Teaching Organic Farming & Gardening

Propagation/Greenhouse Management

Unit 1.3 | Part 1 – 127
Instructor’s Demonstration 1 Outline

Demonstration 1: Greenhouse Management

for the instructor

OVERVIEW

This demonstration provides

students with an understanding

of the working components of the

greenhouse facility and the tools

available to manage environmental

conditions that best meet the needs

of pre-emergent and seedling

crops in the facility. Students

should become familiar with the

fundamental skills and concepts to

create ideal growing conditions, such

as temperature and air circulation

management.

PREPARATION AND MATERIALS

• A working greenhouse structure where the essential
  management tools and techniques can be discussed and
  demonstrated


• Thermometer and Appendix 12, Greenhouse Records
  Sheet, to show current conditions and records of recent
  temperature fluctuations


• Thermometers positioned in different microclimatic zones
  (if applicable) to show how differences can be used to meet
  different plant needs under a single management regimen

PREPARATION TIME

1 hour

DEMONSTRATION TIME

1 hour

DEMONSTRATION OUTLINE

A. Managing Greenhouses

1. Discuss and demonstrate orientation of greenhouse
   (i.e., solar aspect)


2. Discuss and demonstrate methods for air circulation via
   venting, fans, etc.


3. Discuss and demonstrate temperature management
   a) Ideal temperature ranges (see Appendix 3)
   b) How heat is retained
   c) The use of thermal mass in heat retention
   d) Techniques for evaporative cooling
   e) The role of venting in maintaining ideal temperature,
   humidity, and gas exchange
   f) Active heating systems


4. Use of microclimates within greenhouse


5. Discuss and demonstrate record keeping in the
   greenhouse (see Appendix 12)
   a) Date
   b) Previous high/low
   c) Current temperature
   d) Weather description
   e) Description of environmental conditions in
   greenhouse
   f) Management actions taken