The insulating properties of land have long been used in agriculture for various needs. As an example, one can cite the silo technique, which allows creating conditions for conservation of the plant forage base in trenches and pits. Gardeners set somewhat different tasks for in-depth pits. Instead of traditional greenhouse constructions, they propose organizing artificial conditions for growing directly in the soil niche. In other words, an underground greenhouse is formed, which on top has a protective frame made of the same materials as conventional structures.
General construction technology
The need for arranging underground greenhouses is determined by the desire of farmers to provide optimal conditions for the development of plants. This technology is notable for its simplicity and financial availability - in a large farm there may not be a need to purchase materials at all, since the frame can be built from ordinary boards, and film can be used as a coating. The output should be a greenhouse-thermos, the design of which is aimed at ensuring the optimal microclimate. For this reason, such structures are used in cold regions, where the installation of a classic greenhouse requires the use of reinforced heat-insulating materials. In this case, they are replaced by walls of earth.
Despite the in-depth basis, the upper part will still be carried out according to the general rules for the installation of greenhouses. The owner will also face the question of choosing the best shelter option. Which greenhouse is better - made of polycarbonate, film or glass? The first method manifests itself better in full-fledged designs of a traditional look, film, as already noted, is the most affordable option, and glass can become an intermediate version, suitable for objects with increased requirements for thermal insulation.
Preparing the base for the greenhouse
Depending on the scale of the planned greenhouse economy , the size of the recess is determined. The standard parameters of such structures are 1.5 x 2.5 m. In this case, the depth can reach 1 m. It is important to take into account the location of the object on the site. The greenhouse should be located on the south side, and excavated soil should be left in the northern part of the structure. At the corners, pits are formed for future load-bearing racks. Depending on the size of the underground greenhouse year-round, the method of organizing the basis for the frame and, accordingly, the parameters of the pits will be determined. After arranging the niches under the pillars, they should be lightly covered with gravel or gravel, and then pour water. Bearing elements are installed according to the type of conventional foundation, that is, using cement mortar. When the mixture completes the polymerization, you can proceed to the construction of the frame.
Mounting the frame base
Around the perimeter of the recess in order to strengthen the structure, the foundation can also be poured or blocks laid out. In both cases, these elements will serve as the basis for the further construction of walls and roofs. Depending on the scale and requirements for the microclimate, the underground greenhouse can be made of different materials. The most affordable option is the use of boards, the fastening of which is carried out on metal trusses using self-tapping screws. That is, a double skeleton of the frame is formed, on which further sheathing materials will lie.
The second option provides for a more serious approach to the arrangement of the structure - laying of thermal blocks. In terms of thermal insulation function, this is the best solution. Properly arranged walls of this material can even eliminate the need for additional insulation. With the help of blocks, a thermos greenhouse is formed, the design of which itself acts as a regulator of microclimate indicators favorable for vegetation.
Coating device
In the case of using film material, it is enough to prepare segments that will act as a covering base for the structure. The joints are usually fixed with special loops or, even better, are initially sewn with a building iron. If an underground glass greenhouse is planned , then special profiles should be purchased in which individual sheets will be fixed. In terms of the effectiveness of insulation, this option, in combination with thermal blocks, will make it possible to equip the most favorable design in terms of climatic parameters.
Polycarbonate for conventional farm projects is considered the best solution. It is similar in characteristics to glass, but in terms of strength it can compete even with an aluminum profile. However, the question of which greenhouse is better - glass or polycarbonate is not so obvious. First, carbonate is more expensive than glass. Secondly, it is in underground greenhouses that its strength characteristics are not so important, so glass can also be its alternative.
Engineering equipment
Additional improvement with insulation materials is usually used in cases where a combination of plank walls and film coating is used. The buried greenhouse is thermally insulated with the help of mounting foam and film heaters. Synthetic materials are not recommended.
Also in addition, it is necessary to equip the lighting system. Conventional fixtures should not be used. For greenhouses, manufacturers produce special LED lamps, which provide the most favorable color range for plants. In cold regions, it will be useful to provide for a warm floor system. With its help, heated greenhouses are arranged , suitable for heat-loving plants.
Benefits of Underground Structures
The general principle of arranging a greenhouse involves the use of essentially a free resource in the form of land. The walls of the soil layers act as a natural regulator of the microclimate and a protective barrier to external influences. Therefore, in winter, you don’t have to worry about additional protection of the structure from wind, precipitation and frost. Especially valuable in this regard are heated greenhouses, which combine the advantages of an in-depth construction arrangement and an auxiliary heating function, which makes it possible to operate an agricultural facility year-round. Of course, the list of crops suitable for planting under the created conditions is expanding.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, the construction of such structures does not completely relieve the owner of the hassle of developing at least a general schematic design solution. In advance, it is worth calculating the exact set of materials from which the underground greenhouse will be built in the upper part. The fact is that the configuration of the main frame will be determined by the foundation, therefore, adjustments in the process of work will not work. The most crucial stage is the creation of a shelter. It can be performed with the help of film, and with the use of glass. Many also use high-tech polycarbonate, which is durable and has high light transmission.