Most greenhouses are erected to produce plants sky.
Maximum sun altitude (angleof sun above earth's
during the off-season;therefore, they must provide a desir-
able plant environment. Correct location and orientation of
the house are of paramount importance in providing ideal
environmental conditions. Since location can also influence
the heating cost, labor utilization. and diseasefactors, eco-
nomic successmay also depend on the site selection.
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n sf o r l o c a t i n g a n d o r i e n t a t i n gy o u r
g r e e n h o u s ea r e g i v e n i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n . T h e f o l l o w i n g
specifications are the ideal ones; however, some builders
may not be able to follow each suggestiongiven, depending
o n i n d i v i d u a l l i m i t a t i o n s o f t h e i r h o u s e s .F o r e x a m p l e ,
houses used for display and sales purposes are often con-
nected to existing buildings; therefore, they may have to
sacrifice some of those factors described for production-
t y p e g r e e n h o u s e s .B e n c h c u l t u r e o r s i m i l a r p r o d u c t i o n
practices may also justify deviation from some of the
standard requiremenrs.To provide optimum plant response
and teaching effectiveness.however, the authors believe
recommendations should be followed as nearlv as
p o s s i b l ei n b u i l d i n g a l l h o u s e su s e d f o r e d u c a -
tional purposes.
LOCATION OF THE
GREENHOUSE
Sunlight
Sunlight provides
energy for plant growth, and
i s g e n e r a l l yt h e l i m i t i n g f a c t o r
in greenhousesW . hen plan-
ning the construction, give
p r i m a r y c o n s i d e r a t i o nt o o b -
taining maximum sunlight
exposure during those
"short" days of mid-ra,inter
when the sun is lowest in the
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department
Chules E. Barnhart, Diretor of Cooperative Extesion Service, University of Kentucky College oI Agriculture,
h o r i z o n ) o c c u r sa t n o o n a n d v a r i e sf r o m a h i g h o n J u n e 2 1
to a low on December 21. Solar altitudes for selectedlati-
tudes (distance measurec.l in deoreesn,:rth and south from
the equator) and times of day are given in Table 1. The
l a t i t u d e o l 4 2 o w o u l d c o r r e s p o n dt o D e t r o i t , M i c h i g a n ;3 8 o
t o L e x i n g t o n . K e n t u c k y , 3 4 o t o L i t t l e B o c k , A r k a n s a s a; n d
3 0 o t o N e w O r l e a n s .L o u i s i a n a .A t s o l a r n o o n , t h e s u n i s
l o c a t e dd u e s o u t h . T h i s m e a n st h a t t h e b u i l d i n gs i t e s h o u l d
preferably have an open southern exposure. lf the land
s l o p e s ,i t s h o u l d i d e a l l ys l o p et o t h e s o u t h .
D o n o t b u i l d n e a r l a r g et r e e s ,b u i l d i n g s ,o r o t h e r o b -
s t r u c t i o n sw h i c h w i l l s h a d et h e b u i l d i n g . F i g u r e 1 g i v e st h e
ratio of shadow length and height obstructions for selected
solar altitudes. To determine how far away an obstruction
must be to prevent a shadow on the greenhouse,multiply
these ratios by the obstruction height.As a generalrule, the
greenhouse should be located at least 2.5 times the height
of the object away from it, in either the east, west, or south
direction. Even objects this tall will cast lonq shadows
i n t h e e a r l y m o r n i n gw h e n t h e s u n i s p a r t i c u l a r -
ly low in the sky.
Soil
When plants are to be
grown in the soil covered by
t h e g r e e n h o u s e s, e l e c t a s i t e
w h e r e a d e e p ,g o o d d r a i n i n g ,
f e r t i l e s o i l i s a v a i l a b l e .A
sandy loam or silt loam type
soil is preferred.Avoid top
soil below which a tight
h a r d p a n i s p r e s e n t .A l t h o u g h
organic matter and artificial
types of conditioners can be
a d d e d , p r o b l e m sa r e r e d u c e d
i f a s i t e w i t h q o o d n a t u r a ls o i l
of Agriculture.
 AEN-32

Table 1.-Solar Altitudes for Selected Latitudes and Time{ lf you question the degreeof danger,grow selectedplants
i n s a m p l e so f t h e s o i l t o d e t e r m i n ei f a n y d e t e c t a b l ei n j u r y
SolarAltitudesat Specif
ied o c c u r s . N o x i o u s w e e d s e e d sc a n a l s o b e a p r o b l e m , b u t
Times,Degrees (Anglep of g e n e r a l l yp r o p e r s t e r i l i z a t i o nm e t h o d s w i l l k i l l m o s t w e e d
F i g u r e1 ) seeds.
8 : 0 0a . m . 1 0 : 0 0a . m . W h e r e a g o o d s o i l i s n o t a v a i l a b l ef o r t h e l o c a t i o no f
and and 12:OQ t h e g r e e n h o u s ec, o n s i d e rc u l t u r a l t e c h n i q u e su s i n ga r t i f i c i a l
Latitude Date 4 : 0 0p . m . 2 : 0 0p . m . (noon) m e d i as u c h a s o e a t a n d v e r m i c u l i t e .

