How to Build Your Own Greenhouse

A person may have the pleasure of building his own greenhouse. He may choose
from various designs and sizes he would like to build. A greenhouse gives a
person comfort whenever he attends to his plants, vegetables, flowers, and
orchids. It also provides the needed sunlight and humidity for these plants. He
may relax and enjoy every time he visits a place where he has exerted all his
effort of building such a wondrous place.

He may save more money if he decides building a small greenhouse. There are
supplies and materials that he can use which should be just enough according to
his prepared budget. If there is enough space that can accommodate a larger
greenhouse, which is more advisable because he may maximize the place where he
wants to develop more plants and vegetables.

If he really desires to build a greenhouse where he can develop and propagate
more plants, he may consider different factors that would be necessary on the
type of greenhouses he would like to build. Here are some tips and factors he
would like to consider in building his own greenhouse.

1. He may consider using salvage materials if he intends to make a larger
greenhouse. He may use these materials in designing and planning for a low cost
budget greenhouse. This will also help him minimize the expenses of the other
supplies and materials needed.

2. He should also determine the climate of the place where he lives. An
insulated greenhouse should be appropriate for cold climate areas. This will
help him provide the needed warmth and heat for his plants. For warm places, a
greenhouse that has a shade control should be advisable.

3. He also needs to make sure that his greenhouse will be designed with proper
air circulation spaces, ventilation, pest control soil, heaters for winter
season, and humidity control devices. He may create an environment that would
be appropriate for the types of plants that will grow in the greenhouse.

4. The location of the greenhouse should be built were there is enough
sunlight. He may choose a solar greenhouse for vegetables and exotic fruit
bearing plants if he would like his greenhouse to be situated on the east-west
part where his place is more exposed to sunlight.

5. It is also important to consider the covering of the greenhouse. The most
advisable shades are the expensive glass made coverings and fiberglass. They
provide more durability and they do not deteriorate quickly compared to plastic
coverings. A greenhouse covered with glass or fiberglass allows more humidity
and warmth.

6. He has the option to choose on what kind of foundation he would like to use.
The foundations can be concrete for a more secured greenhouse. Others prefer the
less expensive lightweight foundation where they use improvised materials such
as railroad ties, which they can easily attach to the ground. It all depends on
how much he is willing to spend on the structure of the greenhouse.

7. He may consider building a greenhouse that will maximize its full potential.
He may add benches or materials that will be used for his comfort every time he
wants to relax in the greenhouse. He may add many accessories to the place like
automatic watering systems, heating systems, ventilation system and other
automatic equipments that are effective in maintaining the plants.

8. He may use the "good bugs" for his pest control chemical. They prevent and
control the spread of the bad bugs in a greenhouse. If ever he may find insects
in a plant, he may isolate the plant and if possible place the plant outside the
greenhouse so that the insects would not house the other plants.

9. He may allot a space where he can store fertilizers, potting soil and other
tools that are essential in the greenhouse. He may place a tool rack nearer to
the potting place so that it would be easier for him to transfer the soil from
the pot of the plants. He may also place buckets and tool holders to
accommodate the other equipment when they are not in use.

He can develop and grow all sorts of plants with a versatile greenhouse. He may
also propagate from the grown plants to fill the greenhouse with a variety of
plants. Putting up a greenhouse will be more enjoyable if it done with the help
of the family and friends.

Free Greenhouse Plan for You

A person may have the interest of constructing a greenhouse in his backyard
where he can enjoy tending to his plants. Most greenhouses constructed are
independently structured with their own watering and misting systems to
accommodate the needs of the plants. A greenhouse should be properly designed
and built so that a person may not encounter any problem concerning the
maintenance and supply materials that are used in the greenhouse.

A greenhouse should have a well-planned misting propagation system. This is
very essential in propagating and growing healthier plants and crops. The
system should have the ability to maintain the moisture and humidity of the air.

He may set automated misters in the greenhouse to maintain the high temperature
and humidity needed by the roots of the plants. He may avail this system with
timers and meters where he may set a constant time detector to indicate the
needed humidity inside the greenhouse.

He may also have a well-planned rain water system in the greenhouse. This is
essential in conserving water from automated watering systems that provides the
needed water from the pump or from the electricity. The greenhouse must have
properly placed gutters and downspouts to water the plants from natural
rainwater. He may supply the greenhouse from the collected water from this
systems, this is more accessible and environmentally friendly to the gardener.

The electricity in the greenhouse should also be planned according to the
needed warmth and lighting of the plants during cold climates. He may use grow
lights to increase the amount of spectrum present in the greenhouse. This is
very essential for the leaves of the plants.

He must also consider the climate that may affect the growth of the plants.
Winter season may have shorter days and there could be no sunlight available
during this season. The lighting should play a very big role to prevent the
plant from being shorter because of its less exposure to sunlight. It is
important to have a lighting supply on the plan.

There are many free greenhouse plans that a person may find in the Internet.
There are plans that will help him how to plan the greenhouse with supply
systems to have a full potential greenhouse. There are also sites that provide
instructional methods on how to propagate and learn the methods of hydroponics
gardening which is popular nowadays. There are also websites that provide free
greenhouse plans for constructing and building a freestanding or a lean-to
greenhouse.

For those people who have not yet started building their own greenhouses, here
are some free greenhouse plans that will help a person how to build a small
greenhouse.

1. He may use such materials such as a 15 to 20 squeeze clips, 1 roll duck
tape, 3 rolls heavy duty 3M clear tape, 6 mm clear plastic, 18 ratcheting tie
downs, 4 to 8 T posts, 10 x 20 Universal canopy, and the options of adding grow
lights and heaters. These materials may not cost him much for these supplies may
just be enough to build his small greenhouse.

2. He may need the services of two to three persons to set up the frame of the
greenhouse. He can insert the pieces to the frame to make the connection. He
must make sure that the connection points are properly wrapped with the Duck
Tape. The pipe will then be properly placed according to the position he would
like to place the greenhouse.

3. He may now connect the 18 tie-downs to connect to the upper part of the
frame. He may use four T posts to support the four corners of the structure. He
may place an extra T-post inside the frame and drill it at least 12" to the
ground.

4. He may now make two separate plastic coverings to have a full view on the
structure. He may cut the plastic that may fit the covering of the greenhouse.
He may cut the plastic with a measurement of 30 ft.

5. He may now use the ladder to cover the greenhouse then use the gravels to
down the plastic on the sides. He needs to make sure that the plastic covers
all the end caps to the ground.

This is a free greenhouse plan structural instruction may a gardener a little
help on how to build a small and cheap greenhouse that is within his budget.

Building An Easy And Cost-Effective Greenhouse On Your Back Yard

Thorough planning and preparation is essential before starting your greenhouse
project. Putting up a greenhouse need not be time-consuming or expensive. Your
greenhouse design will very much depend on your home's home architecture, space
and plants that you want to grow, cost and available location. Make sure that
your greenhouse should provide the environment suitable for your chosen type of
plants.

Location

Your greenhouse must be built in a site where it will get the full and
concentrated sunlight.

Your best option is the "southeast side" of your house or shade of trees. All
day sunlight is best, though also consider the morning sunlight coming from the
east side because this is adequate for most plants, as it permits the course
food production to start early so then progress is maximized.

The location on the east captures most of the November up to February sunshine.

Deciduous trees like oak and maple can shade the greenhouse effectively from
the strong late afternoon sun during the summer but they must not shade or
cover your greenhouse during the morning. These trees likewise permit maximum
sun exposure during the winter due to the shedding of their foliage during fall.

Your greenhouse must not be located beside trees having leaves all year as it
will block the winter sun. You must maximize greenhouse exposure to winter sun
especially if your greenhouse will be used year-round.

Another necessity for the location of your greenhouse is good drainage. When
needed, construct your greenhouse higher than the ground so as irrigation and
rainwater will easily drain away.

Light that is required by certain types of plants that you will grow, water,
electricity, heat and protection from strong wind are other factors that should
also be considered.

Also, you need to set up a workplace and an area for storage of your supplies
in your greenhouse.

Here is a simple and easy to construct greenhouse:

Materials:

5 pieces of 20 foot each "of 5/8 inch" rebar, cut into 1/3's -- 6 foot in
length.

7 pieces of 20 foot schedule" 40 PVC" drilled with a hole size 3/16 to 1/2" inch
"dead center" at 10 feet.

84 feet that is "cut into 4 foot lengths" of "1/2 schedule 40 PVC"

80 pieces size 2X4 wood (treated).

4 pieces fence posts, 8 foot in length (treated).

Size "40X24 fee" UV "polyethylene", stabilized

60 pieces 2 1/2 inches fence staples

1. Begin by extending a thin rope or string where the "two long sides" of your
greenhouse should be. Then pound the 6 foot rebar in, each with a distance of 4
feet away from each other, in a "straight line" and allowing 48 inches to
protrude from the soil or ground.

2. Nail the 2X6 runner on to the "rebar stakes". This will provide you with
something so as to nail on the polyethylene later. You may use a "60 2 1/2 inch
fence staples".

3. Slide in the PVC pieces (20 inch) over the "rebar stakes", making certain
that no sharp points are exposed, such as rebar, wire ends, rough pipes, etc.

4. Put the PVC pieces (20 foot) on the "rebar stakes". You need to have
somebody do "one side" as you also do the "other side" carefully and slightly
at each time. Make sure that you drilled holes "parallel to the ground".

5. Slide the wire all through the PVC holes and through the 8 PVC (4foot)
pieces "along the roof".

6. So as the "ribs" will not shift horizontally, you need to wire together the
4 foot PVC pipe lengths with either baling or copper wire. Make certain that
the wire is wrapped so that the PVC pipe is forced inward.

7. Construct now the "two end walls" and the doors. Use vertical posts (4X4) 10
foot length and buried 3 or 4 feet for the doorway frame. Make certain that the
end walls are not floppy and must stay vertically so that the PVC will not
separate. Your door must be very tight so that the wind will not be able to
inflate the greenhouse.

8. Drive some nails into the post's base horizontally of the posts and submerge
them to the ground.

9. With somebody's help, and each person on each side holding the plastic,
slide it over the rib cage and then attach the ends by wrapping the plastic's
end around lath pieces then "nail the lath" to the "end walls" and also along
the foundation.

10. Be creative and add a few of your personal touches.

All done! Have fun in your greenhouse!

How Does a Greenhouse Work: The Benefits that Can Be Derived From Its Operations

For people who are fond of plants, flowers, vegetations, and other ornamental
plants, having their own greenhouse may be a dream come true.

A greenhouse or conservatory is a type of structure where plants are developed
and grown. Usually, greenhouses are made of plastic or glass. This is to allow
the natural light coming from the outside environment to permeate inside.

Because of its special condition, many people are wondering why do plants have
to be cultivated inside this super special structure, wherein fact, it can be
grown outside with the natural forces readily made available anytime, anywhere.

The answer to this particular issue is based on how the greenhouse really
works. It is only through the understanding of its full operation that people
will appreciate the advantages and environmental use of greenhouses.

Heat It Up

Putting up and maintaining a greenhouse can be a daunting task. However, the
benefits that it brings not only to the environment but also to the owner of
the hothouse cannot be underestimated. For one thing, greenhouses are perfect
cultivating area for people who wish to grow their own vegetable farm or
ornamental plants. This means that they have an all-year round supply of these
items.

However, some people cannot just identify the real purpose of greenhouses
because they believe that there is not so much difference between the outside
environment with that of the interior condition in the greenhouse.

They say that light, water, and air are, in fact, readily made available in the
natural environment. Inside the greenhouse, lights, water, and air are
artificially supplied. They further contend that once the person who is
in=-charge of the process has failed to do his job, chances are, the plants
will die.

Hence, they insist that it would be better to cultivate the plants on its
natural environment rather than locking them up in a glass-made 'prison."

The problem with these people is that they do not understand the main operation
of the greenhouse that is why they cannot appreciate the goodness of
greenhouses. They are not pleased about the benefits that greenhouses may bring.

Therefore, in order to gain the right appreciation of the purpose of
greenhouses, here is a list of detailed facts about the real operation of
greenhouses:

1. It uses solar energy

Like the natural environment, greenhouses make use of the solar energy as well.
That is why greenhouses are made of glass or plastic to allow the natural light
to pass through.

2. It converts the solar energy to heat

This is where the greenhouse benefits start. Basically, when the solar energy
enters the greenhouse, the heat that goes along with the light are trapped
inside the area. Once inside, the heat is distributed throughout the place.
This is similar to the condition of a car that is parked in area with direct
sunlight.

Have you ever observed that after you have parked your car in an open area with
direct sunlight you can still felt he heat being trapped inside your car? Sam
thing goes with the light and heat inside the greenhouse.

Generally, when the "electromagnetic radiation" of the sun enters the
greenhouse, the things inside the structure like the soil, plants, and other
notable material inside the place are being heat up.

Consequently, the materials that make up the greenhouse, like the glass or the
plastic trap the hot air or the heat inside the room. Thus, it heats up both
the air and the plants inside. Likewise, it also heats up the air close to the
ground.

The main purpose of this particular structure of a greenhouse is to prevent
"convection." This is because through convection, heat is eliminated through
the presence of fluids.

The main focus of the issue here is that this particular amount of heat should 
not escape the hothouse in order to proper growth to the plants.

It is for this reason that many people deem it more to cultivate their plants
inside a greenhouse because with proper cultivation process as well as the
regulated amount of light and heat present in the area, optimum plant growth
and development is highly expected.

Indeed, just by looking at it, many people will still question the efficiency
of greenhouses. But as soon as they understand the real concept behind eh
operations within the area, they will soon realize that greenhouses are
absolutely added features for the environment.

Tips on Planning and Building Your Home Greenhouse

Building a greenhouse is like building a house. You should have a well-designed
plan and several things need to be taken into consideration. There are different
types of home greenhouses but your choice should depend on the growing area,
architecture, location and costs. Most importantly, the greenhouse that you
will be building should, of course, serve its purpose of maintaining a proper
environment for plants to grow.

As mentioned, there are several things that need to be considered when putting
up a greenhouse. To give you some tips, here are the things to be included in
the planning stage:

- Location. First thing to note in building a greenhouse is its location. The
best location for a greenhouse is a place where it will get maximum sunlight.
Morning sunlight is best for plants because it makes them start processing
early which will result to maximized growth.

Thus, the best location is on the east side where it gets maximum morning
sunlight especially from November to February. North of buildings or any major
structure is the last location to be considered as it only provides little
light. Also, it is best to make sure that the trees nearby the chosen location
will still allow enough sunlight to reach the greenhouse.

