Greenhouse operators and growers should inspect greenhouses to mitigate heat loss during winter months and sub-zero temperatures and protect plants from chilling injury or freezing damage.
by Roberto G. Lopez rglopez@msu.edu & W. Garrett Owen wgowen@msu.edu
Recently, the Great Polar Vortex of 2019 brought extreme sub-zero temperatures to the mid-western and eastern United States. Extreme temperatures ranging from -2 °F were recorded in Washington DC to -51 °F in Cotton, MN.
Figure 1. Example of insulating greenhouse end walls or unused exhaust fans with insulation boards. Photo credit: Roberto Lopez
During the winter, including sub-zero temperatures, most greenhouse operators strive to maintain temperatures set points between 60 to 72 °F to ensure crop growth and development. In order to not to delay crops and mitigate heat loss and prevent potential chilling injury or freezing damage to crops, operators and growers should consider the following tips and techniques we have put together.