420 Dec21 40 lgo 250

Drainage
Mar 21 &
Sept 21 22 4Q 48
June21 37 59 72 S e l e c t a s i t e t h a t i s l e v e la n d w e l l d r a i n e dt o r e d u c e
p r o b l e m sw i t h s a l t b u i l d - u pa n d i n s u f f i c i e n ts o i l a e r a t i o n .A
3go Dec 21 70 220 2go
Mar 21 & h i g h w a t e r t a b l e m a y r e s u l t i n s a t u r a t i o no f t h e s o i l a n d
Sept 21 23 43 52 prohibit effective use of the greenhouse.Ground water
June21 37 60 76 which flows into the house may carry soil diseases.lf neces-
uo Dec 21 go 260 330 s a r y , t i l e d r a i n t h e a r e a e n c l o s e db y t h e g r e e n h o u s eT. i l e
Mar 21 & lines within the greenhousecan also be used for steam
Sept 21 z1 46 56 s t e r i l i z a t i o ni f p r o p e r l y p l a c e di n t h e s o i l .
J u n e2 1 37 62 80
G r o u n d b e d s s h o u l d b e n e a r l y l e v e l .l f t h e y s l o p e i n
3oo Dec 21 110 2go 370 any direction, water will tend to concentrate in the low
Mar 21 &
areas, accentuating any problems of poor drainage.Slopes
Sept 21 26 49 60
J u n e2 1 37 84 w i t h i n t h e g r e e n h o u s ea l s o a l l o w h o t a i r t o r i s ea n d c o l d a i r
to settle, creating added problems for the environmental
* F r o m A . S . H . R . A . EG
. u i d ea n d O a t a B o o k , N e w Y o r k , 1 9 6 5 system to overcome. A greenhouse in a low, damp area
c o u l d b e s u b j e c tt o h i g h e r h u m i d i t i e sa n d d a m p n e s sw h i c h
accentuateleaf mold, diseases, etc.

ANGLEP R A T I OL / H
to 5.67 Sheltered Area
20 2,75
30 |.73
Although obtaining maximum sunlightshould have
40 t .t 9
o.84
f i r s t c o n s i d e r a t i o n ,p l a c i n g t h e g r e e n h o u s ei n a s h e l t e r e d
60 o.58 a r e a w i l l r e d u c e w i n d - i n d u c e dh e a t l o s s e s F . o r e x a m p l e ,a
70 o.36 w i n d b a r r i e rn o r t h o f t h e g r e e n h o u s e m a y m a t e r i a l l yr e d u c e
h e a t i n g c o s t s ;y e t i t w o u l d h a v e l i t t l e e f f e c t o n t h e l i g h t
received. Trees are helpful in preventing winter heat loss,
HEIGHT
OBSTRUCTION( H } but deciduous treeswhich lose their leavesin the winter are
n o t e f f e c t i v ew h e n t h e h e a t l o s sp o t e n t i a li s g r e a t e s t .
In areas of heavv winter snowfall where snowdrifts
occur, wind and srrow breaks need to be 100 feet or more

i S H A D O W L E N G T H( L )
---------l
I
]
away from the greenhouse to reduce major drifts.