Other things to be considered when choosing location are good drainage,
location of sources of water, electricity and heat. The location should also be
convenient for the owner or the caretaker as well as to the utilities.

- Greenhouse type. In general, a home greenhouse can be any of these two types
-- a free-standing structure or one that is attached to your house or garage.
Attached greenhouses also have different kinds. One example of an attached
greenhouse is the lean-to. This is a half greenhouse attached directly to one
side of a house or building with doorway, if possible. This type is close to
sources of heat, water and electricity and is the least expensive. However,
this kind of structure also has some limitations on space, ventilation, and
sunlight.

Another attached greenhouse variation is the even-span. This kind of structure
has one gable end connected to a building. It provides more usable space and
allows for better air flow to maintain temperature. It is also the most costly,
though, among the attached ones.

The third type of an attached greenhouse is the window-mounted. This type can
be attached on the east or south side of the house or building. This is a glass
enclosure that extends a foot or so, which gives enough space for growing a few
plants at low cost.

Freestanding greenhouses are separate structures that are not limited to a
small space. Since it is set apart from an existing structure or building, it
should have its own water and electricity sources as well as heating system.

When choosing the preferred structure, make sure that enough space for benches,
storage, as well as future expansion is considered. The University of Maryland
Cooperative Extension Service suggests a minimum area of 6 feet by 12 feet for
a free-standing or even-span greenhouse.

- Structural Materials. Your greenhouse should also have a good structural
foundation to withstand extreme weather conditions. There are several options
for a frame and framing materials to choose from. Do-it-yourself greenhouse
plans commonly use wood or metal pipes as their structural material. There are
different kinds of frames available which range from simple to complex designs.
Some examples of frames are Quonset, gothic, rigid-frame, post and rafter, and
A-frame.

Another material to be considered is the covering for your greenhouse. Your
choice of frame and covering should correctly match. Some factors to be
considered to choose a good covering is its ability to trap the most amount of
heat inside, as well as its life span. The different choices for greenhouse
covering include regular glass, fiberglass, double-wall plastic, and film
plastic.

- Foundations and flooring. Glass frames and the double-wall plastic need a
permanent foundation and the plan should be provided by the manufacturers of
the frame. It is also recommended for the greenhouse to be elevated a little to
have enough space for water to flow. Thus, permanent flooring is not advisable
as the soil may stay wet and make the floor slippery. A walkway made of gravel,
concrete or stone is advised for easy access to the all the plants.

- Environmental systems. Once you now have a good plan for the structure of
your home greenhouse, the next thing to consider is its proper maintenance.
Aside from sunlight and heat, different elements are important to maintain the
ideal growing condition for plants. These environmental systems that should be
included in greenhouse planning are heating, air circulation, ventilation,
cooling, controllers and automation, water and lighting systems.

Building a greenhouse can prove to be demanding and challenging. Complete
knowledge about greenhouse is needed for you to be able to build a productive
structure. A considerable amount of time is needed to make a good plan which
should cover all aspects. It pays to learn and scout for different options
before making your final decision.

Planning a Greenhouse for Free

Many people are growing more and more enthusiastic about getting themselves a
greenhouse. Greenhouses are very practical to have nowadays especially when the
prices of crops in the market are becoming more and more expensive.

In building greenhouses, one has several options to choose from. One can
actually hire a professional greenhouse expert to guide him throughout the
whole process of building his greenhouse. From the creation of plans to the
actual creation of the greenhouse, one can use the services of a professional.
However, this approach will entail a lot of costs. The professional fees will
definitely take its toll in the pockets of the greenhouse enthusiast. Another
way to do it is to buy resources about building greenhouses. There are many
resources out there that contain greenhouse plans and other tips which can be
used in building a greenhouse. However, there are sources which give free plans
and tips which can be very useful, especially for greenhouse enthusiasts who are
just beginning.

There are several parts of a greenhouse which need careful consideration and
planning. These are:

1) Base The base is made from sawn timber. This kind of timber can easily be
availed from local timber merchants. This timber is more commonly found in
fences. The base for our plan is measured at 2400 mm by 3000 mm.

2) Side walls The side walls should be built from 75 by 50 tanalised sawn
timber. They usually come in 4800 mm.

When the base is established on a flat ground, the two side walls should be
built. The two side walls should be put upright and temporarily in place on top
of the base. They are to be attached to the base using galvanized nails.

3) Roof frame

The roof frame should also be built using the 75 by 50 tanalised sawn timber.
The roof frames should be placed above the side walls. A roof frame should be
placed at each end of the side walls. They are also to be attached using
galvanized nails.

4) Windows

The windows should be made of 50 by 50 sawn tanalised timber. Some people would
want a couple of windows for their greenhouses. The windows should be hinged so
as to allow regulation of temperature.

5) Covering

The greenhouse covering should be made up of polythene which is resistant to
ultra-violet rays. The covering is to be placed using thin battens which will
hold the polythene to the greenhouse. The battens are to be nailed to the
greenhouse studs and roof rafters. One must be cautious about the kind of
polythene which he will avail from the hardware store since most of the
suppliers only have polythene which is not ultra-violet-resistant.

There are other things to consider when building greenhouses. Here are some of
them:

- One should check the local building regulations before engaging into
greenhouse construction. If in any case that there are restrictions regarding
deeds, one should look at the requirements regarding set backs and regulations
about easement. Hoop houses are greenhouses which are made from frames which
can be easily disassembled. These kinds of greenhouses are not considered as
permanent structures and therefore exempt from the regulations concerning such
structures.

-One should make a layout of the whole yard and the house before he constructs
a greenhouse. A greenhouse would often times become the centerpiece of a garden
or a yard and it is much recommended that people plan before putting a single
nail into it.

-Time management and budgeting are two important things to constantly consider
in building a greenhouse. One should allot around eight to twenty thousand US
dollars if he is serious about constructing a quality greenhouse. However,
there are greenhouse kits that are available out there that are not as
expensive. One should know what to spend and how to spend it. The time table in
constructing a greenhouse should be set according to the plans of the owner.
Greenhouses can be built in a couple of days to a couple of years. It all
depends on the owner.

One may find many free greenhouse construction plans in the Internet. All one
needs to know is the know-how's of search engines. These free plans come with
good tips and wonderful illustrations to guide one in constructing a greenhouse
for his plants.

Choosing And Comparing Greenhouse Panels

The material of your greenhouse is a very significant factor in terms of heat
transfer and the heat it can retain, durability, and the cost in keeping
maintaining a warm greenhouse temperature all throughout the winter months.

There are many paneling materials available in the market that you can choose
from, such as glass, polythene plastic, fiberglass, and polycarbonate are a few
of the common and most popular materials today.

Each material type works well as each also has its individual strong and weak
points. Certainly, some panels suit better the budget of the hobbyist's.

When deciding on a panel for your hobby greenhouse you have to consider the
following:

* The amount of light that can be transmitted.

* The toughness of climate in your area (some can be very windy).

* Easy installation.

* Easy to maintain.

* Decrease light transfer as the panel ages.

* How much heat it can hold.

* Durability and estimated life of the panel until the need of replacement.

* Price.

* Endurance to heavy rain and strong wind; tearing or breakage.

* Weight.

* Flammability.

Fiberglass, glass and polycarbonates, are excellent choices for one who is into
a greenhouse hobby. Plastic panels are commonly used in commercial large
greenhouses although they are not very durable and entail frequent replacing.

Glass, the traditional greenhouse paneling has a very pleasing appearance, can
be easily and reasonably maintained and has high level of permanency. When one
is really concerned about the look of the greenhouse, then glass can be a good
choice for paneling.

Glass permits large amounts of light to pass through, in fact amongst all
paneling, it is glass that can transmit light effectively, and however, it can
break easily.

If you choose to use glass, just make certain that your greenhouse framing and
foundation should really be strong, as glass can be heavy. An aluminum framing
is best when using glass, although it can be expensive to keep the greenhouse
warm as aluminum absorbs the cold during winter.

The drawback of using glass for paneling is that glass is a breakable material,
initially very expensive to construct, needs a very strong framing and
foundation to support its rigidity and heaviness.

Polycarbonate, although not as attractive as glass, yet it is much more
durable. It likewise can not let in as compared to glass; however sunlight that
passes through this material is less slightly concentrated so that plants will
not catch the intense sunlight and heat that a glass greenhouses permits. To
reduce the cost of heating, double or even triple polycarbonate paneling sheets
can work excellently for retaining in the heat.

Fiberglass is a strong, lightweight and essentially hail-proof paneling
material. However, you should use good quality fiberglass since poor grades can
discolor as well reduce penetration of light overtime. Likewise, you need to use
clear and transparent types only. Tedlar-coated quality fiberglass can lasts up
to 20 years.

The resin coating that the glass fibers have eventually will wear off,
permitting dirt to be deposited in the fibers. Therefore, after about 15 years,
there is a need to put on a new resin coating. The penetration of light can be
initially compared to glass, although as it ages, it will considerably drop off
especially when you use poor quality fiberglass. Double-layered rigid plastic
paneling sheets of polycarbonate or acrylic are available for heat-saving and
long-life, covers.

These types of paneling have two coatings of rigid or bendable plastic whish
are divided by webs. This double-layer type of material maintains more heat,
therefore on can save energy of up to 30 percent.

The acrylic paneling is a long lasting, does not discolor; the polycarbonate
generally turns yellow faster, yet typically is shielded by a "UV-inhibitor"
covering on the surface that is exposed to sun and rain. Both paneling do carry
warranties on light transmission characteristics for up to10 years. And both are
ideal for curved surfaces, but polycarbonate paneling is the most bendable
paneling material.

Just keep in mind that the best panel material for your greenhouse is the one
that suits your needs and style and of course, your budget. Just purchase the
best one you can afford.

Paneling Up the Greenhouse

Farming is normally done in an open area. Since the weather is something that
man cannot control, harvests are some times lost due to floods and other
calamities which will take another year recover.

To sustain the growth of the farmer, some have decided to use greenhouses which
prove to be better than growing it out in the field.

Greenhouses enable the farmer to grow just about anything inside a controlled
environment. Since this varies on the species of the plant, the farmer has to
choose what to concentrate on to yield more money from the harvest.

The greenhouse is made up of two important things. The first is the frame which
is the foundation of the structure. The other is the panels which are designed
to keep the plants warm and essential for maximum growth.

Greenhouses in the past were made of glass. Since these shatter when hit by a
hailstorm or break due to a lot of snow, other people have decided to shift to
acrylic or plastic which are better resistant to these types of weather
conditions.

Panels serve both as the roof and the walls of greenhouse. If there are plants
inside that do not need that much sunlight, various covers can be used to block
off some of the sunlight that enter the structure.

According to experts, the amount of ultraviolet rays coming from the sun that
most plants need is about 70-75%. Anything more than that is too much and could
kill those that are planted inside the greenhouse.

There are three kinds of panels that are available in the market.

The most common is glass. This does not provide the plants adequate protection
from the sun's rays which is why people want to try others things to be used as
panels for the greenhouse. People have also used tempered glass which has proven
to be stronger than the regular version.

People who use glass should hire a contractor to do the job since these are
heavy and will require more than 3 people to do the job. This will save time
and money should it break without the help of professionals.

The next is plastic. Manufacturers have been able to produce panels made using
fiberglass, polyester or acrylic and polycarbonate. These have proven to
withstand hail storms, heavy snow, balls and rocks that may fall upon the
greenhouse. These are also very light and only allow the right amount of light
for the plants.

The third is the use of film that is placed on top of the panel. There are to
kinds normally used namely Polyethylene and polyester which also provide
adequate protection from the sun. These are relatively cheap and are bought in
rolls. Once the panels have been set up, the person can just cut it to the size
of the panel and put in on.

Each of these types of panels has its own pros and cons. Choosing the right one
will depend on how often the greenhouse will be used and the types of crops to
be planted.

Farm maintenance is not easy and will require the proper tools to make it work.
As the climate changes during the year, having the right panels will ensure that
plants are able to grow under any conditions.

Panels can be purchased right from the store or made to custom fit the
specifications of the greenhouse. Both the farmer and the contractor must
measure the site first to make sure the right panels are made.

If these are too expensive for the farmer, there are some sites on the internet
that may provide the services at a cheaper price. All the person has to do is
canvass around first before making the decision of the type of panel ideal for
the greenhouse.

Plants need both water and sunlight to survive. The process known as
photosynthesis is essential for plant growth. The person has to do some
research on the types of plants to be grown and the amount of sunlight needed
to ensure a good harvest.

To be sure that the plants are getting just enough in a controlled environment
such as a greenhouse, the right panels should be used to make it work.

Greenhouse Misting System

Greenhouses have become important tools in plant cultivation. They provide much
needed growing rooms for places which are not very conducive for the development
of certain plants. They allow the cultivation of plants in places which could
grow these plants normally.

There are many factors which can affect the development of plants inside a
greenhouse. The proper balance of air circulation, ventilation, humidity,
shading and heating will provide the plants with an optimum environment.

Misting

Other factors will such as ventilation and shading, are important for
prevention of overheating in the greenhouse. However, proper misting or the
control of humidity is the main factor which maintains a comfortable
environment for the cultivation of plants. Evaporation uses up heat when it
turns water from liquid into a gas. When the venting process is done, much
needed moisture is lost from the greenhouse because it escapes into the air.
Misting is one of the ways to replace the lost moisture inside the greenhouse.

The amount of moisture which is needed to be maintained by the greenhouse is
dependent on several factors such as the amount of shading and ventilation that
is provided, the status of the local climate and the fluctuations in the daily
weather. The rule of thumb is that for each 10 square-ft of area, there must be
1-2 gallons/hour of moisture. A misting system will effectively distribute
moisture evenly to all the parts of the greenhouse. A good misting system can
disperse water in a fine mist, this will prevent the plants from being soaked.

Misting systems reduce temperatures by as much as twenty-five degrees F which
is about 14 degrees Celsius.

Here are some facts about misting systems

-Misting systems can be used to disperse water in an ultra fine mist or a very
coarse spray. The size of the droplets can depend on the nozzle type, the
spacing of the nozzle and the operating pressure.

-Misting systems are used for many different kinds of applications aside from
its normal greenhouse chores. They can be used from dust suppression,
controlling static electricity control and concrete curing.

-Misting systems utilize pumps which are designed for intermittent or
continuous duty. Intermittent pumps are designed to sprinkle water for five
minutes and rest for a minute in between misting.

