West Zone
The longest wall. Six shelf bays, 15 overhead 4FT grow lights on the rafters, and 15 shelf-level 2FT grow lights. The most versatile zone — not as hot as south, not as cool as east. Currently home to “random pots, contents unknown” that need an inventory.
Climate Profile
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Mid-range, hot late afternoon | Setting sun hits this wall directly |
| VPD | Mid-range | Between south (driest) and east (most humid) |
| Light | Strong natural + 30 grow lights | Best artificial light coverage |
| Afternoon peak | Takes over as hottest zone late PM | West-facing surfaces absorb afternoon sun |
The Southwest Corner
The small angled southwest wall (~5-6 ft) has the best light transmission angle at 23.5% — the most perpendicular incidence of any surface. Two shelf bays here get the most efficient natural light delivery.
Physical Layout
| Position | Contents | Grow Lights |
|---|---|---|
| WEST-SHELF-T1 through T6 | 6 shelf bays, top tier | 15× Barrina 2FT (grow circuit, 12” OC) |
| WEST-SHELF-B1 through B6 | 6 shelf bays, bottom tier | 15× Barrina 2FT (same) |
| Rafters above | — | 15× Barrina 4FT (main circuit, 36” OC, CRI 98) |
Current contents: Unknown pots from previous growing season. The grower needs to do an inventory.
Wall Structure
At ~16-17 feet, the west wall is the longest continuous growing surface. Six shelf bays provide 12 total planting positions (6 top + 6 bottom). The overhead 4FT lights on the rafters are the highest-CRI fixtures in the greenhouse (CRI 98) and provide ambient supplemental light across the entire zone.
Water Systems
| System | Type | Control | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall drip (clean) | Scheduled, daily 6 AM × 10 min | pcf_out_1 pin 4 | Shared with south zone |
| Wall drip (fert) | On-demand | pcf_out_2 pin 0 + master | Same heads, fert path |
| West misters (clean) | VPD-triggered pulse | pcf_out_1 pin 0 | 0.13 kPa avg VPD drop |
| West misters (fert) | Manual | pcf_out_1 pin 1 | Available |
⚠️ Shared Drip Zone
Wall drip for south AND west is on one relay. Watering west waters south (and vice versa). Per-plant adjustment is via physical drip head volume restrictors only.
Mister Configuration
3 active heads (3 off — over storage below). 15 active nozzles. Overhead-mounted. VPD drop effectiveness: 0.13 kPa per pulse (second best after south’s 0.15).
Sensor Coverage
| Sensor | Address | Interval | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Modbus addr 3 (Tzone SHT3X) | 10s | ±0.3°C |
| Relative Humidity | Same probe | 10s | ±2% RH |
| VPD | Derived on ESP32 | 10s | Calculated |
| Soil moisture | Modbus addr 9 (DFRobot SEN0600) | 30s | %VWC |
| Soil temp | Same probe | 30s | °F |
Recommended Crops
| Crop | Why West Zone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Warm enough, excellent grow light coverage | Good year-round |
| Cucumbers | Moderate heat, strong light, wall for vining | Trellis against wall |
| Mixed herbs (parsley, oregano, thyme) | Versatile conditions | Group by water needs |
| Garden starts | Moderate conditions, good light | For spring outdoor transplant |
| Peppers | Viable — less heat than south but sufficient | Most varieties do fine here |
The west zone’s versatility makes it ideal for:
- Mixed herb production (parsley, oregano, thyme, chives) on upper shelves
- Garden starts for outdoor transplant (spring plan)
- Overflow from the east zone when hydro positions are full
→ See Grow Lighting for the fixture inventory. → See All Zones