|
Post by wolfmom on Apr 11, 2015 13:34:38 GMT
Try to find a copy of The Solar Greenhouse Book by James C. McCullagh - without a doubt the best book on solar greenhouse building and growing. It has all the in-depth technical stuff about glazing, design, construction, placement (including sun path diagrams) to growing plants inside a greenhouse you need to make an informed comparison in non-technical terms.
It was put out by Rodale press. The only issue would be that it was printed in 1978 so it may not have the newer materials you are asking about. It would answer your questions on the amount of light needed though.
|
|
|
Post by wolfmom on Apr 11, 2015 18:09:12 GMT
I have read that book. The softlight lets the minimum amount of light through, but is minimum enough this far north? Does it make a difference? Would the diffusion only really matter in the summer, when it won't really be getting used? That's the stuff I can't get answers to. I'm thinking of going with regular just because people have been using it successfully for quite a while now. For the time and money you're thinking of putting into this project, why are you considering something that only lets in the MINIMUM amount of light?? My way of looking at it is that you can reduce the amount of sunlight with regular glazing/or... but can't increase the amount of sunlight with softlight. BTW: You can always clean your greenhouse, close it up, then use it as a dehydrator in the summer.
|
|
|
Post by wolfmom on Apr 12, 2015 12:12:10 GMT
For the time and money you're thinking of putting into this project, why are you considering something that only lets in the MINIMUM amount of light?? My way of looking at it is that you can reduce the amount of sunlight with regular glazing/or... but can't increase the amount of sunlight with softlight. BTW: You can always clean your greenhouse, close it up, then use it as a dehydrator in the summer. Because I don't know if diffusion is as important as lots of light. Is it better to have a bit less light that reaches plants better with less shadow and glare/burning or more light that casts more shadow? www.greenhousegrower.com/structures-equipment/equipment/diffuse-lighting-offers-multiple-benefits/thanks for asking this question as I've learned something new. After googling diffused light vs natural light when growing plants and reading some articles, the jist of it all is that diffused light is better (not a super high percentage tho) and after November it doesn't matter.. Considering where you live, and for me, to hedge my bets, I'd still rather go with more light, as one article said, you can always whitewash the poly. You can never guess the weather from year to year and I like to have options. Just my personal opinion....I think that the wording of "minimum amount of light" scares me.
|
|
|
Post by wolfmom on Apr 14, 2015 0:18:21 GMT
Sounds good to me....post a picture when it's built
|
|