-Misting systems now come with electronic timers which can be programmed to
mist 1-14 times a day with each misting ranging from 1 minute to 24 minutes.
Other systems can be programmed to mist in shorter durations but more often.

-Nozzles are made from brass or plastic materials. The brass nozzles can be
easily affected by minerals that abound in the water supply. The plastic
nozzles can tolerate these minerals and can actually repel lime and other
deposits.

-The amount of water which is needed to maximize the efficiency of the misting
system can be calculated by multiplying the rate of the nozzle flow per minute
by the number of nozzles in the system and the result will then be multiplied
again by the minutes that the misting system will be in operation each day.
This result will be a good estimate of how much water is needed by the system.

-Most misting systems today offer pumps which are almost noise-free. They will
not affect the plants and especially the people near the greenhouse.

-Misting systems can be supplemented by an evaporative cooler. They work very
well in dry climates (where humidity is below 50%). The air is cooled by around
10-20 degrees by the water which is evaporated because they are drawn through
the cooler and then into the greenhouse. Too much humidity can be a problem and
this is why people should water the plant only when they need it.

-The use of tools which can measure humidity can also be very helpful for
greenhouse enthusiasts.

There are other factors that need to be considered in greenhouse plant
cultivation. Misting is just one of them. Misting provides the plants with much
needed cooling for the plants. There are many tools out there that are available
for greenhouse plant cultivations which can immensely increase the quality of
their greenhouses especially in terms of misting. A cultivator just needs to
find out what kind of misting system should be employed for his plants.

Hoop House Greenhouse

Having a greenhouse will give many benefits to a gardener, whether he is a mere
hobbyist or an expert plant cultivator. However, there are many things to
consider in having a greenhouse, not to mention the expenses that come with
building greenhouses.

A good alternative is to own a hoop house type of greenhouse. These are very
simple greenhouses which can be assembled very easily. There are many
advantages in having a hoop house greenhouse, here are some of them:

-Availability of more growing time A hoop house greenhouse provides a gardener
more time to cultivate his favorite plants. An extra 3 to 4 months can be
extracted for planting more crops in the greenhouse.

-Inexpensive way to cultivate Hoop house greenhouses provide an inexpensive way
to help greenhouse enthusiasts to get started into cultivating crops.

-Crop protection from predators and extreme weather conditions Hoop house
greenhouses are built to protect plants from different adverse conditions which
can be brought about by weather conditions and different crop predators. They
provide sturdy and efficient covering for the plants against these factors.

-More varieties of plants can be grown Because hoop houses will allow longer
growing seasons, more varieties of plants can be grown in the hoop houses.

-Increased income and savings One can cultivate different crops which can be
equated into additional income or savings. One can actually sell fruits and
vegetables which are grown in the hoop houses or can plant crops which can be
consumed by the family, therefore avoiding the need to purchase these from the
supermarket.

There are many reasons why gardeners have availed hoop houses for their
gardens. Here are some more pertinent facts about hoop houses that should be
known by other enthusiasts:

-Most growers recover the cost of building their hoop houses in a single season
of planting.

-There are no permits required in building hoop houses since they are not
considered as permanent structures.

-The growing seasons can be extended by using hoop houses and several other
equipments. Hoop houses usually extend growing seasons by as much as 4 months,
but by adding layers of insulating film and an inflation blower, one can extend
the growing season more than four months.

-Hoop houses are usually made from galvanized steel. The galvanized hoops serve
as the framework for the greenhouse. The material is low maintenance, very
sturdy and very economical.

-Hoop houses are characterized by natural regulation of its temperature. There
is no need for extra equipments which can be sources of additional costs. The
hoop houses are warmed by the natural sun and are cooled by the wind. One can
roll the sides up and open the hoop house doors to be able to provide
ventilation to the plants inside. This is a very cost effective way of
cultivating plants in a greenhouse.

-Hoop houses can be built in places where the winds are prevalent and where
snow can be a problem. Hoop houses are built from sturdy frames which are
designed to handle heavy winds and can withstand the harsh effects of snowing.
One can position the hoop house perpendicular to the winds to maximize the
ventilation for the plants. One should also remember to do some maintaining
when the snow comes. Occasional brushing of the snow will be very beneficial
for the hoop house.

-Hoop houses are quite tall and gardeners can use the vertical space to be able
to plant more crops. Adding purlins will allow one to hang baskets, tie up
tomatoes and other plants. The baskets can then be used to plant ornamental
crops or other types of plants. -One can customize his hoop house in terms of
the creation of doors or windows. The traditional hoop houses have a built-in
door and a couple of windows for ventilation.

-There are other functions that hoop houses can do when the planting season is
over. They can serve as a chicken coop if one installs poultry netting. They
can also be used to grow orchids or other ornamental plants.

-Hoop houses can be relocated easily. Relocating hoop houses can be done
without disassembling the structure.

There are many reasons why people turn to hoop houses when they want to have a
greenhouse. Aside from the multiple benefits that plants can get from being
sheltered by hoop houses, these greenhouses are very economical and won't dig
deep into the gardeners' pockets.

Greenhouses: Where the Grass is Green All Year-Round

Gardening enthusiasts in the more interesting temperate climates and any place
where there are four seasons are faced with great benefits as well as
challenges. Because of the four seasons, gardeners are blessed with huge plant
varieties conducive for planting on one or two of the seasons. In the period of
a year, they are given an opportunity to plant varieties that must grow in
cooler climates, and take advantage of the sunny summer to plant those that
would require more exposure to the sun.

However, the seasonality of plant varieties may pose challenges to those who
would rather grow plants continuously, regardless of season. This is especially
true for flower and fruit varieties that require continuous sunlight for an
entire year, for example, or fruit and vegetable perennials that do not bear
fruit and instead shrivel up in the winter.

The response to these challenges is the creation of greenhouses or greenhouse
facilities. A greenhouse is a structure made of glass or plastic that stores up
the sun's rays in order to simulate the temperatures in the spring all year long
inside. By storing up heat inside a greenhouse, it allows individuals to grow
plants continuously even while winter rages hard outside it. Greenhouses also
go by the name glasshouses or hothouses.

The glass or plastic used in the construction of greenhouses are specially
designed to have transmission qualities that will allow for the sun's
ultraviolet rays to be stored inside the greenhouse facility, providing a warm
atmosphere inside, and in effect, warming the plants and the soil. A greenhouse
leaves little or no openings through which the air heated by the stored sunlight
can escape; leaving a small window or hatch open in a greenhouse will lead to a
drastic drop in temperatures.

The general idea of a greenhouse is to protect temperature and climate
sensitive plants from extreme shifts in temperature -- either too hot or too
cold. Maintaining a greenhouse has its own share of toil. Unlike the normal
outdoor environment, which may be left to its own devices to some extent as
nature creates some degree of balance, a greenhouse must be placed under strict
regulation. Inside the greenhouse is a controlled environment that must simulate
the outdoors without overdoing it.

For a start, it must regulate heat and humidity inside the facility. Other
factors to be considered are irrigation of the plants (and sufficiency of the
water available to them), light exposure, and the presence of pests and
diseases must be put into great consideration. Moreover, due to the fact that
the spring outdoors is sealed into a single facility, natural activities like
pollination must be simulated by the introduction of species that will help
make this possible. Bumblebees are the most popular option for pollinators in
greenhouses.

It is recommended that greenhouses be built in the southeast portion of the
property. It is in this way that the minimal sunlight available during the
winter will be maximized by the greenhouse. Moreover, the house can serve to
protect the greenhouse from strong winter blizzards coming in from the north.
Greenhouses may be built attached to a house, or as stand-alone structures. The
latter option provides more growing room for the greenhouse facility.

While it may seem that there is too much to do in order to simply start a
greenhouse, gardening enthusiasts will be more than willing to vouch for
greenhouses, especially if gardening is a hobby. Gardening affords even the
busiest of folks to tend to their plants when they are available. With a
greenhouse, the constraints of day and night, and even the seasons, are put in
the backseat. Greenhouses provide the option of tending to gardens even at
night because lighting and heat is consistently present inside the structure.

Moreover, it gives gardeners the ability to plant exotic flowers and fruits
that are usually grown in warmer tropical areas as they are able to control
light exposure and heat inside the greenhouse.

Greenhouses may even provide profit-making possibilities for gardeners. With
potted plants for indoor growing and flowers growing in demand, greenhouse
owners are given opportunities to sell what they grow inside their greenhouses
to buffer whatever maintenance costs they incur along the way.

In the higher-latitude territories, greenhouses carry the important task of
growing fresh produce in areas where the climates are harsh and cruel on
plants. This is one of the biggest reasons for huge greenhouse facilities that
house vegetables and fruits more than flowers and exotic foliage.

At the end of the day, greenhouses allow for the creation of a miniaturized and
highly controlled natural environment to suit gardening needs. Its growing
potential to provide for fresh produce in territories even with the instability
of global climate proves to be a benefit that may be explored in the future.

Selling Greenhouses to Farmers

Farmers face many challenges when working on the land. This isn't just tilling
the soil or giving it water and nutrients until harvest season. It is also
about being prepared to fight off pests and diseases that will ensure the
person there is sufficient stock to sell in the market.

In order for the farmer to do that, the supplier must do the job of selling a
greenhouse to ensure there are enough crops for everyone in the community.

This can be done by explaining what a greenhouse is. Since these are there to
help the farmer grow crops in a controlled environment, pest and diseases will
become a problem in the past.

Since this comes in various sizes, the designer can bring a brochure to show
what is available. If the space cannot accommodate the existing models, that
person can also offer the farmer to make a customized version according to the
layout of the land.

This will involve measuring the area where it will be and the type of weather
that is prevalent in the area.

There are two things that make up a greenhouse. The first is the structure.
Should the proposed area have strong winds, then the supplier should recommend
the kind made of metal. This will keep the greenhouse on the ground and will
not blow over due to a storm.

The second thing is the panels. Both panels and frames are made up of different
materials which are a change from how these were made years ago. Should the farm
be in a place that has frequent hail or snow storms, the supplier can recommend
panels made of Plexiglas or plastic.

Using this type of material will save the farmer money since these will not
break unlike glass or shatter unlike glass. By explaining the benefits of using
the right materials, money gained from selling crops can make further
improvements in the farm.

Another concern that farmers face is the weather during the winter season. Some
farmers are not able to plant anything since these will just freeze.

The supplier can also introduce in the package heaters which can be used to let
farmers grow crops in a cold climate. These devices are used to keep the crops
warm. This can be powered by electricity, gas or oil that can be installed in
side the greenhouse.

The summer months may also bring in too much heat inside the greenhouse. The
supplier can handle this by also having a ventilation system installed as part
of the package to be offered to the farmer. This will ensure that there is
sufficient oxygen and carbon dioxide for the plants to grow.

The farmer even with the manpower and the resources available may sometimes
have difficulty managing the place. The supplier can also provide a solution
for this by offering a timer to be installed in the greenhouse.

This is set at a certain time in the day that will release water mixed with
nutrients at certain times of the day to help the plants grow.

Since suppliers also attend conferences and conventions about farming more
often that those who work the land, the supplier can give certain
recommendations that can help improve crop production.

A good suggestion is offering a very good technique when it comes to working
with greenhouses. This is called hydroponics farming in which plants are grown
using water instead of soil.

The supplier can cite cases where this technique has proven to produce more
crops than the traditional method of using the soil.

The supplier may have the difficult task of discussing how much it will cost to
set up a greenhouse. This is because the price for a large farm is more than
$4000 a piece. But by showing all the benefits and features of the greenhouse
and understanding the needs of the farmer, the supplier can close a deal which
is good for both parties.

Making a sale with the farmer is just one step in making the business grow. It
is up to the person who is in the farm now to use all the equipment in the
greenhouse to make the crops grow, harvest it then sell it.

Learn the Benefits of Greenhouse Gardening

A greenhouse should provide all the important aspects in gardening. Many people
take importance of the need to nurture and develop healthy plants in all sorts
of climate conditions. Greenhouses are very important in providing necessary
methodical ways to grow and develop plants in a more conventional and easy way.
Plants can grow larger and quicker than their usual growth in normal
agricultural methods of gardening.

The traditional methods seem to supply less production and allow a farmer or a
gardener to spend much of his time in laborious work and consume effort in
tending to the various needs of growing his crop and plants. A farmer may
encounter some inconveniences in the changing climate conditions that may occur
unexpectedly, leaving him with no choice but to let the crop find its own way to
survive. There are certain plants and crops that only live in a specific season
of the year.

Greenhouses help gardeners to grow plants regardless of the season. Greenhouses
are built with well-planned internal systems that will provide the necessary
aspects for plant to continue its life process. There are installed heating
systems and humidifying systems that will supply the exact amount of heat
needed to warm and light the plants during winter season where sunlight is
limited.

Sunlight is very essential for a plant to grow and develop. It is where it
allows its solar radiation to produce the photosynthetic reaction needed by the
leaves and stems of the plant. This process is very essential in supplying the
needed chlorophyll by the plants to grow healthier and larger.

However, too much exposure is not that good as well to some plants. Greenhouses
must also be structured with proper shading and coverings to allow only the
needed solar radiation. A good ventilation system is also required to have a
good circulation of air that will react to the needed humidity and cooling in
seasons where too much external heat affects the humidity inside the greenhouse.

Many gardeners nowadays build their greenhouses with proper greenhouse
accessories that will supply them the needed functionality to have a
well-balanced environment. It is necessary to set up some basic supplies that
will attend to the need of producing healthier and larger plants. Some supplies
instantly help a gardener to calculate the temperature such as the thermal
measuring system that sets up the needed temperature to heat and cool the
plants depending on the type of internal climate.

Rainwater systems are also important to have a well-distributed water flow in
the greenhouse. He may collect water from the downspouts and gutters of the
greenhouses, which is considered ecologically friendly instead of installing
automated water system that can be installed with set timers and metered
watering systems that irrigates the plants in specific intervals according to
the set time to water the plants.

Some people also accessorized using modernized potting benches and tools, which
are very helpful every time a gardener attends to his plants. He may have the
luxury of placing his tools with the proper designated places where a gardener
feels comfortable and allow him to work conveniently in sowing and cultivating
the soil. Potting benches are mostly featured with trays and holders serving as
storage whenever a tool is not in use.

Greenhouses are structured and are sometimes attached to the house where all
the basic supplies are all provided in the systems of the house. In this way,
all materials and basic needs are supplied directly into the house such as
water, electricity, shadings and coverings. However, many people have more
pleasure in freestanding greenhouses where they spend much of their time in
enjoying and relaxing while tending to their plants.

