NO.1 Greenhouse site selection.
Greenhouse construction should be selected in areas with good lighting conditions, flat terrain, good engineering geological conditions, and low groundwater levels, avoiding areas prone to natural disasters such as floods, mudslides, and wind vents. The greenhouse construction site should have water and power sources that meet the needs of production and life. It is preferred to choose sites with geothermal, industrial waste heat and other resources, and choose places with good drainage to remove excess rainwater in time. If the site is uneven, it needs to be leveled. At the same time, avoid tall buildings, trees and other obstructions. If it is impossible to avoid them, sufficient space must be left to ensure the lighting of the greenhouse. In addition, a place with convenient transportation should be selected.
NO.2 Greenhouse orientation
The greenhouse orientation should be selected in the north-south direction, because light is the most important condition in the growth process of plants. The layout of the north-south direction can make the lighting of each position in the greenhouse more uniform, so that the crop cultivation area can get sufficient light. If the actual conditions on site cannot meet the north-south orientation, it is necessary to give priority to places that can be exposed to the sun from morning to noon, because the morning sun is milder and can promote plant growth.
NO.3 Determination of greenhouse height
The height of greenhouse construction is measured by the height of the gutter. The height of the gutter refers to the height from the ground to the gutter. Generally speaking, a higher height of the greenhouse can provide a good growth environment for crops in the greenhouse and a comfortable working environment for workers. Because the higher the height of the gutter, the greater the amount of air contained in the greenhouse, the easier it is to control the environment in the greenhouse, and the more convenient the automated operation in the production process, the more flexible the choice of production methods. The determination of the height of the greenhouse should take into account the height of the crop and the planting method (hanging cultivation, ground planting). The height of the greenhouse is 2 to 3 meters higher than the top of the plant to ensure the upper air circulation and avoid the adverse effects of the crop due to the high temperature of the upper air. At the same time, the space requirements for the operation of mechanized equipment in the greenhouse should also be considered, such as the height of the picking car to the highest point.
NO.4 Consider the smoothness of the transportation route during the production and packaging process
It must be considered as a whole to ensure the continuity of each stage, and it cannot be designed in a one-sided or localized manner. For example, the transportation route of the production line must be planned in advance to ensure smooth transportation from picking to the sorting line, packaging workshop, and then to the warehouse.
NO.5 Consider the cost-output ratio.
During the greenhouse design stage, it is important to consider whether the input cost is proportional to the output benefit. Although semi-enclosed greenhouses have gradually developed in recent years, we should not blindly pursue new technologies. According to Dutch experts, there is no significant difference in the final yield of tomatoes grown in traditional venlo greenhouses and semi-enclosed greenhouses. However, semi-enclosed greenhouses require higher investment than traditional venlo greenhouses and consume more energy during operation. Therefore, the traditional venlo greenhouse is still more practical and popular in the Netherlands.
