The only experiences I have had with greenhouses is in Michigan, where they are used to protect plants in the winter. I am wondering if it is possible to use them to protect plants from heat/drought during the summer in Texas? Would it be possible to keep vegetables alive during the worst parts of the summer, or would the greenhouse just turn into an oven? Does anyone have any experience or knowledge that might help answer my question?
Thanks!
Dennis
Greenhouses?
I am sure with proper airflow and venting, it could be done.
Mine is only a small plant shelter. I use shadecloth on the roof which cuts the inside temp by at least 10-15 degrees. All I keep in it during summer is the succulents. They can endure the heat and it prevents them from being unnecessarily drenched by rains.
Perhaps someone with experience in vegies will be able to tell you more.
Dennis, It really depends on what you plan to put in a green house in summer. IT must have a shadecloth!!!!!!! I use ( hyperlink ) www.teksupply .com Jerry
Sunlight passing through glass is partially converted to heat. That is why it gets so hot on a windowsill or inside a car. I see no way that it would be cooler inside a greenhouse than out unless you air condition it. If I were rich, I would get a greenhouse and air condition it. ;) I'd have tomatoes in August. muwhahaha! Sorry, had a moment there.
Most folks here garden September - June.
This message was edited Jun 23, 2008 10:57 AM
Dennis, The problem with growing winter or spring vegetables in the greenhouse would be keeping them cool without blocking needed sunlight. Too much shade and production falls.
Without something to cool the interior, greenhouses in Texas turn into ovens. As both podster and texasbigleaves have stated, you have to have a shadecloth, but you need to know what you are going to place in the greenhouse because the material comes in multiple shade densities. You will also need a way mist the interior to help cool it down. You would need to know how much shade the vegetable plants can tolerate and still produce the fruit for you.
I have two greenhouses:
1) An 8 X 8 X 8 built with corrugated polycarbonate sheets and covered with reflective shadecloth. Since I use it for my orchids, it is used year round. Before my DH installed a swamp cooler, I had to run out and spray everything down several times a day to lower the tgreenhouse emperature. Still, the swamp cooler isn't enough. I need a misting system, but our well water has a high mineral content so I would also need a reverse osmosis system. I have settled for a fogger, but the line that provides water to the swamp cooler has to be modified. Am waiting for DH who said he would do it. My swamp cooler broke down recently and I'm waiting for a replacement motor. A few days ago, the outside temperature hit 100ºF. The temperature in the greenhouse was 113ºF. The swamp cooler lowers the temperature by about 10ºF. I'll have to see how much the fogger helps. I can't grow cool temp orchids unless I install a portable air conditioner or a whole wall swamp cooler.
2) A 20' X 20' Instant Greenhouse/Garden Center from FarmTek. Supposedly temporary, it is used mostly to overwinter plants. What I like about it is that all sides roll up and becomes a shadehouse during summer.
I've learned a larger greenhouse doesn't have the drastic temperature swings that a small one has.
Texasbigleaves' link:
http://www.teksupply.com/farm/supplies/cat1a;ts1_shade_houses_material.html
What vegetables do you plan to place in the greenhouse?
I don't need a greenhouse down here--but I do use the aluminet 40% shade cloth for bulb seedlings
This message was edited Jun 23, 2008 12:48 PM
Thanks for all the advice! I think I will just have to give up on veggies during the summer in Texas. I'll have to consider the greenhouse for other times of the year.
Dennis