I live in Southern California, zone 9b. I would like to have a greenhouse in my yard but am having trouble picking a design that works for the climate. This Summer in particular it was so hot for so long that I lost several plants, they literally cooked. I know that I will need something I can put some shade cloth over and will have good ventilation.
Winter wise I am not really worried about warmth but more so about keeping everything dry. This is why I don't think simply building a structure to hang shade cloth over is going to cut it.
I am not a DIYer and so will need something mostly ready made. I've been looking at this one:
https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/produ ... AlEALw_wcB
My thoughts are that because the windows do not go all the way to the ground, I am limiting the shelving I can have for plants. I know typically benches are just one level but currently I have everything growing on tiered, stair-step shelving which greatly expands the space available and I would like something similar.
Any tips or suggestions from others growing in similar climates would be greatly appreciated.
Greenhouse for So. Cal
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CactusClamour
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2024 3:39 am
Re: Greenhouse for So. Cal
I think I live in a similar climate. The summer is long and hot and the cold isn't too bad in the winter.
I have a net house which seems to work well and is mostly planned to stop the plants from getting wet in the winter which is very wet. I built it out of metal (wood is expensive in Israel). The roof is made of clear plastic to stop the rain.
The walls are covered in plastic in the bottom one meter (It is especially important if you have kids or dogs running around and crashing into it) and the top one meter is made of insect net all around. This setup allows a lot of ventilation. The roof is overhanging from all sides to stop rain that comes sideways. The net also stops most rain and I hardly have things getting wet in the winter (I live in a very windy place).
This setup does get hot in the summer. The temperature inside at noon is almost always higher than the outside. In the night its almost at equilibrium with the outside. In the summer days it could get pretty hot but I guess a fan or a shade cloth can solve that (havn't tried either). I don't think I ever lost a plant to heat (I find other ways to loose them
.
I have a net house which seems to work well and is mostly planned to stop the plants from getting wet in the winter which is very wet. I built it out of metal (wood is expensive in Israel). The roof is made of clear plastic to stop the rain.
The walls are covered in plastic in the bottom one meter (It is especially important if you have kids or dogs running around and crashing into it) and the top one meter is made of insect net all around. This setup allows a lot of ventilation. The roof is overhanging from all sides to stop rain that comes sideways. The net also stops most rain and I hardly have things getting wet in the winter (I live in a very windy place).
This setup does get hot in the summer. The temperature inside at noon is almost always higher than the outside. In the night its almost at equilibrium with the outside. In the summer days it could get pretty hot but I guess a fan or a shade cloth can solve that (havn't tried either). I don't think I ever lost a plant to heat (I find other ways to loose them
.
Re: Greenhouse for So. Cal
I live in Southern California
You need to have 40-60% shade cloth for Summer
and some window or screens to let in ventilation
I have fine wire screen at most of the bottoms of my green house, and a top vent, it lets in air but stays warm
and the wire screen keeps out critters
My other green house for winer growers has screen/shade cloth on all sides to stay cool, but keeps the rain off
You need to have 40-60% shade cloth for Summer
and some window or screens to let in ventilation
I have fine wire screen at most of the bottoms of my green house, and a top vent, it lets in air but stays warm
and the wire screen keeps out critters
My other green house for winer growers has screen/shade cloth on all sides to stay cool, but keeps the rain off