How to determine the spacing between greenhouses?

How to determine the spacing between greenhouses?

Before discussing how to determine the spacing between greenhouses, it's necessary to familiarize ourselves with some basic science within the greenhouse industry. This is especially important for ordinary users. The term "greenhouse" is simply a colloquial expression used in everyday language. There isn't a specific type of greenhouse in the industry; instead, greenhouses are broadly categorized into three types based on their names: spring and autumn greenhouses, solar greenhouses, and multi-span greenhouses.

Spacing issues of different greenhouse types

In practical applications of greenhouses, the spacing between greenhouses is mainly considered in terms of whether there will be any obstruction, affecting the sunlight received by crops inside. However, the three different types of greenhouses vary significantly in terms of sunlight obstruction. Spring and autumn greenhouses and multi-span greenhouses share a common feature: they are entirely composed of transparent covering materials, resulting in relatively low sunlight obstruction for the front and rear sections. Solar greenhouses, on the other hand, are characterized by a single wall that provides almost 100% shading. When constructing a solar greenhouse, the distance of this rear wall directly affects the placement of the subsequent greenhouse sections.

A certain distance is also required between spring and autumn greenhouses and multi-span greenhouses.

Both types of greenhouses use transparent covering materials, so the impact of sunlight on plant growth is negligible. However, sufficient distance between greenhouses is still necessary. This is mainly related to the practical application of greenhouses, especially in long greenhouses. A wide enough passageway between greenhouses facilitates vehicle access for transporting crops and other materials. Another point is greenhouse maintenance, particularly in multi-span greenhouses. If the covering material is damaged, large equipment is needed for hoisting operations, requiring a maintenance access point, typically at least 4 meters wide.

The spacing between greenhouses must be considered.

A solar greenhouse is a rather special type of greenhouse, primarily found in northern regions, and can be considered a greenhouse type unique to the north. This is due to its wall structure, which comes in various forms, but that's not the focus today. The spacing between greenhouses mainly affects the amount of sunlight blocked by the walls, impacting the construction of subsequent greenhouses. Maintaining an appropriate distance between greenhouses is crucial to ensure sufficient sunlight exposure for crops inside the later greenhouses, which would otherwise hinder their normal growth.

This is relatively easy to understand for areas where solar greenhouses are built. Let's briefly analyze it here. It mainly refers to the location of construction, such as hilly areas and plains. The spacing between greenhouses differs greatly in these areas. Furthermore, greenhouse construction must fully utilize land and avoid wasting land resources. In hilly areas, if the greenhouse is built on a sunny area, it will be terraced, minimizing the indirection between greenhouses. Plains are different; a latitudinal factor must be considered, and since solar greenhouses are mainly used in winter, the longest shadow is on the winter solstice.

Most netizens are generally aware of the usage time of solar greenhouses. They primarily address the issue of off-season vegetable cultivation during winter due to their excellent heat retention; farmers often refer to them as "warm sheds." However, another crucial factor to consider is the duration of sunlight exposure. This duration not only necessitates photosynthesis for crop growth but also represents the amount of heat the greenhouse needs to retain during the day. Different crops have different light requirements. For example, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers require more than six hours of sunlight per day, making them high-light crops. Conversely, some low-light crops, such as celery, rapeseed, and bok choy, only need about four hours of sunlight per day to ensure normal production.