How I Grow in a Greenhouse (in Summer)

Keeping a greenhouse from overheating is the biggest challenge in summer. Gardener Scott shows some of the methods he uses to keep greenhouse temperature under control to grow summer plants. (Video #472)

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[rochellemiller]

I have a home built greenhouse in western Kansas in a similar climate to where you are. The first winter I was able to grow cold weather crops all winter long. I do have water barrels and extra insulation and I ran a small heater when we had an extra cold period that got down to negative teens for multiple days running. Where I ran into trouble was in the next summer. Having my greenhouse door open all day and my vents open 24/7 I had mice and birds getting into the greenhouse. When I tried to start my plants in September for the next winter my seedlings were instantly eaten. Sowing in the ground the seeds were stolen. I learned the hard keep my vents screened and I built a cute screen door which fits over my open door. problem solved, lesson learned! Thought I’d share.

[garynorcal]

Thank you for consistently good advice for your fellow gardeners.

[chernagast]

My good man, you are the Bob Ross of gardening.

[amymorales]

Regulating the temperature of my greenhouse, in a lower latitude and high elevation environment, has been a real challenge. Recently, we had outdoor temperatures of 107.5*F, and my plants outside were struggling. Inside the greenhouse, kale and cabbage were doing fine in the aquaponics grow beds. I think that the running water in the aquaponics system helps to cool things. I have solar powered exhaust fans, and automatic vents. I cover the greenhouse in summer with a tarp which has “windows cut in it, and a shade-cloth canopy shades the entire greenhouse because the sunlight here is extremely intense. I’m always looking for ways to do things better, so I appreciate your videos.

[melissakingery]

I'm not sure
How I
Lost you Scott! I love your show

[mikemiller]

I had to put the shade cloth on the outside to get mine cooled off.. once the sun entered the greenhouse so did the heat

[jwstanley]

Thanks Scott. Great advice. As you say, ventilation essential to a greenhouse. btw, windows over doors are often called 'transoms.' Centuries past, people built them inside homes and schools, etc., before electric fans became ubiquitous, to control air flow in all seasons.

[racebiketuner]

You make a lot of good points, especially about having doors on opposite sides.

[Reindeer_jay]

I appreciate the Celsius conversions 👍🙂

[anniecochrane]

Really great advice. I cant find a smaller greenhouse with more than one door and one vent, so installing solar fans may well overcome this disadvantage. I really appreciate how your advice is always based on your tried and true experience.

[tammyohlsson]

Great advice! I’m in SE Texas. Nothing in my greenhouse until first frost.
Even with a window, door, shade cloth and exhaust fan, it’s over 110 by 11 am.
My fan is set to come on at 110. Just to protect the greenhouse. But it’s awesome in the winter with just a small electric heater.
Trade offs for different climates.
Thank you for sharing all your wisdom.
Blessings!

[heidiclark]

Thank you for the info on regulating your temperatures in your greenhouse. I hope to have one someday.

[TerribleTim]

Thanks for this video Scott. I'm on the right track it seems. My greenhouse only has a door on one end and vents in the middle. But with a fan I've been ab le to keep it somewhat controlled. It's a lot of maintenance turning on and off the fan each day, but I don't mind. My greenhouse has gotten as much as 15-20 degrees above outside temps, but it's also not as hot here in the PNW as it is where you are. We're getting through it, cooler days will be here way too quick.

[eliandkate]

Fantastic advice for new greenhouse owners. And lovely to get a nosey into your greenhouse

[nickthegardener.]

I think you have thought of every eventuality.👍🤠

[lalocura]

Felicidades Scott, por hacer tan buen trabajo difundiendo tu conocimiento para los que recién empezamos con un invernadero, y nos encontramos con todo tipo de problemas que no siempre sabemos abordar.

Escribo desde el interior de España, una zona climática muy similar a la tuya, pero sin esas nevadas locas que sufres.

La malla de sombra la has colgado en el interior del invernadero, imagino que para que no te bloquee las claraboyas de ventilación, pero colocar la malla de sombra en el interior puede hacer que la temperatura en interior aumente mucho más que si la colocas en el exterior.

También habría que advertir a la audiencia que ese 30% de sombra, va a hacer que tus plantas produzca un 30% menos y maduren bastante más tarde, aunque es el precio a pagar para no alcanzar 50°C de máxima durante los peores meses del verano.

[lastchancemonicam]

Thank you for the video. My temperatures are well above 100 F on a regular basis, so I have to choose my plants accordingly, and no greenhouse for me. They might be nicer in the winter, but in the summer it would be a plant cemetery for all but cacti and succulents.

[dlv]

I live in the PNW and when it gets to be over 80 degrees outside the temp in my greenhouse will skyrocket. I've seen it reach 130 when the outside temp is around 90. All the vents and windows are open too! This was my first summer with the new greenhouse so I didn't really do much in there because of the heat. I will try using a shade cloth next summer. I hope to be able to do something come early fall and winter. I'm just not sure what.

[rider]

I am experimenting with a water tub with fan and duct tube to top of greenhouse so the heat blows down over water to cool. I also plan a vent like you said an have the solar set up. 3;x10;x8' tall out of two end double pane bay windows. LOL urban with floorboard alarm. Citrus and coffee in Canada

[seanrich]

Lots of good information, Gardener Scott. I've been learning every year while greenhouse growing. My only issue, certain times of year, you can't leave it because of the temp. fluxuation day to night. Maybe it's time to invest in an auto fan ventilator.?