In some cases, greenhouses are hydroponically oriented where the use of organic
chemical materials is supplied on their plants. This method is vastly accepted
all over the country. This method is basically conventional because a gardener
may not need the use of soil in his gardening.

He may save more space and time in cultivating and potting his plants. The
liquid solution is fed the roots of the plants allowing the roots to accept and
distribute the needed nutrients to the fast growth of the plants. It also helps
a farmer in increasing his production using this kind of method.

Choosing A Window Greenhouse

Instead of looking out through your glass panes and watching your not so long
ago attractive flower beds that are now frozen in the winter, you can easily
transform your windowpane into a little greenhouse where houseplants, herbs,
seedlings and flowers will thrive.

A window greenhouse is also a great project for the plant lovers with much
limited space. Also referred to as a garden window, even with its very small
structure, this little garden can supply you with enough space so that you can
enjoy year-round blossoms.

Cost, materials and your window greenhouse size are factors to be considered
when deciding the style that best suits you. Just do keep in mind that the
style should math the design of your home.

There are complete kits bay window style units that are energy saving and
installs easily. They certainly will open up any room and likewise increase the
functionality of a living space. Window greenhouse seat board may be utilized as
a pretty breakfast nook or give a place for indoor plants that takes up a lot of
floor space.

The bow greenhouse window can also be a great option that comprises of more
than four glass segments to imitate a rounded look. Bay greenhouse windows
generally come in three segments with sides that are angled at either thirty or
forty-five degrees.

Your most cost-effective and simple to build option will be a complete
greenhouse bow window kit as compared to building a new window greenhouse
yourself. With the kit, all you have to do is remove your existing window then
enlarge the opening of the wall in accordance to the required size stipulated
in the kit and just screw and nail your greenhouse window in place.

However, you should first select a size or measurement that suits your interest
as well as the plants that you will be housing. More plants will mean more time
is required from you in order to attend to them. Starting with a smaller
greenhouse window unit can be a good idea, as you can just install another one.
However when your goal is to have more open space then start bigger.

Bow greenhouse windows that come in vinyl maintenance-free material or aluminum
coated wood are very appealing. The interior is natural wood which can be
stained or painted. With the imitation wood graining, often the stained or
painted vinyl looks very real as well as maintenance-free.

Your choices when it comes to window greenhouse features are endless. For
energy saving, select a bow greenhouse window structure with bendable foam
insulation that is constructed into the seat board or headboard. Some really
efficient kinds have foam-stuffed cavities and frames.

The glass paneling is considered to be the core of any greenhouse window for
glare control, comfort, efficiency and resistance to fading. For most
temperatures and weather, low-emissive or "low-e" type of glass having argon
gas between gaps is not a good choice. Select a glass having insulating spacer.

Examine you home and search for that area having those "ready-made" qualities
to put up your window greenhouse. You need warmth, good light supply and easy
water access. Maintaining and growing plants indoors requires that you provide
humidity, sunlight and constant temperature.

Keep in mind that you will be working with the plants such as transplanting
them when needed, watering, fertilizing and checking for disease, so you need
an area of the house that is easily accessible to you, that will not clash with
other activities in the home.

When you want and enjoy the sight of colorful flowers from where you always
stay for instance, in the kitchen, it does not have to follow that you should
have your window greenhouse in the kitchen, even if there is limited space; you
can just rotate flowering plants to many parts of the house, and just return
them regularly to the window greenhouse for some rest and sunshine.

Once you have decided where to put your window greenhouse, decide weather you
will be building it yourself or you will purchase a kit.

Just remember that foliars are just the beginning. You can always purchase
potted flowering plants in bloom and arrange them in your window greenhouse.
During fall, you can already plant summer flowers in pots that you can enjoy
when summer comes. Also, herbs are attractive, useful and fragrant addition to
your window greenhouse. You can now garden all year long and enjoy it no matter
what the weather brings.

What Every Gardener Needs to Know About Greenhouse Systems

With so many harmful elements that tend to destroy the environment these days,
having your plants nurtured and developed within a remarkable structure. Known
as the greenhouse, you can expect an all year-round supply of lush vegetations
and flowering plants without worrying about the adverse effects of the
pollution in the environment.

Indeed, cultivating plants in a greenhouse is one of the most remarkable
structures and concept man has ever created. However, putting up and setting up
a greenhouse is not an easy thing precisely because it entails a lot of factors
that needs to be considered in order to provide the plants a healthier place to
live.

With the "closed environment" of the greenhouse, it is a must for every
gardener to provide the appropriate equipments that will answer to the
different needs of the plants.

These equipments are classified into three systems, each having its own unique
capability of nurturing the plants. These systems provide the benefits similar
to what the outside environment can do.

Here are the three greenhouse systems:

1. Greenhouse lighting system

Light is an essential factor in plant propagation and development. Since we
started to learn how plants make their own food back in grade school, it is
worth noting that light will always be a part of a plant's survival.

Given that premise, it is substantial to note that a good lighting system is
important in a particular greenhouse environment. Greenhouse lighting systems
provide undoubted assistance to the development of the plants especially during
the winter season.

The idea of the greenhouse lighting system is to remake summer's warmness,
heat, and light through artificial methods and devices. In this way, the plants
will be lured to continue on its production stage even if they should already be
on their inactive phase.

Hence, it is interesting to note that with this innovative greenhouse lighting
system, gardeners can actually look forward to a yearlong production in spite
of the winter season.

2. Greenhouse watering system

Among the important factors that initiate plants production and growth, water
comes close next to light. Without water, plants will die; there is no doubt
about it. But where water seems inadequate to provide since the plants are
confined in a close environment, the greenhouse water systems will do the job.

Greenhouse water systems do not necessarily pertains to the watering activity
within the greenhouse environment. One of the main purposes of the greenhouse
water system is to lessen the temperature inside to as much as 25° Fahrenheit.

This particular greenhouse system is, likewise, built to provide adequate water
as well as fertilizer feed as possible. It specially designed to provide
mechanical "trickle type" of irrigation and fertilizer feeding. It has a
modifiable control system that will provide changeable flow of fertilizer and
water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

3. Greenhouse Electrical System

This is the most important aspect of the greenhouse systems. Electricity is the
utmost element that is needed to fuel all of those feasible devices such as
temperature and humidity gauge, lighting fixtures, and other important devices
that feeds on electricity.

This particular greenhouse system has an adjustable on and off button that
regulates the flow of electricity within the area. It also has its won timer
switch that automatically shuts off when no device is expected to use it.

One of the best things about the greenhouse electrical system is that it has
"low-voltage timers" and power line of electricity. In fact, the maximum amount
of voltage for most electrical systems is 150 watts. This goes to show that the
amount of energy that is being consumed is just enough to power all the devices
needed inside the greenhouse but not too much that it will burn your expenses
right at your fingertips.

Moreover, this greenhouse system is so easy to install. In fact, for small
greenhouses, there are electrical systems that can be mounted even without the
expert help of an electrician.

Indeed, these three greenhouse systems work together in order to answer the
needs of the plants as far as their development is concerned. With all these
greenhouse systems, putting up and maintaining a greenhouse is never hard
enough to start with.

Given all that, coming up with your own greenhouse is as easy as 1-2-3 as long
as you have these three reliable greenhouse systems at hand.

Supplies Needed for Your Greenhouse

A greenhouse may help a person to shorten the growing period of the plants.
This allows a person to harvest the crop earlier than the usual period he would
normally expect. Greenhouse planting requires proper planning to absolutely have
an increase of crop production. He may be kept busy throughout the year
attending to his greenhouse because of the continuous cultivation and gardening
activities.

The germination status of each plant could turn out for the better because the
seeds may produce different kinds of plants. A greenhouse has the capacity to
control the amount of sunlight needed by the plants. It can also control the
temperature and the humidity inside that will ensure the person to have
healthier and an increased production.

He may start on propagating the seeds to ensure an organic growth with his
plants. It is also advisable not to apple fungicide on his seeds because it
might destroy its nutrient absorption on the soil's organic fertilizer. A
greenhouse allows plants to grow faster and bigger that their usual sizes
unlike when plants are raised in the traditional way of agriculture where the
climate affects the growth of any plant.

Greenhouses may come on small and large designs. It may depend on the space
area allotted for its foundation. The shapes are commonly rectangular but there
are new styles that are applied on new greenhouses such as those conservatory
styled greenhouses, which are attached to the house. A person may not judge the
style of the greenhouse but for its approach to its plants. In order to have a
more conventional greenhouse a person may consider different supplies and
accessories to maintain and upgrade its full potential.

1. The best advisable covering a greenhouse should have is a fiberglass
covering. The maintenance is very easy and it does not deteriorate fast. It has
the ability to control the needed sunlight compared to plastic and wooden
shades. The ventilation is readily prepared on the roofing to control the
temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse.

2. The potting benches are the most common helpful supplies he may need in the
greenhouse. Most potting benches come with one or two shelves that store
potting supplies such as dirt, manure, fertilizer and the pots. He may not need
extra effort in cleaning it after its use because of the tray supporting the
holders and the flat top. He may place the potting supplies near his potting
area so that it would be more convenient for him not to waste any movements
while gardening.

3. Rainwater systems are also available for ecology oriented and conscious
gardeners. He may collect the needed water from the downspouts and gutters of
the greenhouse water system. The irrigation and watering of the plants can be
environment friendly compared to those automated water systems.

4. The lighting supplies are very essential in the greenhouse. He may avail of
grow lights that increase the spectrum growth of the plants. It also provides
the needed warmth and artificial sunlight in cases of climate changes. They may
be very effective during the winter season where most plants grow short because
they are not exposed to the needed sunlight.

5. A greenhouse should have shelving supplies. There are growing shelves
supplies that stabilize the greenhouse condition. They come with aluminum
frames where he can place the seeds on its trays. They also feature an ultra
violet plastic stabilizer covering to create the needed greenhouse conditions.

6. He may need to supply the greenhouse with a misting propagation system. This
will ensure the plants of a healthier growth because of the sustained moisture
in the air. To have a balanced and controlled humidity, he may avail of the
automated misters. They come with timers to mist the place and moisture sensors
for the moisture density. The misting propagation system is very essential to
those greenhouses that grow tropical plants.

Other optional supplies and accessories he may add to his greenhouse are the
automatic plant misting system, soil sterilization supplies, thermometers,
special shelving systems, shelters and shades with roof ventilation, plant
lighting tools, and humidity gauges. All these supplies may have their own use
in a greenhouse. He may consider his budget before availing any of these
optional supplies.

Know Your Greenhouse Supplies

More and more people are maintaining a greenhouse in their own yards. Most have
found it a fulfilling endeavor, not just to grow plants, but to grow plants
well. Thus if this interests you, then it is best to learn the basics of a
greenhouse.

What Is a Greenhouse?

The greenhouse serves as the home for young and tender plants, especially those
grown out of their normal season. This is mainly designed to create a proper
environment for the plant and for cultivation of the same.

It is usually made with plastic or glass-paned sloping roof and walls. This
way, the temperature, light and even moisture can be easily controlled to give
a balanced condition encouraging to the plants.

The greenhouse is best suited to grow plants of all kinds. The usual varieties
are cacti, orchids and citrus trees. This is also a very ideal venue to
implement plant research.

Ideally, the natural sunlight is sufficient to supply the requirements of
plants, especially in temperate regions. However, when winter comes it is
necessary to supply the plants with heat and light to encourage growth. The
heat usually comes from steam or hot-air circulating system.

During the summer, the panes would be covered to reduce the light intensity.
The structure of the greenhouse will allow heat to be easily reduced. This is
done by opening the ventilators or whitewashing the panes.

Humidity is maintained by the water supplied in the soils. When the greenhouse
needs greater humidity, the floors are usually sprayed with water. For
pot-grown plants, like the orchids, they are set on racks with moistened
residues.

There are many aspects that make a productive greenhouse. These generally
depend on the supplies installed in the greenhouse. To know what these supplies
are, just read on.

What Are the Important Greenhouse Supplies?

To have a really successful greenhouse, it is important to have the proper
supplies and accessories to put in it. Listed below are several important
greenhouse supplies.

1. Ventilation

This is the most important supply you can not miss out on your greenhouse. It
serves to purposes, to provide carbon dioxide to plants and to cool the
greenhouse. Without this, the greenhouse might just be simply your furnace.

The greenhouse is really storing the heat coming from the sun during the day,
creating a warmer environment inside the greenhouse compared to the outside.
Thus the ventilation fan system will be helpful in bringing in fresh and cooler
air inside.

2. Heating System

The heating source is important too, especially during the nighttime and for
the cold seasons to come. Generally, the heat supplied by the sun is stored by
the greenhouse. At night, the heating systems will serve as the heat source.

This can be fueled by wood, gas, oil or even electricity. The choice simply
depends on whatever type of fuel can be available in the locality as well the
costs.

Some make use of electric heaters for smaller greenhouses. This should be
treated with extra caution. It is not supposed to be exposed or be in contact
to water to avoid any electric shock.

3. Greenhouse Thermometers

It is not sufficient that you provide temperature in the greenhouse. You have
to be able to control and maintain the proper temperature. The only way you can
do this is to get the min/max thermometer. This records the high and low
temperature of the greenhouse.

What is at stake is the valuable data that can help you determine if the
heating or cooling equipment is working correctly.

4. Fog System and Watering System

Mist and fog systems are useful in any serious greenhouse. It helps in
maintaining the humidity level. A good amount of humidity can also help reduce
the need for water supply.

When it comes to watering the plants, it will have to depend on the type of the
plant. The regular wand can be used on the average grown plants. The drip system
is best for watering larger plants. This is also a good way to save on water.

For seedlings, it is ideal to use a watering system with small sprinklers, or
even misting systems. Using the regular hose or wand will simply disturb the
soil.

5. Lighting

Lighting is also very important for growing plants. This will serve as the
artificial sun, especially when the season does not give much heat, light and
sun.

6. Shading

Shades come in handy during the hot summer. They block a certain part of the
rays of the sun from entering the greenhouse. This is to avoid too much heat
and sunlight on a dry season. The shade is also very helpful to some plants
that grow best when screened from the direct sun.

7. Flooring and Benches

The flooring details will be for the benefit of the greenhouse owner. It can be
aesthetic as it polishes the image and ambience of the greenhouse. It can also
be functional. It is best to use non-skid surface so there will be not much
worry during watering time. It should be easy to clean and must be able to
endure the moisture in the environment.

Benches can also provide comfort. When attending to the plants, it would not
hurt to do it while sitting. It is also a good place to observe and enjoy the
fruits of your labor. This can also serve shading purposes to plants located
beneath or just behind it.