Figure 1 Ratio of shadowlengthand obstructionheightfor selec- Utilities

ted solaraltitudes.
is selected. Grading often produces uneven soil conditions
w i t h i n t h e g r e e n h o u s eC. a r e f u ls o i l a n a l y s i sa n d p r e p a r a t i o n
are necessaryif even plant growth is to be achieved.Before
a n y o r g a n i c m a t t e r o r a d d i t i v e sa r e m i x e d w i t h t h e s o i l ,
m a k e a c o m p l e t e s o i l a n a l y s i sa n d c a r e f u l l y f o l l o w t h e
resulting recommendations.
A v o i d a r e a s w h e r e c h e m i c a l r e s i d u e sw h i c h w o u l d
'
i n l u r e g r e e n h o u s ec r o p s m a y p e r s i s t , i n c l u d i n g p l a c e s
h e a v i l ys p r a y e dw i t h d a m a g i n gw e e d k i l l e r s a n d h e r b i c i d e s .
A g r e e n h o u s er e q u i r e sa n u m b e r o f u t i l i t i e s .n o t a b l y
e l e c t r i c i t y ,w a t e r , a n d a n e n e r g ys o u r c ef o r h e a t .
Electricity: The electric servicefor ventilation alone
w i l l r e q u i r e a p p r o x i m a t e l y4 t o 6 k i l o w a t t s f o r a 1 1 4 - a c r e
r a n g e . F o r a s m a l l h o b b y - s i z e dh o u s e , c o n n e c t e dl o a d so f
u p t o I t o 2 k i l o w a t t sa r e n o t u n u s u a l .l f l i g h t sa r e u s e df o r
photoperiod control or supplemental ighting,the electric
l o a d w i l l i n c r e a s es i q n i fi c a n t l y . N o r m a l l y t h e e l e c t r i cp o w e r
c o m p a n i e s w i l l w i l l i n g l y s u p p l y t h e n e c e s s a r ys e r v i c e ;
however, the grower should attempt to anticipate his
intended electric usage and provide sufficient entrance
c a p a c i t yt o a l l o w f o r f u l l e l e c t r i cu t i l i z a t i o n .

