Growing Zones
Five zones, three microclimates, one shared air volume. Each zone has distinct temperature, humidity, and light characteristics driven by wall orientation, proximity to the house, tree shade, and equipment placement.
Zone Map
| Zone | Current Role | Character | Peak Temp | Crop-Control Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South | Active Control | The furnace: hottest at noon | 100°F+ | 1 active-control crop: canna |
| East | Active Control | The cool corridor: hydro system | ~91°F | 3 active-control crops: lettuce, pepper, strawberry |
| West | Observed/Reference | The longest wall: versatile | Mid-range | No active-control crop; candidate shelf crops only |
| North | Equipment Only | Shared with house: thermal buffer | 93°F (2 PM) | No planting; equipment only |
| Center | Active / Derived Sensor | Fog machine location, mixing zone, hanging orchids | — | 1 active-control crop: Vanda orchids |
Active-control crop count source: active crop records and zone target functions. Center has no dedicated probe, but the Vanda record participates in crop/VPD policy and center wetting is controlled by generic direct-wet gates.
The Three Microclimates
At any given moment, there can be a sharp difference between the hottest and coolest zones. This stratification is an asset — it lets us match crops to their preferred conditions.
South (Hot + Dry): Peak solar gain at the tapered south end. The exhaust path terminates here, with fans mounted high on the southwest and southeast angled faces. Concrete slab retains heat overnight. VPD runs highest. Reserved for heat-lovers.
East (Cool + Humid): Tree shade blocks morning solar. Patio door provides cross-ventilation. Hydroponic evaporation adds local humidity. The most comfortable zone for plants.
West (Moderate + Versatile): Longest wall, best grow light coverage, afternoon sun exposure. Neither the hottest nor coolest — handles the widest range of crops.
Airflow Path
24"×24" mechanical vent plus passive exchange through the house door.
Patio door becomes the dominant summer intake when the glass insert is removed.
Fog machine and center misters condition air as it moves through the room.
Two high-mounted exhaust fans pull up to 4,900 CFM through the angled south faces.
At full fan speed, the nameplate air-exchange math is fast; Physical Structure owns the exact airflow calculation. In summer, the patio door is the dominant intake, creating an asymmetric east/northeast-to-south airflow path.
Zone Sensor Coverage
| Zone | Probe | Address | Additional Sensors |
|---|---|---|---|
| South | Tzone RS485 SHT3X | Modbus 4 | Soil (SEN0601: moisture, temp, EC) |
| East | Tzone RS485 SHT3X | Modbus 5 | YINMIK hydro (pH, EC, TDS, ORP, water temp), Soil (SEN0600: moisture, temp) |
| West | Tzone RS485 SHT3X | Modbus 3 | Soil (SEN0600: moisture, temp) |
| North | Tzone RS485 SHT3X | Modbus 2 | CO₂ (analog), Lux (LDR) |
| Center | None (calculated avg) | — | — |
| Outdoor | Tempest + intake (OFFLINE) | — | 20 weather metrics |
See High-Altitude Climate Control for the full thermal analysis and Physical Structure for dimensions and wall specs.