With these important details at hand, you can easily come up with a master plan
to get that perfect greenhouse for your plants.

Equipments You'll Need for a More Productive Greenhouse

Ever wondered how higher altitude places can grow crops in their location?
Plants need enough heat and sun's energy to grow. However, for places that are
located in the northern portion of the globe, this requirement may be difficult
to attain because of the nature of their weather. Thus, farmers in these places
use the greenhouse method to be able to still successfully to grow good quality
crops.

A greenhouse is an enclosed structure where plants are being cultivated. This
building is usually made of glass or plastic to trap the sun's electromagnetic
radiation to warm the plants and soil inside. Having a greenhouse needs proper
maintenance for a more productive crop growing. Different supplies are needed
by greenhouse farmers to make this happen.

Greenhouse Supplies There are different materials and equipments needed for a
greenhouse planting to be effective. Here are some examples of the supplies you
will need in case you are planning to build a greenhouse:

1. Heating and cooling thermostats. Since temperature is crucial to the
efficiency of greenhouse structures, a thermostat is needed to be placed inside
the building. The best location to mount it is near the middle of the greenhouse
and at plant height. Also, it would be best if both the cooling and heating
thermostats are protected from direct contact with water and sunlight.

2. Vents. Greenhouse temperature and humidity should be controlled to attain
perfect growing conditions. Thus, vents are needed to be able to get in more
air for proper ventilation during warm seasons, or seal out air in colder times
of the year.

3. Exhaust fans. For plants to grow healthier in your greenhouse, circulation
fans are needed. These fans even out the distribution of fresh air and heat
inside the greenhouse.

4. Plant watering systems. Of course, aside from heat and fresh air, plants
also need water to grow. You can always do the watering on your own by having
water hoses long enough to reach all parts of the greenhouse. Moreover, it
would be best if you just have an automatic watering system so you don't have
to worry not having to water your plants when you are out. This watering system
should be placed on a shelf above the plants then connect the drippers to the
circulation tubing.

5. Benches and shelving. These pieces of garden furniture are needed to be able
to place more plants in lesser space. They are ideal for greenhouse owners doing
gardening as a hobby. Also, a good-sized working bench is needed for potting and
repotting of plants.

6. Lighting system. Having a good lighting system helps increase the speed of
growth of plants as it provides plenty of light for longer periods of time.

7. Thermometers. To properly maintain the ideal conditions inside the
greenhouse, you will need to monitor the different factors affecting your
plants' growth. Different thermometers are needed for you to be able to track
changes occurring inside the structure. Examples of these thermometers are the
regular thermometer, humidity gauge, soil thermometer and the light intensity
meter.

8. Ground cover. Since weeds are known to grow anywhere, it is best to protect
your soil from these weeds that carry pests and diseases to plants. To do this,
you can have a ground cover as a floor to your greenhouse or cover it with soil,
sand, brick and gravel.

9. Cycle timers. To be able to automate the equipments you use in your
greenhouse, you can also put a cycle timer which can accurately cycle the
equipments on and off time. This is ideal for ventilation controls, irrigation,
and misting. With this timer, you do not have to worry going in and out of your
greenhouse to turn the machines on and off.

10. Greenhouse books and reading materials. Continuous learning is essential
for anything we do. Same goes with maintaining greenhouses. You need to be well
equipped with all the necessary requirements of having more productive plant
cultivation in your greenhouse. These books and magazines will also keep you
updated of the latest news and recent technology releases about greenhouses.

These are just some of the main supplies you need to have a well-maintained
greenhouse. There are several items available online or at your favorite garden
supplies shop. Take a look at them and determine which ones will be useful to
your greenhouse.

What Makes Up the Greenhouse Structure?

Having a farm is not just about planting crops and harvesting it. There is a
lot of work to be done to protect it from disease, pests and the weather. Since
these areas are usually big and require a lot of manpower, scientists have come
up with a better idea.

This plan is to grow crops in a controlled environment which makes it easy to
grow crops all throughout the year. This structure which can be big or small
depending on the open space in the farm is known as the greenhouse.

A greenhouse is an enclosed building that is usually made up of metal, wood and
glass. These structures are designed so that the farmer can grow vegetables,
flowers and fruits. The person can buy one and have it assembled in the farm or
have it custom made according to certain specifications.

This new method has better results than doing farming the non-organic way such
as the use of sewage, irradiation, pesticides and herbicides. This is only
after tests have shown that this is a health risk that does more harm than good.

A very good example which has shown that this approach is effective is the use
of hydroponics farming. This technique doesn't require the use of soil but
rather water to make the plant grow. In one experiment, scientists were able to
produce more tomatoes using water than it was using soil.

Since then, other ways of doing hydroponics have been done and this has helped
the productivity of the farmers.

More farmers rely on free standing greenhouses. Before these can be set up in
the farmland, a good location must be determined that should provide adequate
sunlight and wind to help the plants grow.

The most important thing that keeps the greenhouse standing is the frame.
Developers have made versions using wood, metal, aluminum and plastic. The
farmer can use any of these or have one that is a combination of any of these
materials. This will depend on the budget of the farmer and the type of weather
conditions there is in the area.

Plants grow because of two things. The first is the nutrients that are given to
it. The second is sunlight. This makes it important for the farmer to choose the
right panels.

Traditional greenhouses use glass but there are many problems when these are
used as panels. Since it doesn't protect the crops from the sun and merely lets
it in, too much heat can kill the plants.

When there is a hurricane or a hailstorm, rocks and other things in most cases
break the glass. This will cost a lot of money on the part of farmer to replace.

In order for the farmer to make money in selling crops than paying for repairs,
designers have made panels using other things such as plastic, film and
Plexiglas. This is a remarkable improvement since these are shatterproof and
are able to stand severe weather conditions.

These also allow only 75% of ultraviolet light to enter the greenhouse which is
the sufficient amount needed to help the plants grow.

The climate is changing and that is something that people cannot change. The
effects of El Niño and La Niña have made the weather worse than the year before
and this is a challenge that farmers must face.

Another thing that makes up the greenhouse is the equipment needed to keep it
running. Farming in a cold climate can be difficult and since plants need
warmth, a heater should also be installed.

Heaters come in big and small sizes. This can be powered by electricity, using
propane gas, oil and other non-renewable resources. This device gives farmers
the means to meet the demands of the people especially during the winter.

Farms have also changed thanks to technology. People don't have to till the
land anymore using rakes. Greenhouses can have timers which release water mixed
with nutrients at certain times of the day helping the plants grow.

Though it is quite expensive to build a greenhouse, by selecting the proper
structure, the farmer can be sure that come harvest time, there will be enough
crops to sell to the market and money can be made.

Create a Warm and Suitable Environment for Growth with Greenhouse Plastic

Greenhouse plastic is mainly responsible for maintaining a hothouse effect
within a greenhouse. Greenhouse plastic creates a warm and suitable growing
environment that allows various types of plants to cultivate beautifully. It
creates an enclosure that protects plants from the harmful ultraviolet rays of
the sun while taking advantage of its natural warmth and light. The filtered
environment produced by greenhouse plastic makes it possible for garden
enthusiasts to grow luscious plants like vegetables and flowers in the cold
dead of winter.

Greenhouse plastic is explicitly designed to resist wear and tear unlike
conventional construction plastic that cannot filter ultraviolet rays from the
sun. Greenhouse plastic is durable due to its knitted design that allows it to
be cut and sized to meet the required length for a structure without fraying,
ripping or tearing. The material can easily be framed around any greenhouse
opening like a vent, door or windows.

Greenhouse plastic is the preferred covering of most garden enthusiasts
compared to other types of greenhouse covering. At the same time costs are
greatly reduced when greenhouse plastic is used since it lightweight and does
not require heavy-duty structural framing. The diffusion of light into a
structure constructed of greenhouse plastic is as good as that of a glass
greenhouse.

Types of Greenhouse Plastic

Greenhouse plastic films are generally made of three types of plastics namely,
PVC or polyvinyl chloride, PE or polyethylene and copolymers. Although, there
are other types of plastic used these three are most widely used among all.

Polyethylene greenhouse plastic is available in two types, the utility grade
and the commercial grade greenhouse plastic. Utility grade polyethylene
greenhouse plastic is sold at local hardware stores and generally stays in good
condition for practically a year. Commercial grade polyethylene greenhouse
plastic last longer that utility grade PE up to eighteen months and is treated
with ultraviolet inhibitors that filter out ultraviolet rays.

Copolymers are more durable and last up to three years. Innovative additives
introduced into greenhouse plastic enable it to mimic the same effects of a
glass greenhouse at considerably reduced costs. Polyvinyl chloride is more
expensive compared to polyethylene however this type of greenhouse plastic can
last up to five years. However PVC greenhouse plastic requires regular washing
to prevent dust buildup from the air. It is also sold in smaller sheets of four
feet by six feet wide.

How to Attach Greenhouse Plastic to Frame

Once the frame has been built it is time to put on the greenhouse plastic film
to enclose the entire structure. The plastic film can either be made of
polyethylene, copolymers or polyvinyl chloride depending the preference of the
owner. But as much as possible choose a greenhouse plastic that is resistant to
ultraviolet rays in order to make the most of the structure. Before laying the
greenhouse plastic covering on the frame it is important to mask the joints of
the frames with several rounds of tape or a rubber material to prevent it from
puncturing the covering.

The greenhouse plastic film can be secured in place using a staple gun. A more
rigid construction using 1" by 2" wood strips and wood screws can also be used
to secure the greenhouse plastic film in place. The wood strips are attached to
the frame so that the greenhouse plastic film does not come in direct contact
with the frame.

A popular technique used by nurseries is a double-walled construction for
better insulation within the structure that adds up to considerable energy
savings. Two sheets of plastic are layered and framed leaving a small amount of
space in between about five to eight inches wide. Air is introduced into the
framed plastics that produce a dead air zone, which can efficiently insulate
the entire greenhouse. Various tapes like poly patching tape and batten tape
can be used to secure greenhouse plastic into place.

Poly patching tape is constructed from UV protected acrylic along with the
adhesive to protect the greenhouse plastic from weakening on contact with it.
This type of tape can be used to patch holes and rips that may happen to the
plastic film. Its excellent holding strength and wide tape make an ideal for
securing the plastic film to the frame of the greenhouse. On the other hand
batten tape can be fastened the plastic film using staples or tacks to the
greenhouse structure. It is also made of heavy gauge vinyl that is also UV
protected.

Greenhouse Manufacturers 101: Finding the Best among the Greens

When buying a particular product, people are always concerned with the name of
the manufacturer. This is because most people tend to think that the quality of
the product depends on the kind of manufacturer. In fact, in a certain survey, 6
out of 10 consumers say that they would rather buy a product whose manufacturer
is already recognized.

For this reason, experts contend that it would be better to consider the
manufacturers first before buying a product.

This is also applicable when buying greenhouses. In today's modern world, most
greenhouses are readily made available in the market. In fact, most of the
greenhouses can be purchased in kits, while others still opt for the manually
constructed designs.

Greenhouses are the innovative forms of gardening today. Confined in "enclosed
structural designs" that are usually made from glass or plastics, greenhouses
are believed to offer more than what the outside environment can give to the
plants. In this kind of arrangement, light and heat are regulated, thus,
providing the right amount in conformity to the particular needs of every plant
classification.

Greenhouses can be acquired in assembled form, as "do-it-yourself kits," or in
specially made models. Most of these types of greenhouses differ upon the kinds
of "structural beams" and the kind of windowpanes that go with it.

For this reason, it is highly significant for consumers or would-be greenhouse
grower to consider the greenhouse manufacturer to ensure the quality of the
materials that are used to construct the "hothouse."

Here is a list of some tips that you must know when contemplating on a
greenhouse manufacturer:

1. Do your homework

Nothing comes close in getting a good buy than knowing the kind of situation
that you are in. This means that it is important for a consumer to have a
handful of knowledge about the product that he is about to buy. This will
enable him to confidently identify the things that need to be evaluated first.

Take into considerations the greenhouse manufacturers. It would be better for
every consumer to learn about the different greenhouse manufactures in their
area. Ask some people, especially those who are already engage into greenhouse
businesses, on the ideal greenhouse manufacturer that can provide the best
products.

2. Know the manufacturer

If you happen to see a good-enough kind of greenhouse, it would be better to
check on its manufacturer. Keep in mind that buying a remarkable product does
not always guarantee its excellence. Sometimes people just have to check on its
manufacturer to certify its quality.

3. Certifications

When choosing a greenhouse manufacturer, it would be better to check if it is
affiliated to a well-known association.

Today, most of the highly acclaimed greenhouse manufacturers are members of The
National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association or the NGMA. This is a certified
"trade organization" built specially for the greenhouse manufacturers as well
as the trader or contractors of greenhouses and its parts.

If you will buy your greenhouse from a greenhouse manufacturer that is
affiliated with the NGMA, you can be sure that you will be dealing with an
expert. This is because NGMA only recognize those greenhouse manufacturers that
are highly knowledgeable and qualified greenhouse manufacturers in the business.

So if you are still looking for a good greenhouse manufacturer, try to contact
the NGMA for further information. They have a long list of qualified
manufacturers that could provide you with the best greenhouses.

4. Shop around

Grabbing the first greenhouse manufacturer that comes your way is a big no-no,
even if its manufacturer is highly recognized in the business. It is still
better to shop around for more. In this way, you get to compare prices of the
greenhouse or its parts among the qualified greenhouse manufactures that you
were able to find.

Keep in mind that getting the best buy is not always dependent on the expertise
of the manufacturer. The gratification is always double when the product is
bought at a good price.

5. Go online

If there are good enough greenhouse manufacturers in the industry, there are
also good enough manufacturers online. The best thing about choosing greenhouse
manufacturers online is that you get to evaluate the business without
difficulty. Best of all, choosing greenhouse manufacturers online is easier
because of the reviews provided by the consumers themselves.

Indeed, choosing the perfect greenhouse manufacturer that will work best for
you can be very tedious, but keep in mind that its results offers great
advantages like no other.

Should Farmers Do Business with Greenhouse Manufacturers?

The ancient people of Egypt did farming using a good irrigation system and
proper sunlight to make the crops grow. This practice still continues today
which has served as the backbone of the agricultural industry.

Since the weather, insects and diseases threaten the crops throughout the year;
this has prompted scientists and farmers to use of fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides to sustain crop production.

