I have my intake fan in a shaded area to help keep the air cool. I also bought a cheap misting system from Lowes for around $20, and a water timer for the misting system that goes off for 10 minutes every hour (about $25 on ebay). The misting system drops the temps by 20 degrees or so by itself. Otherwise it's 105+ degree's in there, even in February.

You can also buy a shade tarp (reflective tarp) for about $20 to cover it on really hot days (Everyday around here in the summer!) - Harbor Freight.

The next big issue is height. Some of my larger plants are hitting the 6' range. I have another 4' or space so no worries there, but just something to keep in mind. Other than that, it's really no different than growing tomato's outside.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Love my greenhouse. Build it twice as big as you are thinking!

I've managed a few greenhouses. It's the best way to grow except for the really hot summer months when I generally summered everything outside on the north side of the greenhouse.
Fans are a must. Heat in wintertime is a luxury if you can afford it. Propane tanks are your best bet if you go with heat. I kept my thermostat at 55F in winter. Even the tropicals did well.
And if you have space you can grow veggies and companion plants for the veggies and the Cannabis to ward off pests. Greenhouses are a wonderful place to putter in wintertime when there is little life outside and you can start seeds in February for a May planting outdoors.
If you need specific help let me know.

dannyboy602 said:

I've managed a few greenhouses. It's the best way to grow except for the really hot summer months when I generally summered everything outside on the north side of the greenhouse.
Fans are a must. Heat in wintertime is a luxury if you can afford it. Propane tanks are your best bet if you go with heat. I kept my thermostat at 55F in winter. Even the tropicals did well.
And if you have space you can grow veggies and companion plants for the veggies and the Cannabis to ward off pests. Greenhouses are a wonderful place to putter in wintertime when there is little life outside and you can start seeds in February for a May planting outdoors.
If you need specific help let me know.

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Yea I live in the bay area, San Jose area and last week we had temps up to 105 all ready so I'm sure summer is going to be really hot this year. That was my main concern is the heat cause I don't want mold or anything on my plants. But i would also like to keep neighborhood cats away cause I saw footprints in one pot and it smelled like cat spray ew

My highs can get up around 90 outside and my inside GH temp can hit 115 with fans running at full air exchange every minute. I estimate that 20% of light is blocked by skin and rafters. Tried running a 30% shade cloth first year and had buds a little on the airy side. Pulled the shade cloth for next two seasons and plants produced solid buds, but I wonder how much growth is stunted by high heat days. My plants do not show signs of heat stress but I use large pots that can hold lots of soil and water, and I often have to water twice a day when it is really hot and dry. Playing with a mist fan for this year but excess moisture is a big concern. So yes, heat will be a big issue to address. Try to find a design that allows the sides to be rolled up or just use shade screen for some walls. Love doubejj's carport greenhouse for areas like yours.

Bugeye said:

My highs can get up around 90 outside and my inside GH temp can hit 115 with fans running at full air exchange every minute. I estimate that 20% of light is blocked by skin and rafters. Tried running a 30% shade cloth first year and had buds a little on the airy side. Pulled the shade cloth for next two seasons and plants produced solid buds, but I wonder how much growth is stunted by high heat days. My plants do not show signs of heat stress but I use large pots that can hold lots of soil and water, and I often have to water twice a day when it is really hot and dry. Playing with a mist fan for this year but excess moisture is a big concern. So yes, heat will be a big issue to address. Try to find a design that allows the sides to be rolled up or just use shade screen for some walls. Love doubejj's carport greenhouse for areas like yours.

Click to expand...

Thank you, Very helpful

Just came across "micro" misters the other day. I guess they create a really fine mist that never hits the plants. Keep them up high! - Just a thought if anyone is considering a misting system to cool their greenhouses. Not sure exactly were to get them. Google search brings up all sorts of them, but which ones for sure actually do what they say I couldn't tell you. Make sure you turn it off at night though.