Hey there! In modern agriculture, greenhouses are like amazing magic houses for plants, providing the best growth conditions for various crops. But here's the thing - the orientation of a greenhouse is a big deal. It directly affects whether crops can grow healthily and how efficient photosynthesis is. Let's dig into the secrets of greenhouse orientation today!
Ideal Orientations for Different Greenhouse Types
Single - Arch Greenhouses and Large - Span Quilt - Covered Arch Greenhouses
These greenhouses usually extend in a north - south direction. This layout ensures more even indoor lighting. In the morning, the plants on the east side can enjoy the sunlight, and in the afternoon, those on the west side get their share. The morning and afternoon light work together to benefit the plants. Also, the north - south extension is great for ventilation. For example, Chengfei Greenhouse, a professional greenhouse construction company, once built a single - arch greenhouse for strawberry cultivation. The north - south orientation made the strawberries receive uniform light and good ventilation, resulting in plump and sweet fruits. In the case of large - span quilt - covered arch greenhouses for tomato growing, the proper orientation helps the tomatoes grow big and juicy.
Single - Slope Greenhouses (Energy - Saving Solar Greenhouses)
Single - slope greenhouses, also known as energy - saving solar greenhouses, should face south with their main lighting surfaces towards the south. In rural areas of northern China, many farmers use this type of greenhouse to grow cucumbers in winter. The south - facing orientation allows the greenhouse to capture the maximum solar radiation in winter, raising the indoor temperature. Even in cold winters, the cucumbers inside can grow vigorously. However, in high - latitude regions or areas with heavy morning fog and low temperatures, since the sunrise is late, the greenhouse can be slightly inclined to the west. Some greenhouses in northern Europe are designed this way to make better use of the weak afternoon sunlight. On the contrary, in areas where winters are not too cold, with good morning light and little fog, like some coastal areas in southern China, the greenhouse can be slightly inclined to the east. A greenhouse for growing leafy greens in such an area, with an east - inclined orientation, enables the leafy greens to start photosynthesis earlier, leading to lush growth. Generally, the deviation angle is about 5° to the west or east of south, and should not exceed 10°.
Multi - Span Greenhouses
Multi - span greenhouses have fully transparent tops and sides, so the orientation has a relatively smaller impact on the indoor light and heat environment. When determining the orientation of a multi - span greenhouse, factors like ventilation and shading are mainly considered. In a modern agricultural park, there is a large multi - span greenhouse for cultivating various precious flowers. With a north - south - oriented ridge, the indoor ventilation is excellent. The air can circulate freely, preventing the accumulation of stagnant air and reducing the risk of diseases. Also, there are fewer indoor shadows, ensuring that each flower plant can receive sufficient and even light, which is beneficial for high - quality flower cultivation. Chengfei Greenhouse has rich experience in building multi - span greenhouses, creating a favorable environment for flower growth through reasonable orientation design.
Influence of Hemisphere on Greenhouse Orientation
In the northern hemisphere, which includes North America, Europe, most of Asia, a large part of the African continent, and some of South America, the sun is always in the south throughout the day. The farther away from the equator, the more southward the sun is. So, theoretically, a south - oriented greenhouse can receive more sunlight. For instance, in the vineyards of California, the greenhouses for grape cultivation all face south. The abundant sunlight helps the grapevines absorb enough energy, which is crucial for grape ripening and sugar accumulation. If a south - facing area is not available, an area with good morning sun is also a good option. In a small backyard greenhouse in a European town, although it can't face directly south, the morning sun can warm up the greenhouse throughout the day, allowing the small - scale vegetable plants to grow healthily.
In the southern hemisphere, it's the opposite. Greenhouses should preferably face north to maximize sunlight exposure. In a fruit - growing greenhouse in Australia, the north - facing orientation enables the fruit trees to make full use of the sunlight, resulting in high fruit yields.
Other Factors Affecting Greenhouse Orientation
Available Space
If the available space for building a greenhouse is limited and it's difficult to achieve the ideal orientation, you need to get creative. In a small backyard surrounded by buildings in a crowded urban area, it's hard to find a perfect south - facing (in the northern hemisphere) or north - facing (in the southern hemisphere) area. But a gardening enthusiast might build a small greenhouse at an angle that can receive relatively more sunlight. Although it's not the optimal orientation, it can still be used to grow some small herbs and ornamental plants, making the small yard full of life.
Season
The influence of seasons on greenhouse orientation can't be ignored. In summer, the sunlight is strong, and the greenhouse may overheat. In a tomato - growing greenhouse in the Mediterranean region, shading measures are needed in summer. Planting deciduous trees around the greenhouse is a good solution. In summer, the lush leaves can provide shade, and in winter, after the leaves fall, more sunlight can enter the greenhouse, ensuring that the tomatoes can grow comfortably in both summer and winter.
Climatic Zone
In different climatic zones, the orientation requirements for greenhouses vary. In tropical regions with high temperatures all year round, ventilation and heat dissipation are more important. A greenhouse in the Amazon region focuses on proper ventilation to keep the tropical plants cool. While in temperate regions, getting sufficient sunlight in winter is more crucial. A greenhouse in a temperate area in the United States is carefully oriented to ensure maximum sunlight intake during winter for the growth of various vegetables.
Topography
A south - facing hillside can be an excellent location for a solar greenhouse. In a mountainous area in China, a solar greenhouse is built on a south - facing slope. The earth on the north side of the greenhouse provides insulation and protection. However, building on a sloped site requires more time and effort. A structural north wall, usually in the form of a concrete retaining wall, needs to be built to withstand the additional downward pressure of the soil. This greenhouse has successfully grown a variety of high - altitude - adapted crops.
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Post time: Feb-12-2025