Recent studies have shown that this does more harm than good since the
ingredients for these products are hazardous to health. This has changed again
the approach used by farmers and scientist who want to go back to organic
farming.

To control crop production against the weather, greenhouses have been erected.
This provides a controlled environment to grow the plants all throughout the
year.

Greenhouses are usually built using wood and metal while the panels are made of
glass. Since this isn't sturdy enough to withstand the weather, termites and
rust, manufacturers have come up with many models using different materials.

The frames of the greenhouses can now be made of aluminum and plastic which is
rust and termite resistant. Frames on the other hand can be made of plastic or
film which has been proven to be stronger than glass during heavy snow and hail
storms.

It is also scratch proof and will not break even if a rock is thrown at it.
This has also proven to allow only 70% to 75% of ultraviolet rays from entering
the greenhouse which is the right amount of sunlight needed for plants to grow.

Each of these depends on the specifications of the farmer and how big the area
is. There are freestanding versions and there are those that can be custom
made. The person has to assess the area before making the decision of what kind
of greenhouse is ideal.

Greenhouse manufacturers do not only make the shelter for the plants. It also
provides instruments and machines to ensure plant growth. This will all depend
on how often it is used, the types of plants and the weather where it will be
put up.

Farmers who live in cold climates need heaters to keep the plants warm during
the autumn and winter months. This can be bought in different sizes that cater
to the needs of the individual.

Manufacturers can also provide timers that can release water at different times
of the day to give plants the proper nutrients for growth.

There are many ways to do farming and manufacturers who have been in the
business for years can give good advice. A very popular technique used in the
United States and in Europe is called Hydroponics.

This uses water instead of soil for plant growth. Manufacturers of these
greenhouses can provide the necessary tools and machines that will make this
process work. There are many ways that this can be done and those who are new
to this technique can learn from these professionals.

A good thing about this technique is that farmers are able to product 4 to 6
times more than the traditional method. It also helps these people avoid the
usual problems with soil such as weeds, diseases and pests.

Greenhouses do not have to be expensive. The farmer just has to check what is
needed then work with the manufacturer within a certain budget. Some
manufacturers can even offer better prices when these are ordered online with
free delivery.

There are organizations that farmers and hobbyists can reach to get the right
greenhouse. Some of these people also join agricultural conventions and other
events to promote the use of greenhouses.

Manufacturers not only make or deliver the parts to assemble the greenhouse.
These professionals are also there to assemble it since these are heavy and
sometimes delicate which is costly for the farmer to replace.

Farming has not changed that much through the years. The basic things needed
for plant growth are still water, nutrients and the right environment. The
greenhouse allows the farmer to grow crops not only once a year but all
throughout even during the hottest and coldest climates.

By working with the manufacturers of these structures, farmers will also be
able to produce more yields which are good for business and the public will
always have fruits, vegetables and flowers.

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Greenhouse Lighting

If you are one of those few people who are in love with nature, then, having a
greenhouse garden at your background is an incredible idea. In fact, according
to some statistical reports, 80% of the 100 people that owned greenhouses in
the United States were nature lovers, while the remaining 20% said it was
purely for commercial gains.

Built specially for plant cultivation, greenhouses or hothouses are specially
designed to suit the needs of every plant lover. It is a sanctuary where people
and plants can bond together and enjoy each other as they fill the world with
lush flora and abundant greens.

In as much as greenhouses are designed to provide the perfect environment for
any kind of plant, there are some cases wherein the viability of the equipment
is still dependent on the owner of the greenhouse or to those who manage the
area.

In this sense, it is important for every greenhouse owner to see to it that the
needs of the conservatory are being met.

The Greenhouse Setting

Technically, the main concept of a greenhouse is that the plants are placed in
a space confined in a specially designed structure. Since the plants were not
cultivated in an open area, it is extremely important for the owner to provide
the necessary requirements that the plants have.

One should keep in mind that the plants are placed in a secured place; hence,
it is the responsibility of the greenhouse owner or the one who manages the
place to provide the needs similar to that of the ones being enjoyed by the
plants in the exterior environment.

The Lighting

One of the most important necessities of every plant in order to manufacture
its own food is the light. You have probably learned from your grade school
science teacher that plants need light in order to produce its own food, along
with the other factors such as water and air.

With respect to the conditions inside the greenhouse, it is important for the
plants to receive adequate amount of light in order to develop and grow on its
maximum state. This is especially useful during winter, where no amount of
natural light can be produced.

Hence, it is extremely significant to provide some artificial lights in order
to supply the lighting needs of every plant inside the hothouse.

Today, there are various kinds of lighting features that are built to suit the
individual needs of the plants being cultivated in greenhouses. Choosing a
specific greenhouse light can be very tricky, especially if you are not yet
familiar with it.

Hence, it is so important to consider some factors when buying a greenhouse
light. Here is the list that you can use when buying the items:

1. Type of greenhouse

Before buying a greenhouse light, try to consider first the kind of greenhouse
that you have. Is it a commercial greenhouse or a personal one?

Knowing what type of greenhouse that you have could easily teach you what kind
of light to choose. For instance, if you have a commercial greenhouse, it is
best that you buy a light that is created to endure humid, adverse conditions
that are commonly found in commercial conservatories.

2. Length of use

It does not necessarily mean that when you buy lighting fixtures you will
absolutely use them 24 hours a day. The duration of light use in greenhouses
are based on "photoperiods." This means that the period, in which, the light
will be used may vary. For example, one may use lighting for a "12-hour
photoperiod." This means that within 24 hours cycle, lighting will be used for
12 hours and 12 hours with no light at all.

Hence, it is important to buy a light that will provide the necessary benefits
even if it will take longer hours of use.

3. Purpose

Buy a light that will focus more on your desired results. For instance, if you
want to motivate the growth of your flowering plants like the orchids, it is
best to buy a light that will put more weight on the "spectrum colors" like the
red, blue and the "far-red wavelengths."

Besides, the colors of the light have notable effects on the plant growth. This
means that not all light can actually produce the desired results.

4. Electrical efficiency

Even if lighting can provide most of what your greenhouse needs, it is also
important to take note of the efficiency of the product. This means that you
should better opt for those lighting products that provide optimum effect
without having to compromise the amount of energy that they consume.

It would be better to buy lights that are efficient but can still conserve as
little energy as possible.

5. Heat

Do remember that lighting should only be used where it is needed. This goes to
show that any light that emits more than what it is needed for is actually
worthless. Simply put, a light that emits more heat as it releases light is of
no use. Too much heat on plants will trigger its death. For example, it is not
a good idea to buy an incandescent bulb because it gives out too much heat.

Indeed, lighting is such an important factor in a plant's development. Hence,
it is very important to consider the kinds of light to be used in your
greenhouse in order to ensure the quality of plant growth that you want to
achieve.

Greenhouse Kits for Plant Enthusiasts

Greenhouses are used for cultivating different kinds of plants. From fruits,
vegetables, flowers and other ornamental plants, these are now grown in
greenhouses. A greenhouse uses the concept utilized by Earth to maintain heat
inside. It is a structure which uses electromagnetic radiation to be able to
capture heat and keep it inside to make the environment more conducive for
plant cultivation.

Greenhouses are usually made up of plastic or glass materials. It heats up the
plants by acting like a blanket for them. The warmed air is retained by the
walls and the roof of the green house.

The plastic or glass used in greenhouse construction is specifically made to
trap the energy into the greenhouse. The greenhouse prevents convection and
thus prevents the heated air from escaping outside.

There are several requirements in effective plant cultivation in greenhouses as
compared to plant cultivation outdoors. Special care is needed to be able to
prevent pests and diseases from infesting the plants. The greenhouse's
temperature should also be monitored so as to give the plants the optimum
conducive environment for their growth.

In this light, the right greenhouse supplies should be availed by interested
cultivators. There are a lot of greenhouse kits available out there for people
who would want to put up their own greenhouses for commercial plant cultivation
or as a plain hobby.

Here are some of the available greenhouse kits that are out in the market:

Sunshine

These are greenhouse kits which are framed by fantastic redwood. They have
polycarbonate insulations for covering the plants. Another good thing about the
sunshine greenhouse kits is that they provide a lot of space because they have
very tall frames (usually 10 feet tall). They are also very easy to install
because the insulated polycarbonate insulations are already built into the
frame. Their prices rage from a thousand dollars to around four thousand.

Cross Country

These are high quality greenhouses which have several modified options which
are available. They are framed with aluminum which provides sturdy support for
the greenhouse. They also come with doors with screened windows and an
automatic ventilation system. They are priced from $2,500 to $30,000 dollars.
They can be quite expensive but the price speaks of their quality.

Little Greenhouse

These are greenhouses which provide economy for people who would want to engage
in plant cultivation. These kits come with structures which are protected from
ultra-violet rays. They also include bench setup and an exhaust fan. They come
with a PCV frame, a four millimeter polyethylene covering made up of plastic.
They provide optimum environments for plant cultivation. These are recommended
for beginners.

Juliana

Juliana greenhouse kits are very popular for their rust-free frames which are
made from aluminum and a poly-carbonate, twin-wall covering which provides
cultivators with a long time of enjoyment at a very affordable price. There are
many models under this kind of greenhouse kit. They come in very affordable
prices- as low as 65 dollars.

Portable

These are very inexpensive greenhouse kits which are very easy to assemble and
disassemble. They are recommended for seasonal gardening because one can easily
put them up and store them away when they are no longer needed. They come with
one of the most durable coverings which are made with plastic film. Their
structures are made of steel. They also come in with a build-in door and a
screened ventilation windows. They also have storage bags. They are available
for the price of 300 dollars.

Hobby Gardener

These greenhouse kits are covered by original "snapglas" panels. These are
panels which have the clarity that is offered by glass and the sturdiness and
durability possessed by polycarbonate. They are also equipped with barn-like
roof which provides more room for plants. They also include hinged-doors,
hinged-roof and ventilated walls. They are priced at around a thousand to two
thousand dollars.

There are many kinds of greenhouses for different kinds of enthusiasts out
there. One must be keen in choosing the kit that suits his needs and
preferences. Moreover, he must be able to know which greenhouse will provide
the optimum environment for the growth of the plants which he will be
cultivating.

A Greenhouse Kit for Both Amateur and Professional Gardeners

A greenhouse kit is a great way for both amateur and professional gardeners to
enjoy year round gardening. Greenhouses are garden structures designed to
cultivate plants by harnessing the heat generated by the electromagnetic
radiation coming from the sun. The heat is retained within the structure's
walls and roof to heat the plants and the soil within it.

Greenhouses can be used to effectively farm various plants such as flowers,
fruits and even vegetables within its controlled environment wherein humidity,
condensation and light are the key factors that contribute to its
effectiveness. These structures are generally freestanding however other
designs may also be joined to the house or built in a lean-to manner.

The size of greenhouses also varies depending on the purpose of the structure.
Miniature greenhouses may simply be a window extension that can be used for
growing herbs while massive greenhouses can be as wide as block and usually for
business purposes.

In previous years, greenhouses were generally custom-built with a huge price
tag attached to them. But today greenhouse kits have become readily available
and affordable for the enjoyment of every amateur or professional gardener.

Things to Consider When Before Buying a Greenhouse Kit

Ready-to-build greenhouse kits have become quite popular as they offer an
extensive selection of sizes and styles. These kits give a gardener the
opportunity to adapt the structure to the design of their garden in order to
fit and match. Before choosing and buying a greenhouse kit, it is important to
consider a number of factors in order to be able to select the ideal kit.

It is important to take into account the type of plants to be grown within the
structure as well as the type of gardening to be done along with the climate of
the region where the greenhouse structure would be assembled.

For instance, a gardener interested in planting within a wintry climate should
consider a greenhouse kit that has a double-walled area that is securely
sealed. On the other hand, a gardener that wants to start seed planting should
think about getting a greenhouse kit constructed with plastic frames and
sidings.

Greenhouse Kit Details

Greenhouse kits come in various sizes ranging from 6 feet by 8 feet to 16 feet
by 24 feet. The styles of greenhouse kits are also varied to represent classic
conservatory designs that are marked by the typical gable roof with straight
eaves. Victorian style greenhouse kits are also available. This style features
either a rustic look with wooden frames or a gothic vaulted roof with curved
eaves.

In most cases, the frame of greenhouse kits are usually made either of plastic,
aluminum, galvanized steel, cedar or redwood. However, many favor plastic
greenhouse kits as they are more affordable and provide the smallest amount of
heat loss compared to other kits.

In traditional custom-made greenhouses the siding is built with either a double
or triple wall of glass in order to keep the heat trapped within. Greenhouse
kits use mainly plastics that provide excellent insulation and at the same time
unbreakable. Commonly plastics used are polyethylene, polycarbonate and
fiberglass.

Greenhouse kits are generally easy to put together as the parts are already
pre-drilled and pre-cut. There are even greenhouse kits available that use a
snap-together frame for easier assembly. A reasonably priced greenhouse kit may
possibly include aluminum or galvanized steel frames, a see-through plastic
cover with a door incorporated into it.

The door may either be a zippered side-flap or a roll-up depending on the
design of the greenhouse kit. The typical ceiling height of a greenhouse kit is
about 8 feet to allow for headroom of the gardener. There are times however when
a greenhouse kit may not include certain items such as shelving, flooring or
anchor system.

Although some greenhouse kits provide the owner with information on how to lay
down a foundation for the hothouse using any of these weather resistant
materials like wood, poured concrete or even concrete patio stones. The purpose
of a level-flooring surface is to provide good drainage as well as hinder wind
damage for the structure. Reasonably priced floor-framing kits are readily
available at gardening stores that also sell greenhouse kits.

How Does Greenhouse Humidification Work?

Each plant may grow with the changing condition of greenhouse humidity and
temperatures because of the different factors composed by a greenhouse
environment. Temperatures are partially light in quantity. It can vary in the
density and humidity of the air, which transforms to moist. The warmth and the
changing climate condition that may occur to the greenhouse could be great
factors in a plant's growth.

Heat my transfer to the plants' leaves and stems. This happens only when the
greenhouse adapts to certain humidity parameters that are responsible in the
phototropical and photosynthetic plant activities. The heat transfer that is
responsible for maintaining energy balance in the greenhouse is very essential
to the plants' canopy.

The growth of various plants such as vegetables, exotic fruits, flowering
plants, orchids, and other green plants in the greenhouse need their own
warming and cooling depending on certain climate changes. A climate change
influences the humidity and temperature in a greenhouse. Other gardeners that
may not be knowledgeable in the parameters of air temperature and humidity may
encounter short and unhealthy plants.

