Soil heating in a greenhouse: 5 types and how to organize a system with your own hands

Gardeners and summer residents who want to harvest early plant seedlings in a greenhouse. In closed ground conditions, crops are not afraid of temperature changes, prolonged rains and return frosts. However, many do not take into account that, in addition to warming up the air, it is necessary to organize soil heating in the greenhouse. The soil temperature directly affects the growth rate of plants, the number of formed fruits and immunity to diseases.

Why do we need heating in a greenhouse

Heating the soil and purging greenhouses with warm air is more often done by farmers who grow vegetables throughout all seasons for subsequent sale.However, summer residents who cultivate plants only in spring and summer will also benefit from such a procedure, especially if the site is located in regions with a cold climate.

The advantages of warming up the soil in a greenhouse include the following points:

• you can sow seeds and plant seedlings at any time, in this case, you will be able to harvest by the time the prices for vegetables are at their highest;
• heat loss through the soil is eliminated, and a beneficial microclimate for plants is maintained in the greenhouse;
• due to the heated earth, the root system of crops develops faster, which also affects the ground part;
• from a square meter of sown area it turns out to harvest more crops than without heating the soil;
• comfortable temperature prevents the death of plants as a result of adverse weather conditions and return frosts;
• the fruiting period of crops is increasing.

Another reason why you should start heating the soil in a greenhouse is that the air naturally warms up by 15 degrees, and the earth only by 3 degrees. Such a temperature difference is a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogens of fungal diseases, which not only lead to a decrease in yield, but also cause the complete death of plants.

There are many ways to protect the soil from excessive cooling. Some gardeners purchase special industrial heating systems, while others build them with their own hands. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages.

Existing species

Before you choose the right soil heating system for your greenhouse, you should understand their principle of operation, as well as the pros and cons. There are three ways to heat the ground indoors - natural, technical and biological.

Solar radiation based on the "greenhouse effect"

Sunlight heating has one significant advantage - it is a free and natural source of energy. This method of heating the soil in a greenhouse is compared with the greenhouse effect, its principle of operation is as follows:

• ultraviolet rays penetrate the room through glass or plastic film, which is stretched over the frame of the greenhouse;
• ultraviolet transfers its thermal energy to the greenhouse structure, plants and other objects from which the soil begins to warm up.
• from the earth and objects the air is heated in a greenhouse or greenhouse.

To obtain the desired effect, it is necessary to position the structure so that it is not blocked by trees and buildings from all sides. Despite these advantages of the method of heating from sunlight, it also has disadvantages:

• in spring and autumn days, the number of sunny days is small, and in rainy weather the soil does not warm up;
• The rise in ground temperature is very slow, so seeds or seedlings can be planted 2 weeks after the weather sets in;
• it is necessary to choose a place for the greenhouse where the shadow will not fall on it, which is difficult to do in a small area.

Biochemical reactions during decomposition

Heating the soil indoors is carried out in the same way, using the process of biological reactions that occur as a result of the decomposition of manure. Horse manure has the highest heat transfer, followed by pig and cow manure. To increase the effect of using biological material, it is mixed with straw, dry leaves or sawdust in a percentage ratio of 1:1.

Arrange heating in early spring, according to the following algorithm:

1. For a week, for planting seedlings, manure mixed with straw is scattered around the greenhouse in small piles.
2. After 3 days, when a fog with the smell of ammonia appears above them, they dig a large rectangular hole, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich should correspond to the size of the greenhouse.
3. Biological material is placed in it, a thin layer of lime is poured on top to deoxidize the soil, and they wait 2-3 days for the mass to settle.
4. A layer of fertile soil is laid on top.

Heating water and air while burning fuel

Solid fuel boilers are used to heat greenhouses and hotbeds, in this case water is the coolant. It is necessary to install a boiler, install pipes throughout the room and supply water.This method has one significant drawback - the high cost of purchasing coal and the low efficiency of the heater.

Geothermal waters

Such heating is used in industrial greenhouses, as its arrangement will require significant financial costs. First, wells are drilled into which vertical collectors are installed. Thanks to them, the low-potential energy of the soil is converted into high-potential heat.

Electrical energy

Electric greenhouse bed heating system has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its efficiency. Carry out work according to the following algorithm:

1. They remove a 30-40 cm layer of soil in the structure.
2. The entire surface is covered with heat-insulating material.
3. Followed by a layer of sifted sand 5 cm.
4. Slightly slapping and pouring water, ram the sand pillow.
5. Lay a metal mesh that will protect the cable from damage by rodents.
6. The heating cable is laid out on the grid with a “snake” pattern and fastened with clamps.
7. The same sand cushion is created on top, ramming it.
8. Another layer of metal mesh is laid out on top.
9. The fertile soil in which the plants will be planted is covered with a layer of at least 30 cm.

The advantage of this system is that the heating of the soil can be adjusted at will, focusing on weather conditions, and grow vegetables in the greenhouse throughout the year.

Heating the earth with your own hands

To make a heating system in a greenhouse with your own hands, it is not necessary to use an electric cable.If the structure is located near the house where the gardener lives, you can build a stove and start heating when weather conditions require it. It is recommended to place the stove in the end part of the greenhouse so that it is convenient to heat it. A chimney is laid horizontally around the perimeter of the room.

If the farmer decides to heat the greenhouse with a stove, it is necessary to make a supply of coal or firewood, as the latter often use cut dry branches. Such a heating structure can be improved by installing a water boiler on top and passing metal pipes to the water tank.

The easiest way to warm the ground is to install several infrared heaters around the perimeter of the room.

Possible problems

Beginner gardeners face some challenges when heating the ground in a greenhouse. This is due to the lack of experience in installing complex systems, in which case it is recommended to entrust the work to specialists.

Recommended