z

W a t e r : A r e l i a b l es u p p l y o f c l e a nw a t e r i s m a n d a t o r y .
A w a t e r r e q u i r e m e n to f u p t o 1 / 3 g a l l o n p e r s q u a r ef o o t p e r
d a y m a y b e n e e d e d .D e p e n d i n gu p o n t h e s o i l t y p e , u p t o 1
gallon of water per square foot may be put on the soil at
o n e t i m e . W a t e r f r o m p o n d s h a s t h e d i s a d v a n t a go ef b e i n g
cold during the winter. lf this water is used directly for
irrigation, plant roots may chill, causinga detrimental
effect. Pump water from such sourcesinto a large storage
tank within a heated portion of the greenhouseor head-
house so that its temperature will approach that of the
p l a n t s .A l s o , w i t h p o n d s , t h e p o s s i b i l i t yo f c h e m i c a lp o l l u -
t i o n e x i s t s u n l e s st h e s u r r o u n d i n gd r a i n a g ea r e ai s c a r e f u l l y
controlled.
Energy Source: The availability of an inexpensive
energy source is often one of the most important factors in
determining where to build a greenhouserange.Natural gas
is a widely preferred fuel becauseof its clean performance.
l o w m a i n t e n a n c ea , n d r e l a t i v e l yl o w c o s t . N o t o n l y i s i t o n e
of the lower cost fuels, but gas heating equipment is gener-
a l l y a m o n g t h e l e a s t e x p e n s i v ef o r i n i t i a l c o s t . a n n u a l
m a i n t e n a n c ea, n d o p e r a t i n gc o s t s .L P G a s ,f u e l o i l , a n d c o a l
are alternate sources of fuel and can be transported to
greenhouselocations that are not close to gas lines.
Electric energy is becoming more competitive in
many areas for greenhouseheating where the above fuels
a r e i n s h o r t s u p p l y o r r a p i d l y r i s i n g i n c o s t s . H o t - a i rr e s i s t -
ance heating units can be used in hobby or individual
houses. Central hot-water furnaces could be more suitable
for larger combined houses of 1/4 acre or more. Since
heating costs can be as much as two-thirds of the produc-
tion cost for some crops,selecta location and energy source
c a r e f u l l yf o r f u t u r e a v a i l a b i l i t ya n d e c o n o m y .
Emergency Power
Standby emergency power equipment sized for
e l e c t r i c a ls u p p o r t o f h e a t i n ge q u i p m e n t ,a i r c i r c u l a t i o n ,a n d
minimum ventilation is vital when winter storms disrupt
l o c a l s e r v i c ef o r l o n g p e r i o d s( 2 h o u r s o r m o r e ) -
Alarm System
The consequencesof a heating system failure during
freezing temperaturescan be catastrophic.An alarm system
w h i c h i s i n d e p e n d e n to f t h e e l e c t r i c a sl e r v i c es h o u l d ,t h e r e -
f o r e , b e p r o v i d e d . P l a c e - t h e a l a r m b e l l i n a r e s i d e n c eo r
l o c a t i o nw h e r e p e o p l ea r e n o r m a l l y p r e s e n t .
Convenience
Locate the greenhousenear your place of residence,if
possible, or where a caretaker can be housed nearby. This
w i l l p r o v e c o n v e n i e n tf o r s e c u r i t y a n d w i l l f a c i l i t a t e c a r e
d u r i n g w e e k e n d so r h o l i d a y p e r i o d s . l f t h e v e n t i l a t i o na n d
AEN-32
w a t e r i n gs y s t e m sa r e n o t f u l l y a u t o m a t i c ,o p e r a t o rc a r ew i l l
a l s o b e m a n d a t o r y d u r i n g s u n n y p e r i o d s .S h o u l d a h e a t i n g
f a i l u r e o c c u r , c o r r e c t i v ea c t i o n m u s t b e p r o m p t .
O R I E N T A T I O NO F T H E G R E E N H O U S E
Light Availability and Shading Effects
O r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e g r e e n h o u s ef o r m a x i m u m l i g h t
a v a i l a b i l i t yi s a l s oa n i m p o r t a n t c o n s i d e r a t i o nM
. a n b e c ka n d
A l d r i c h ( " A n a l y t i c a l D e t e r m i n a t i o no f D i l e c t V i s i b l e S o l a r
E n e r g y T r a n s m i t t e db y R i g i d P l a s t i cG r e e n h o u s e s ,""T r a n s .
o f A S A E , 1 9 6 7 ) r e p o r t t h a t a n e a s t - w e s ot r i e n t a t i o r r( i . e . ,
t h e r i d g e o f t h e h o u s e r u n n i n ge a s t a n d w e s t ) i s p r e f e r a b l e
i n t h e w i n t e r f o r n o r t h e r n l o c a t i o n s( a b o v e4 0 o t o 4 5 " l a t i -
tude). At other times of the year for the northern regions
a n d a t a l l t i m e s f o r t h e s o u t h e r n r e g i o n s ,a n o r t h - s o u t h
o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e r i d g e i s p r e f e r a b l e .S i n c e l i g h t i s m o s t
c r i t i c a l d u r i n g m i d - w i n t e r ,g r o w e r si n t h e n o r t h e r n l a t i t u d e s
( i . e . , 4 0 " N o r g r e a t e r )s h o u l d u s e t h e e a s t - w e sot r i e n t a t i o n
for single-width houses if possible.With east-westorienta-
t i o n , h o w e v e r , a p r o b l e m i s e n c o u n t e r e dw i t h r i d g e a n d
f u r r o w h o u s e s .A d e f i n i t e s h a d o w l i n e d e v e l o p sw i t h i n t h e
housesdue to the north sloping roof sectionsand the gutter
between sectionsof the house.This shadow effect is usually
sufficient to result in reduced plant growth in the region of
the house affected. Depending upon the width of span, the
shadow area can be 10 percent or more of the house space.
Although shadows occur within north-south oriented ridge
and furrow houses, the shadows move acrossthe floor of
the house as the day progresses and noticeable reduction in
g r o w t h i n o n e r e g i o n o f t h e g r e e n h o u s ei s n o t n o r m a l l y
apparent.
Environmental Equipment
V e n t i l a t i o n , c o o l i n g a n d h e a t i n g s y s t e m sa r e n o t i c e -
ably affected by the way the greenhouseis oriented and the
e q u i p m e n ti n s t a l l e d .
Ventilation: Ventilation air should not have to move
more than 12O to 150 feet across the house between
e n t r a n c e ' a n de x i t . D e s i g na n d i n s t a l lf a n v e n t i l a t i o ns y s t e m s
so that air moves with lin the direction of ) prevailingsum-
m e r w i n d s r a t h e r t h a n a g a i n s tt h e m . T h i s p r o c e d u r ew i l l
e l i m i n a t e o p p o s i n g a i r f o r c e s w h i c h d e c r e a s et h e a i r f l o w
rate by 10 percent or more. Usually,you should install
e x h a u s tf a n s i n t h e l e - , w a r de n d o f t h e g r e e n h o u s e andfresh
a i r i n l e t s h u t t e r si n t h e w i n d w a r d e n d . H o w e v e r ,s o m e t i m e s
a s i d e w a l l f a n l o c a t i o n i n t h e l e e w a r ds i d e a n d f r e s h a i r
i n l e t so n e a c he n d a r e b e s tf o r c e r t a i nh o u s e s .
Cooling System: When pad coolinq is used. locate
p a d s o n t h e n o r t h r a r a l(le n d o r s i d e )o f t h e g r e e n h o u s e ( st o)
p r e v e n t s h a d i n g .F o r b e s t c o o l i n g e t f e c t i v e n e s sa,i r s h o u l d
 4EN-32