If a greenhouse has an unbalanced state of humidity, it could be very hard to
produce the right amount of humidity needed by the plants. Plants have their
own way of adjusting to the quantity of light intensity and other aspects that
involve greenhouse climates. The optimal level in the greenhouse is also
created by the photosyntetical occurrence in plants where the sunlight plays a
very big role in the greenhouse humidity.

Sunlight or the solar radiation with energy parameters that influences a
plant's growth is one factor that may affect the greenhouse humidity. The
intensity of the solar radiation spectrum can directly and indirectly affect
the energy balance that is essential to a plant's life process. The energy
needed may depend on the solar radiation intensity that enters the greenhouse.
A life process could show active or inactive characteristic levels of
adjustments that may increase or decrease their development and growth.

The soil or plant base temperature may also influence the humidity in the
greenhouse. Heat transfer on the ground soil is needed by the plants to acquire
the needed temperature in the greenhouse. Many experiments prove that the
optimal soil temperature affects the life process of plants especially of those
naturally grown by organic fertilizers. The light intensity and humidity factors
can also influence soil temperature because of the absorbed heat and warmth on
the leaves and stems.

Lighting, humidification, and cooling systems are important aspects that may
create different effects on a greenhouse. Evaporative coolers play big roles in
sustaining the humidity and temperature. There are units that offer warmers and
humidifiers from cool air to a maximum torrent of humidity, which is operated
by a three-speed fan motor.

When it is fully used in its maximum potential to a large greenhouse, it can
totally control the air moisture in a constant time interval. Other units that
are essential in the humidity of the greenhouse are the directional airflow
louvers, which maintain the flow of the air to create a humidifying,
ventilation, and cooling.

Coolers that are available in the market are designed to have better
significance in a greenhouse. There are some that are modeled with heavy-gauge,
zinc-coated metallic louvers and cabinets that feature a zinc-chromate. This is
also furnished on baked-on enamels. They also have non-vibrating frame
supports, durable fan-swings, and three-speed motors. These evaporating
elements are built with three unattached pads.

Lighting and humidifiers are needed by most plants to live. The sunlight and
humidity that is received by the leaves and stem cells create a balance
distribution of Carbon Dioxide from the greenhouse humidity. This developmental
cycle from the plants and to the elements of the life process is called
photosynthesis. Sunlight and proper temperature is needed in order to supply
photosynthesis in the plants.

The needed sunlight depends on the season of the year. Too much exposure to
sunlight can be experienced during summer seasons. It is better to have cooler
systems and humidifying systems to maintain a balanced temperature inside the
greenhouse. This process also goes well during winter seasons where sunlight
could be scarce. The need to have heating systems and proper ventilation should
also be considered to have a balanced life process in the greenhouse.

Warming It Up in the Greenhouse

Planting is some places can only be done in during a certain season. Some
species can't survive the cold or hot climate which prompts farmers to rotate
this during certain times of year. It is also the reason why some goods such as
fruits and vegetables that are ripe during the autumn months can hardly be seen
during the summer.

Given that there is a demand for a certain product throughout the year,
scientists and farmers have come up with another way to make these grow. These
people have decided to grow the crops in greenhouses with the use of a heater
to keep it warm.

These machines do not take up the much electricity which only consumes 1.8 to
4.8 watts. It might take more than 2 heaters to do the job in each structure
which really depends on the size of the greenhouse.

Since certain plants grow well at certain temperatures, the farmer should make
sure that it is set at all times to maintain the growth of the crops. Since the
machines are expensive, the person has to choose the ideal heater that is within
the budget that can perform the required task.

Some other things to consider are the types of plants to be grown in the
greenhouse, the existing weather conditions and the how often will planting be
done.

There are many kinds of heater in the market.

The first is the electric heater. This is good for hobbyists because of the
small area that is used to grow plants. This small machine does not discharge
anything into the air making it safe to use.

These machines are not big and can be placed inside the enclosed structure.
Some models are stationary while there are other models that can be suspended
on the ceiling.

Another is the gas heater. These machines can be powered using propane and
natural gas. This requires the person to have ventilation inside the greenhouse
to let the air go out of the structure. This type of machine is costly since the
gas consumed has to be refilled from time to time.

The paraffin heater is another type that is used for the greenhouse. Just like
the gas heater, it emits smoke into the air which requires the person to have
ventilation preferably in the form of a smoke stack on top.

There are other ways to fuel heaters such as using coal and gas. Though these
are non-renewable resources, these are the best so far until better ways of
generating heat are invented.

The use of heaters in greenhouses allows the farmer to plant almost anything
even during the coldest times of year. This gives the people an ample of supply
of goods that can be purchased anytime and provides good business to farmers.

Given that farming is not an easy task; the person has to find the right kind
of heater to do the job. To ensure that the plants are at the right
temperature, a thermometer must also be installed inside the greenhouse.

The use of heaters can only go so far. For this reason, the farmer has to
choose the right type of panels to ensure that the heat does not leave the
greenhouse. This can be done by using proper insulation that is essential to
plant growth.

Seasons change four times of the year and it is for this reason that farmers
must be prepared to handle any situation. The use of heaters and a proper
ventilation system should be more than enough to give the crops the proper
heating and oxygen it needs to grow.

The right heater that is ideal for the plants should be something that a person
who does this as a hobby or commercially must have. This will ensure that
flowers, fruits or vegetables may produce the same quantity at any time of the
year.

There are many suppliers that can provide the right heater to the individual.
Those who live in farms shouldn't have any problems. For individuals who need
this at home, the best place to go to will be the gardening shop that carry a
wide range of supplies and accessories to choose from.

However, if these are still expensive, then perhaps checking online can give
the person better value for money.

All You Have to Know About Greenhouse Heaters

Temperature changes several times a day. And during the night, it could really
drop to a low level that may not be healthy for plants. Thus, to keep the
temperature at a suitable level for a successful plant growth, greenhouse
heaters are needed. In choosing the right greenhouse heater, you must take into
consideration not only the capability of having a good temperature during cold,
winter nights, but also the costs to be incurred in installing and running it.

Kinds of Greenhouse Heaters - Electric heaters. This kind of heater is most
suitable for smaller greenhouse structures. Electric heaters can efficiently
maintain specified temperature levels. These do not produce any fumes and there
is no further need for ventilation when these heaters are being used.

- Gas heaters. Since these heaters are fuelled either by natural gas or bottled
ones, they can be less efficient that the electric heaters. Their waste products
due to combustion are discharged into the greenhouse and ventilation is required
when they are in use. Also, these heaters should be placed in a safe location
and need constant monitoring and replacement.

- Paraffin heaters. This kind of heaters is the most basic among the three.
Paraffin heaters need constant refilling and wick-trimming. They also need fuel
to run, thus, fumes are again discharged into the greenhouse and would need
ventilation. However, paraffin heaters can reduce the risk of frost damage and
act as emergency standby.

Heater Mounting - Hanging. These heaters are mounted directly to the ceiling or
hung from it. It is advantageous to use because of less floor space consumed.
They should just be hung high enough as to not be an obstruction.

- Wall. This type of heaters is mounted directly to the wall and vent towards
the outside of the greenhouse. No floor space is required but the area in front
of them should be clear.

- Floor. This type is not mounted as they have their own stand and can be
placed anywhere on the floor of the greenhouse. That is the disadvantage of
this type because it occupies a lot of space.

Heater Combustion - Open. This kind of heater uses air inside the greenhouse
for combustion. As long as the air does not have contaminants in it, this will
work just fine. Flammable liquids should not be placed near an open combustion
heater, though, because its burner is not sealed.

- Separated. A gas heater uses this kind of combustion mechanism wherein it
uses the air outside the greenhouse for combustion. Its burner is also sealed
to trap all the air in from outside of the greenhouse. The exhaust pipe is run
to the outside of the structure.

- Sealed. This kind is a lot similar to the separated combustion type. The
burner is completely sealed inside and there is no access to air inside the
building. Sealed combustion heaters use direct vent both for exhaust and intake.

Heater Vents - Unvented. Being unvented heaters, combustion-produced gases are
directly released to the heated area. Unvented heaters are only for temporary
use because of the sensitivity of some plants.

- Gravity. The exhausted air from this type of heater should rise through the
pipe and released outside, thus, the vents should be vertical. The air expelled
must be replaced by outside air.

- Power. These power vented heaters have a blower that pushes air through the
pipe and outside the structure. The vents may be arranged vertically or
horizontally, and the vent pipes are smaller making it more efficient.

- Direct. This kind of venting is special to sealed combustion types. It has
only one vent pipe with both the inlet and exhaust; one pipe is inside the
other. The amount of air that leaves the pipe is the same amount that it pulls
as intake. There is no additional air outside needed to replace the expelled
air.

Another thing to consider in a greenhouse heater is its output range or the
measure of the heat output. You can ask your nearby greenhouse store to check
out your needed output range based on the area of your greenhouse and other
factors. There are also web sites that can do the computation for you.

There are definitely several kinds of greenhouse heaters to choose from. For
you to decide on which one to purchase, it is best to first do an assessment of
your current greenhouse structure and its needs. You can also ask advice from
experts in building and maintaining greenhouses for better results.

Gardening inside the Greenhouse

Most homes have a front lawn or a backyard with trees and grass. The person can
easily make a few changes then it will be better than it was before. A good
hobby that some individuals have taken in the spare time is gardening and the
same thing can be done if one decides to have a greenhouse.

The first thing that needs to be done is assess the area where the greenhouse
will be. If there is not that much space in putting a free standing version,
then perhaps attaching the greenhouse to the home is a good idea.

The first thing to be done is to measure the area. The greenhouse should have
enough sunlight for the plants and shade when it gets too hot. This can be done
by making some observations at different times of the day.

The home may be affected by the cold climate or the heat during the summer.
Preparations need to be done to install and heater and a ventilation system
which could to counter the threat and make the flowers grow in the greenhouse.

The kind of heater to be used for a greenhouse can be powered by electricity
since the area isn't that big. Getting something like those that use oil or gas
may only be needed if the structure is expanded.

Both systems will provide the gardener sufficient oxygen and carbon dioxide
that is needed for the plant to grow.

Another way of giving plants enough space to grow is the type of panels used
for the greenhouse. Since plants need sunlight to grow, the type of material
used for the windows and ceiling are important.

Traditionally, glass can do the job but some studies have shown that too much
sunlight passes through and kills the plants. To avoid this, panels made of
film, plastic or Plexiglas is much better.

The greenhouse should also use the ideal kind of flowers that will survive the
climate. The person can ask the sales representative at the gardening store or
look at the label posted on each plant before buying and bringing it home.

When everything is ready, the person has two options. The first is draw the
design then go to a supplier who can do that or go directly to the contractor
to make a drawing then have it made.

If the person doesn't have an idea where to start, one can look at how the
other people who do this as a hobby in the neighborhood do it. The person can
also visit the arboretum or look at gardening magazines just to get an idea
what kind of greenhouse is best for the home.

The soil in that part of the house should be prepared before construction is
under way. Basically, this is just to enclose the area so it is alright if
there are plants in the site already.

The greenhouse can later be improved to not only have soil but have water at
all times that will enhance the plants growth. This technique which is done by
farmers to increase crop production is called hydroponics farming.

When the gardener, has enough money, soil can be changed to water channels that
release water mixed with nutrients to the plants. There are various ways to do
this and doing some research on the way this can be implanted will get the
gardener moving on the right track.

Another thing needed to properly work in the greenhouse is having the right
equipment. This can easily be purchased at the local gardening store and these
should be stored properly when not in use.

It will be a good idea to have this locked to prevent children from playing
with it and accidents from happening.

Gardening doesn't always have to be done by a professional. The person can do
in a creative way to make the house stand out. By doing some research first
before having it installed, the place will really look great when construction
has been completed.

By knowing the proper techniques in maintaining the greenhouse and planting the
right flowers, this place will be another room that will really make the
individual feel at home.

Fertilization of Greenhouse Crops

Greenhouses are aids in the cultivation of crops. They are very effective in
extending the growing seasons of certain crops and in protecting the crops from
various adverse conditions which are brought about by weather conditions and
predators. They enhance the capabilities of nature and of man to cultivate
crops.

Indeed, greenhouses have become effective tools for man to properly cultivate
crops. However, the proper growth and development of the crops are still in the
hands of the cultivator. There are many factors that should be considered in
maintaining a greenhouse. The temperature, humidity, ventilation and shading
are some of the factors that need attention when handling a greenhouse.

One of the most important factors in maintaining crops inside a greenhouse is
fertilization. Maintaining the adequate amount of nutrition is needed to
successfully sustain the growth and development of the crops inside a
greenhouse.

More often than not, greenhouse crops are classified as heavy feeders. Heavy
feeders are usually defined as crops which require large amounts of
fertilizers. However, knowing that the crops are heavy feeders is not enough.
Knowing the ratio if the elements that go into the fertilizers is as important
as knowing the amount to be applied to the crops.

Recent research has proven that the nitrate, nitrogen and ammonium balance will
affect the growth of plants. In the State of Texas, cultivators are advised to
use less than 50% of nitrogen in the form of ammonium. High amounts of ammonium
in turn can cause foliage burn due to toxicity.

Application

Most of the greenhouse crop cultivators today use a liquid feeding program to
be able to supply nutrients to the crops. This kind of nutrient supply program
can be supplemented by slow release of granular fertilizers to the crops.

The frequency of the application of fertilizers can influence the growth of the
plants as well. Most often, it is deemed important to be able to supply
different nutrients during the peaking periods of the vegetative growth or
reproductive growth of the crops. It is generally accepted that the best
application system for fertilizers is a constant one. Constant feeing may be
modified to be able to suit the needs of the plants. High soluble salts may be
feed to the plants every other application.

The balance between nutrients should be maintained by the cultivator so as to
avoid the occurance of deficiencies and toxicities in the plants.

Selection

There are many fertilizers which offer complete nutrients that are needed by
the plants. These fertilizers contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus which
are the most essential elements that are needed by growing crops. There are
also fertilizers which are custom made for different crops.

Nutrients

Here are some key facts about the different basic elements that are needed by
greenhouse crops:

Nitrogen- There are many different sources of nitrogen which can be used to
supply the nutrient to the plants. Ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and
calcium nitrate are some of the sources of nitrogen. If one is to supply
nitrogen to the crops, he should not supply more than 50% of it in ammonium
form.

Potassium- This is an essential element in the water utilization of the plants.
The most common source of potassium for plants is the potassium nitrate.

