How To Get the Airflow Right in Leafy Greens Production

In protected leafy greens production, airflow plays a critical role in plant health, uniform growth, and the prevention of disorders like tip burn. As operations scale and systems become more complex, understanding and managing air circulation is increasingly important for consistent crop performance.

Circulation Fans Lead the Way

In most protected leafy greens environments, growers rely on horizontal or vertical circulation fans to keep air moving evenly throughout the growing space. Horizontal airflow systems remain the most common, while vertical circulation fans are gaining attention for their effectiveness in reducing tip burn in lettuce.

As a general guideline, growers are encouraged to install circulation fans capable of delivering at least3 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per square foot of floor area, arranged to create continuous “raceways” of airflow with minimal energy use.

Identifying and Correcting Airflow Gaps

One of the most common airflow challenges is a lack of awareness about how air is actually moving within the growing area. Uneven airflow can lead to microclimates that affect crop uniformity and increase the risk of physiological disorders.

Simple tools, such as small puffs of smoke from a bee smoker, can help visualize airflow patterns and identify stagnant zones. Once problem areas are located, growers can often correct them by adjusting fan direction or adding additional circulation of fans.

Fine-Tuning Systems as Operations Grow

For growers expanding their protected production systems or refining existing setups, gradual implementation is key. Testing new airflow strategies in a limited area allows growers to evaluate performance and adjust before committing to large-scale changes. This incremental approach helps avoid costly missteps and ensures airflow solutions perform as intended under real production conditions.