Understanding Greenhouse’s Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD)

Vapor Pressure Deficit is a weird metric that could be used to help make a better environment for your plants in a greenhouse. It’s basically the amount of water the air in your greenhouse can hold, it depends on the inside temperature and the humidity.

Think of it as the “thirst” of the air around your plants. When VPD is too high, your plants lose water faster than they can absorb it, leading to stress and stunted growth. When it’s too low, plants can’t transpire properly, which hampers nutrient uptake and can invite fungal problems.

What Your Soil’s Clumps Can Tell You: The Slake Test

Ever wondered if your garden soil is actually healthy, or just looks good on the surface? While most gardeners focus on pH and nutrients, there’s a simple test that reveals something more fundamental about your soil’s structure. It’s called the slake test, and it measures how well your soil holds together when hit with water—a critical factor affecting drainage and root growth.