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Protected Plant Production

Course CodeBHT223
Fee CodeS2
Duration (approx)100 hours
QualificationStatement of Attainment



Lesson Structure

There are 7 lessons in this course:

  1. Structures for Protected Cropping
  2. Environmental Control
  3. Cladding Materials and their Properties
  4. Irrigation and Nutrition
  5. Relationship between Production techniques and Horticultural practices
  6. Harvest and Post Harvest Technology
  7. Risk Assessment



  • Describe and Evaluate the type and shape of modern growing structures
  • Describe and evaluate environmental controls in protected cropping
  • Explain the nature of solar radiation, transmission properties of glass and its substitutes
  • Determine the water requirements of a crop; and methods of irrigation.
  • Relate horticultural principles to the production and harvesting of a range of crops.
  • Evaluate the factors involved in marketing protected crops
  • Evaluate the factors involved in marketing protected crops
  • Undertake risk assessment.

What You Will Do

  • Identify the main types of growing structure
  • Relate use of structures to shape and type of construction
  • Identify the range of environmental factors controlled within a growing structure
  • Describe the use of the equipment used to measure and monitor these factors
  • Name and describe a range of types of environmental controls
  • Evaluate the use of IT facilities for environmental control
  • Describe the meaning of daylight and explain the role of sunlight and diffused light
  • Relate time of year to the quantity and quality of available light
  • Evaluate how the shape and orientation of a structure will affect light transmission
  • Assess the effectiveness of glass and cladding alternatives for light transmission
  • Describe the durability and insulation properties of glass and alternative materials
  • Select and describe appropriate systems of irrigation for plants grown in situ
  • Select and describe appropriate systems of irrigation for container grown plants
  • Specify and evaluate systems for incorporating plant nutrients into the irrigation water
  • Explain the effects of environmental control on a range of plants
  • Relate the essential features necessary for successful plant establishment and development to their underlying scientific principles.
  • Describe the production of a range of crops
  • State the optimum stage of growth for harvesting a range of crops
  • Describe the harvesting systems for protected crops
  • Explain how shelf life can be affected by pre and post harvesting treatment of the crop
  • State the factors to be considered when marketing crops
  • Evaluate alternative marketing outlets
  • Relate packaging & presentation to marketing
  • Assess benefits to the grower and customer, of grading a crop before marketing
  • Determine elements of risk in the practical operations associated with protected plant production.
  • Identify safe working practices

Protected Growing is Used for both Crops and Ornamentals

All manner of structures can be used to either keep plants from getting too hot, or too cold; and in doing so, allow them to start growing earlier or later in a season. Protecting plants with greenhouses, shade houses, cloches or cold frames, is a well established horticultural practice. Learning about these structures, and how to use them appropriately, is what this course is all about.
Cloches may be provide adequate protection for starting some seeds or easily grown cuttings. They are also used to cover crops over winter or early spring, before the weather warms up. 
Cuttings might be directly planted in the ground, or in a pot, then covered with the cloche.
Cloches are small plastic or glass covers (perhaps only 30cm tall) which can be placed over plants particularly when they are young and susceptible to frosts, then removed later in the season as the plants begin to establish and the danger of frost goes. 
Cuttings or seed of most plants can be started in a cold frame, however, the speed with which they form roots, and the % success rate will vary.
The frame is a simple structure, with fixed sides (eg. wood, brick, fibreglass) and a hinged top to let the light through (eg. glass, fibreglass or plastic). The cold frame can be any size, up to about a metre high. The top is at an angle (so water can run off, and the sun enters at nearly right angle) and can be opened and closed for access and to allow air in, depending on the weather.
Opening and closing the lid controls the temperature and humidity. The advantage over a glasshouse is that you get more space for fewer materials. They can be moved around to find the best spot, or changed from a sunny position to shade depending on the season. They can be designed so that new frames can be attached to previously built frames. The disadvantages are that you are working at ground height and not at a bench, and because of the smaller internal volume, the frame can heat up and cool down faster, and so it needs to be watched more closely. The angle of the top faces nearly at right angles to the sun, in an easterly or northerly direction. The back wall faces west or south.
There are many different types of greenhouses, some are large and others small, some are inexpensive and others expensive. Each type has its own characteristics, and to achieve the very best results, you might choose one type over the others, because it better suits the plants you want to propagate.
Short Wall Greenhouses 
These have transparent material over the roof and only part of the sides. (Part of the walls are covered with non transparent material such as timber or brick). As such, the lower walls can be more insulated against cold or heat.
Long Wall Greenhouses
In these, the transparent material covers all of the walls and all of the roof, allowing greater penetration of light.
Tunnel Greenhouses
These have a framework made from half circle metal hoops arranged in a row to form a tunnel shape. Transparent material is laid over this framework ( PVC film or more solid plastics are most commonly used). They are an inexpensive construction, and may not last for a hundred years, but for most plants, they do the job. Usually ventilation (and cooling) is achieved by opening both ends. Long tunnel houses can be more difficult to cool down on a hot day than greenhouses that have vents along the long walls as well as at the ends.
Lean To Greenhouses
This is a structure attached to the side of another building (eg a house). The "other" building provides one side wall for the greenhouse, providing insulation and reducing the materials needed to build the structure.
These are usually a simple timber or metal framework above plants; covered with either shade
cloth or some other material (eg. branches, timber slats). Providing shade like this will keep an area from rexperiencing the extreme heat or cold (both) in an open situation. It can also reduce exposure to wind, damaging rain and hail, snow, and intense light. Some plants (eg. shade loving ferns and orchids), may be best grown in a shade house permenantly; while other plants are only kept for a period inder shade, while young and tender. 

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