not travelover 100 feet betweenpadsand the exhaustfans. Expansion

F o r l o n gh o u s e so, v e r1 0 0f e e t i n l e n g t hl,o c a t et h e b a n ko f
pads in a sidewallat the centerof the housewith fans in W h e n b u i l d i n g ,a l w a y s k e e p f u t u r e e x p a n s i o ni n
e a c he n d . ( N O T E :A w a t e rs u p p l yo f a p p r o x i m a t e l1yt o 2 mind. Most successfulrangesare expandedseveraltimes
gallonsper minute per 100 squarefeet of padsis generally afterthe first houseor smallrangeareais constructed.
required.Also. 100 squarefeet of pad areasper 1,200 to
1,500squarefeet of greenhouse floor areais typical.Obtain N
more detailed information on pad coolingbeforemakinga
decisionto purchase.) wtND BREAKS -
{
i- I
I
Heating System: The greenhouseheating system
should provide adequateheat supply and distribution #m %"
throughoutthe housefor environmental uniformity. Con-
sistent heat supply is especiallyimportant toward the
northwestportion of glasshousesor those with sizeable
&ffiry
w!' g. I (I
CARETAKER S I
HOUSE- -,------+ I ..- jrnuc*
and infiltration.
cold air leakage ,J ACC€SS a

-
-| - - L - - r - l - - i - o p r t o N A L
SEPARATE
, 1 S T O R A GAE/ O R

SITE LAYOUT t-Ti

L.

-1
ol I
el: i
Gradeand Fill Pt= I
!l: I
Prior to erectingthe greenhouse, gradeand fill those J--.i
areaswhere changes are needed to levelthe site,establish
drainage, roads, parking, etc. lf you plan to practicesoil
culture.rememberthat poor existingsoil must be removed Figure 2. Typical greenhouse range layout on a level but well
and replacedby 12 inchesor more of good topsoil.Grade drained, southerly oxposed site.
and fill the sub-soilmaterialto requirements, then replace
the top soil without compaction.Any subsurface tiling or SUMMARY
utility linescan be placedduringtheseoperations.
lmportantpointsto rememberare:
o O r i e n ta n d l o c a t et h e h o u s ef o r m a x i m u ms u n -
Transportationand Parking , e r i d g es h o u l dr u n
l i g h t .I n s o u t h e r nl a t i t u d e st h
north-south. andin northernlatitudes, east-west.
When selectingthe site,try to locateneara good road o Avoid placingthe housenearobiectseast,west,
so that materialscan be convenientlymovedto and from
or southwhich will shadethe house.
the greenhouse. Sufficient room for turning and parking
vehiclesis desirablefor greenhouses of commercialsize, o Placein an areashelteredfrom northerlyand
especiallywhen bedding plantsand flowers are soldon the n o r t h - w e s t e rhl yi g hw i n d si f p o s s i b l e .
premises.Allow 18 feet for head-inparking spacesand
o Locate on a deep good soil which is well
26-30 feet clearancefor back-outand turning. Make any
drainedand where surfacewater doesnot run
curvesor turnswith 18-20foot insideradius.
into the house.
o Avoid slopingbedsor floors in the greenhouse.
Locate the greenhousenear adequateand
Headhouses
r e l i a b l es o u r c e so f u t i l i t i e s - e l e c t r i c i t yw, a t e r
and gas.
Place headhouseson the north side of the greenhouse
to avoid shading a portion of the house.Attachment to the r Providegood accessroads,parking,and turn-
greenhouseor a connecting passagewaymakes work, hand- aroundarea.
ling. and greenhouse operations more convenient but
o or supportingfacilitieson
Positionheadhouses
complicates construction techniques to attach without
the north side.
l e a k sa n d o t h e r m a i n t e n a n c ep r o b l e m s .P r o c e s s i nfga c i l i t i e s ,
cold storage rooms, and other such facilities should be o Arrangeinitial constructionso that the range
adequately incorporated into the ultimate layout. can be expanded.

providc reseirrch, trltrcltiotrirl inforrrrltiotr and

The College of Agricultrue is an Equal OpportuDit)' Orgrurization lrrthorizt'd to
sex or nirtion{l ()rigin.
other sctvices orrly to indivicluirls nDd institutions thilt functi(nt $'ithout regirrd to racc, color'

l s s u e 1d 1 7 4 ' 8 M