How To Perfect Climate Control in Your Grow Room

Water, nutrients, sunlight, and fighting pests...are we forgetting something? Oh right, climate control! Your plants can’t thrive or even survive if the temperatures rise or fall too high, too low, too fast, or too slow. How do you keep your grow cozy and comfortable, and what can you do in case of a climate crisis? Here are a few observations and tips on how to perfect climate control in your grow room.

Keep Cool (or Hot)

The easiest way to control temperatures is to adjust your home’s HVAC system. Maintain a steady room temperature overall. Naturally, the grow lights and any insulation in the walls or ceiling can raise the temperatures to summertime degrees. Adjust accordingly, otherwise, you may find your plants beginning to brown. An AC window unit can raise or lower the temperature in a grow tent, of course, but you should set a timer or preset temperature level to shut off the unit so the room doesn’t become too chilly or to reduce humidity. Just keep the temperature consistent, and periodically clean the unit’s filter of lint and other things that can cause blockage.

Up in the Air

Air circulation is good for your grow in so many ways, keeping oxygen and carbon dioxide moving and your plants healthy. Air movement also keeps the climate consistent. Set up floor fans to ensure those molecules are making a full circuit of the room, bringing CO2 (which is heavier than oxygen) up from the floor to the plants’ level while keeping things cooler. Flowing air also keeps the dust and pests off your garden as well. Some sites also recommend setting up fans and grow lights side by side, so they work together rather than compete with one another.

Pick Up a Climate Control Monitor (or Two, or More)

When determining if your grow room’s climate is at optimum levels, don’t go with your gut. Keep a scientific eye on your plants and keep them at consistent CO2, temperature, water, humidity, nutrient, and light levels with hydroponic climate control systems. Control systems can monitor and maintain your fans, temperature, hygrometer, lighting, and nutrient delivery systems at proper measures when you're not around and report on levels when you are.

Supplements and Additives

When considering how to perfect climate control in your grow room, don’t forget to consider the plants themselves. Some experts suggest using certain supplements to make plants heartier and more resistant to heat stress. Seaweed-based supplements have been shown to increase resistance to heat while encouraging growth and yield. Silica supplements can fight stress from heat and cold as well. Protect the top parts of your plants, but don’t forget to protect the roots too by keeping them watered and laying down some protective mulch. Finally, if your plants aren’t getting enough carbon monoxide, add some, whether through tanks or CO2 bags.