Choosing the right location for a greenhouse is essential for successful crop cultivation and a bountiful harvest. One of the questions gardeners face is how to choose a greenhouse site.
There may be several options for placing a greenhouse on a site: the decision depends on climatic conditions, site characteristics, and the greenhouse design.
Why is it important to locate a greenhouse correctly?
A properly positioned greenhouse ensures that plants will have the most comfortable conditions for growth and development. Adequate lighting provides nutrients to plants, which positively impacts their growth. This also saves on energy costs by eliminating the need for lighting fixtures.
An incorrectly chosen location can affect the yield: there will be significantly fewer fruits, and they may also have an unusual taste or an uncharacteristic aroma.
How to choose the direction of a greenhouse
The placement of the greenhouse relative to the cardinal directions depends on the climate in the region and the characteristics of the land plot:
- For regions with cold winters and warm summers, an east-west orientation is recommended. This will ensure sufficient daylight for plants, which is especially important for growth and development.
- The north-south direction is relevant for the southern regions of the country, where the bright, hot sun prevails.
- An angular arrangement is typical for areas where it's impossible to choose one of the directions suggested above. It's important to remember that the light will be distributed unevenly across the plants.
Another criterion for choosing a direction is the wind rose at different times of the year.
Key factors for choosing a location
The choice of location for installing a greenhouse depends on the landscape features, the lighting of the area, and the proximity to utility systems.
Features of the relief and landscape
The site's topography affects the microclimate in the greenhouse and the condition of plants planted in the ground. The site should be level, with no elevation changes. Avoid installing a greenhouse in a low-lying area, as the soil there remains moist for a long time after precipitation and warms up slowly.
Illumination during the day
To ensure adequate daylight, it's recommended to orient the greenhouse from east to west. Alternatively, orient it from north to south. This way, the sun will shine through the eastern part of the greenhouse in the morning and evenly through the roof in the afternoon.
Proximity to home and utilities
The closer the greenhouse is to the house, the easier it will be to care for the plants. This will also make regular monitoring of the crops and the process of installing utilities into the greenhouse easier.
It is important to ensure unimpeded access for garden vehicles and watering hoses.
Taking into account additional factors
When choosing a location for a greenhouse, you should also pay attention to additional factors:
- Distance from neighbors. Avoid installing it close to a fence, as this can hinder access and limit sunlight.
- Soil quality. Each type of crop requires soil with specific characteristics. A soil analysis is recommended before installation.
- Proximity to utility systems – heating, electricity, water supply.
Taking the above factors into account will not only create comfortable conditions for plants, but also ensure unimpeded access to the greenhouse and simplify the process of caring for crops.
The role of artificial lighting
Greenhouse lighting is essential for the growth and development of any plant. Insufficient lighting in the greenhouse during winter can result in crops not developing, not producing a harvest, or even dying.
Having the right lighting will help speed up the development process, reduce nitrate levels, and provide the owner with a delicious harvest at any time of year.
Conclusion: An integrated approach to greenhouse placement
Proper greenhouse placement is a great way for gardeners to thoroughly prepare for growing crops year-round and achieving a bountiful harvest. However, not everyone knows how to properly locate a greenhouse on their property.
To achieve your goals, you need to carefully study the requirements of the crops you plan to plant, conduct a soil analysis, and create the most comfortable conditions.