Phosphorus- Phosphorus is needed by the plants for their growth. It is usually
supplied in large amounts. However, one must always be cautious in supplying
phosphorus in large amounts for it may make other nutrients insoluble. This
will make these nutrients impossible for plant absorption. The most common way
of supplying phosphorus is through phosphoric acid or super phosphate.

Other nutrients

There are other nutrients that are needed to be able to provide complete
nutrition to the crops. Plants need calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc,
copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum and chloride. Some of these are supplied
through the growing medium but the others are supplied through supplemental
application.

Both the primary and secondary nutrients should be incorporated to the feeding
program. There are commercial blends which can suit the needs of the crops that
are being cultivated in the greenhouse.

One must be able to monitor the amount and the balance of the different
nutrients that are supplied to the crops in the greenhouse. Only through proper
nutrition will the plants achieve their optimum growth and development
potential. Quality crops can be harvested if one knows how to get around the
nutritional requirements of the crops.

How To Fertilize Greenhouse Plants

A plant newly potted will need some time so that it can grow new roots in order
to absorb or take in the fertilizer that you will apply.

How you fertilize and what type of fertilizer you use is dependent on what
kinds of plants or crop you grow in your greenhouse, because every crop has a
particular requirement with regards to nutrients, and this requirement should
be met.

For house plants, it is usually much easier to fertilize a large group
together. Generally, plants need to be fertilized every one or two months while
there is rapid growth and all throughout the winter season, twice or once only.

Alternatively, you can apply the fertilizer more frequently when using a liquid
fertilizer diluted in water; this familiarizes certain plants that otherwise be
injured when you use a fertilizer of full. Generally half of the recommended
strength or dosage means that you use only half fertilizer in every plant.

Annual plants can flourish very rapidly and will require fertilization every
two weeks throughout their "short season". A few flowering plants such as the
Azalea must not be applied fertilizer while in their blooming or flowering
stage.

Most fertilizers that are generally used have considerable amount of nitrogen
(50 percent); they contain the preferred amount of nitrate f and are usually
labeled and identified as "peat-lite". This type is preferred and recommended
for greenhouse hobby use. The N-P-K ratio can be verified by reading the label
that is found at the fertilizer bag.

Fertilizers are usually applied at the amount or ratio of "200 ppm nitrogen"
fertilizer like "21-5-20" or "20-10-20". This is completed by continuous liquid
application; this ratio is the basis for mostly all pot grown "greenhouse
plants". The rate may be adjusted downward or upward depending on the plant
that is grown.

Any pre-mixed or ready mixture of fertilizer for the kind of plants that you
grow is acceptable; for most flowering and foliar plants. An N-P-K ratio
analysis that is similar to "1-2-1" will supply a balanced growth.

Soluble fertilizers can be conveniently applied and deliver faster results
compared to solid fertilizers or "slow release" gravel-like fertilizers. Just
apply the solution in a manner like you are watering your plants, however,
instead of water, use the fertilizer solution, making certain that the plant
soil is slightly moist before application. You should never apply fertilizer
solution onto plants with dry soil the roots can be injured by the fertilizer
chemicals; moist soil further dilutes the chemicals.

Apply fertilizers always following or much weaker dose than the suggested
dilution strength, and not stronger, as seedlings, newly established cuttings,
and developing plants will derive benefit from much weaker solutions; stronger
solution will only injure young and soft roots.

There are many injections or siphon devices available in the market to make
application of soluble fertilizers much easier; however, when you use them, be
certain that you install "backflow preventers" in order to keep the nutrients
or chemicals in the fertilizer solution from contaminating your water supply in
the home. Likewise do not water your plants with a "water-softened" water due to
its "high salt" content.

Recommended fertilizer products

A mixture of floramicro, florabloom and floragro, will enable you to combine a
wide range of many different nutrient blends or solutions in order to fulfill
the specific requirement of virtually any kind of plant that you grow, and at
different stages of the plants life.

This is accomplished by changing the mixture combinations as well as the
general strength of your solution. You can combine different ratios and
different strength of nutrients by adjusting the water quantity when blending
floragro, floramicro and florabloom.

Calcium Nitrate in Greenhouse Grade may be used in large scale growing. It can
be economical to buy fertilizers in 50-pound quantities. Calcium Nitrate in
Greenhouse Grade and Hydro-Gro are great combinations to achieve complete
nutrient blend.

Greenhouse plants need your attention. Check on them each day to be sure that
they are free from disease and pests and act immediately if there is any
problem. It is a wise idea to know the characteristics of each type of plant
that you grow in your greenhouse. Have fun taking care of your plants!

Greenhouse Designs: Tips on choosing the Best Design for Your Garden

For people who love to see the flowers bloom, the seeds that grow, and the
leaves that flap its wings as they dance along with the music of the wind,
then, having a greenhouse might be the next best thing that they could ever see.

A greenhouse is something worth a gardener's money. It is a precious jewel for
someone who is in love with nature. To have a greenhouse would mean to have
something that will keep the plants growing all year-round. It is also one way
to earn something out of the hobby that they have chosen to love.

So many nice things can be said abut greenhouses and yet, such a few people do
not realize the importance of greenhouses in the environment. They do not know
that as much as it can give profit to a budding gardener, it can also bring
about benefits to the environment in keeping the ecosystem alive and balanced.

Overall, greenhouses bring so much joy, gratification, and benefits that
sometimes, businesspeople price their creations a little more over the edge.
Some businesses say it is because the materials used in making greenhouses are
not that cheap, while others say it is because of the process of manufacturing
the product itself that made it plush.

Whatever the reasons are, buying a greenhouse can be very costly that is why it
is important to know the right way to buy the best greenhouse structure.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a greenhouse, but the most
important of all is the design. This is because the type of design that a
gardener will choose to have is based on his preference regarding the kind of
cultivation he wants to achieve.

Moreover, choosing a specific design of a greenhouse should also be patterned
according to the size of the backyard or the personal fondness of the gardener.
Hence, it would be better to know the different types of the greenhouse designs
before deciding on a particular structure.

The type of greenhouse designs are further classified into two: attached and
the freestanding.

Freestanding Structures

When a greenhouse is said to be freestanding, this means that it can stand
alone. This goes to show that this type of greenhouse design can be situated in
place apart from the house. This particular type of greenhouse design can be
placed in an area where it can get the most amount of direct sunlight.

Since it is separated, it is important to take note of the lighting,
electrical, water supply to be installed within the greenhouse.

Here are some of the available greenhouse designs for the freestanding
classification:

1. Juliana greenhouse

This particular greenhouse design is one good example of what freestanding
hothouses are. This design is perfect for the newbies. It also works best for
those who have inadequate or restricted space.

One of the best things about this design is that it does not have any silicone
or clips. Hence, it creates an impression of a fresh design appearance.

2. Hideaway design

From its name, this design has a vast space that it seems that it can be a nice
hideout if you wanted to be alone and get away from the stress of every day
living.

With its roomy area, this particular greenhouse design is usually made of an
8mm see-through polycarbonate, which has an ultra-violet coating "co-extruded"
into the pane. This kind of material tends to give off almost 82% "soft
dispersed light," which can trigger a greener structure of the plants.

Attached Greenhouses

As the name implies, attached greenhouses are miniature greenhouses that are
fastened to any part of the house. This means that it has its support coming
from that portion of the house where it is attached.

For a much better understanding, here is a list of some of the examples of
these greenhouses:

1. Even-span

Unlike the common attached greenhouses, this particular design can be
considered a "full-sized" edifice of its own. However, it still has its "one
gable end" fastened at a house or a building. This is usually done for better
stability.

Since it has only one gable end that is attached to a structure, it provides
more space for the plants, thereby, generating more circulation within the
area. Because of its space, it can even provide accommodation for two to three
benches.

2. Window-mounted

This particular greenhouse design is fastened in a window, usually either on
the east or the south side of the house. This design is specially made for
people who wish to grow a garden of their own but cannot afford to buy a huge
greenhouse or do not have the space suited for a big gardening venue.

Given all that, you have so many choices for your hobby. It is important to
note that in choosing a particular design for your greenhouse, keep in mind
that each design has its cost. So better opt for something that can give you a
good run for your money.

Choosing The Right Greenhouse Design

When one has a greenhouse, it means that one never has to quit gardening just
because of weather conditions. You can keep on propagating cuttings and seeds
and grow several plant varieties whatever the season.

When choosing a greenhouse, select a greenhouse style that matches the design
of your home and the layout of your garden. Weather conditions should also be
taken into account, as when your area experiences heavy snows during the
winter, most likely you will not select a flat or straight roof design, rather
a roof that will allow the snow to slide off easily.

The standard free-standing with curved or peaked roof greenhouse up to now is
very popular that can be found in so many gardens. The rectangular or square
shape permits for utmost growing space for plants, usually designed with
benches on the sides and at the back.

Lean-to or home or wall attached greenhouses designs are manufactured and used
when there is limited space at the backyard. These greenhouse designs are very
accessible and convenient for connecting much needed water and power supply.

When choosing a certain design in the market, the "sky's the limit". Small
solariums of various designs are widely available, medium and large sized
greenhouses and even prefabricated greenhouse kits for easy installation.

Here are some greenhouse designs:

1. Gable greenhouse. This design type usually is attached to a wall or garage
or any structure utilizing only half the gable's actual gable design.
Generally, this type has flat roof panels but slightly sloping and vertical
sidewalls. At times, the gable types of greenhouse are also attached to another
greenhouse employing the use of the end wall rather than sidewall.

2. Barn style greenhouse. This design type is, as the name suggests shaped
similar to a barn having wide roof and interior and with shorter walls. This
design is usually incorporated in a garden of country setting or theme or a
rustic garden appeal. This greenhouse design can be attached to another
greenhouse or can be beautifully constructed in a garden freestanding.

3. Dome greenhouse. This design is identical to a dome, meaning it is half a
ball and placed directly on land. This design can not be attached to a
structure and only can be constructed as a freestanding type of greenhouse, as
this design has no sidewalls. This type of greenhouse is a bit expensive to
make due to the many pieces of different glazing that generally are needed to
complete this design shape.

5. Gothic style greenhouse. This design type has a very historical gothic
appearance. The walls and roof are formed in such a manner as to create a
continuous form, allowing snow to fall down easily. This design type can be
either attached or freestanding, however it is usually not recommended attached
except when your home's design is very much similar to a gothic design.

6. Hoop greenhouse. This type of design is constructed with a metal pipe or PVC
to make the hoop's shape then enclosed with plastic covering. This type of
design is very cost effective on your initial purchase, but the maintenance of
continuously replacing the cover (plastic) can really add up.

One will find that the majority of greenhouses are manufactured from aluminum
material that is weatherproof and lightweight. Galvanized steel also is sturdy
and lightweight. Wood can also be used, but one has to make sure to use a
lumber that has been pressure treated such as redwood or cedar because these
are weather resistant.

As to whatever greenhouse design should you decide on, be sure to look for a
structure with the highest strength and stability and must have these features:

* Will be cable to endure extreme weather conditions, like very high winds and
snowfall build up.

* Should have the necessary support for grow lights, sidewall shelving and
hanging baskets.

* Should have an intricate detail of having hinged screened storm doors as well
as large side or individual roof vents.

* A wide selection of styles and sizes offered. Keep in mind that costs can
limit your greenhouse size, however extensions can later be added when needed
and when you already have enough budget for it.

* The door may be easily adjusted to be dropped or lowered into the
foundation's opening so to get rid of an elevated step when you feel that it is
needed.

Take note that often, most greenhouse owners complain of a limited space when
they built their greenhouse on a budget. So whatever design you choose, just
remember to get the largest that your money can buy.

How Greenhouse Climates Work in the Growth of Plants

There are geothermal heated greenhouses that support a plant's life process in
changing climate conditions. These heated greenhouses consume a large amount of
heat energy when it comes to gardening and agriculture. However, it should be
satisfying to
most gardeners because of the good results they provide to the growth and
development of a plant.

Most of these energy needs and geothermal conditioning are basically structured
according to the environmental and ecological orientation of most greenhouses.
The energy needs are adjusting based on the certain climate changes that may
occur from the different seasons of the year. They are built with light
materials that have minimal insulating features to create a stable climate
inside the greenhouse.

The external climate brings a different approach to an internal climate system
in a greenhouse. The necessity to have a greenhouse may occur during colder
seasons where there is limited sunlight. The main purpose of having an internal
climate system is to optimize the needed factors for plant growth. The internal
climate factor that will be obtained is the photosynthesis process involved in
environment and plant reactions.

Photosynthesis is the reaction process between the plants and the sun's solar
radiation. This means that carbon dioxide is supplied by sunlight to create a
life process for the plants. There is a certain amount of climate heat that is
calculated to designate the needed supply for lighting and heating. The
greenhouse climate is essential in calculating the needed heat and coldness to
the demand of the greenhouse.

The existence of heating and humidifying systems can adjust to the conditions
of any external climate changes. Some processes that take part to the
continuous energy balance maintained in any greenhouse is the water transport
through the soil, plant canopy, and air. The formation of chlorophyll affects
the entire internal climate. This happens because of the effect of heat
transfer, solar light, oxygen and carbon dioxide cycle.

Here are some factors in valuing each aspect of parameters that is important to
the climate condition and character of the internal climate.

1. The air movement in the greenhouse may influence the needed heat transfer on
the air composition to the plant canopy. It also involves the process of water
transfer to the plant canopy. This process will sustain the energy balance
needed by the plants to continue a healthier life process in the greenhouse.

2. The heating installation is essential for the proper distribution of
temperature inside the greenhouse. It also allows a controlled air movement to
maintain the humidity and moisture in air characteristics that is affected by
the external climate changes.

3. The water transport in the greenhouse also plays a big role in sustaining
the photosynthetic process in the environment the plants. The roots have
aspects pertaining to cultivation base that offers a needed amount of water,
which is also needed in humidity and greenhouse temperature.

4. The air temperature affects the whole energy state inside the greenhouse. It
is the connective heat supplied in the different aspects of the environment. The
characteristic of the air movement in the greenhouse influences the leaves and
stems of each plant.

5. The light factor is very essential in producing photosynthesis reaction to
the plant's canopy and to the formation of carbon dioxide that serves a big
role in the respiration of the plants. Its necessity takes significance on the
plants' development and life process inside the greenhouse. Solar radiation
provides instant intensity of light spectrum to supply the needed warmth and
heat energy during colder seasons.

6. The soil or ground base temperature affects the condition of the climate
inside the greenhouse as well. The significant parameter involves the transfer
of heat energy directly to the ground structure, which includes the roots and
the water flow system that partakes in the plants' growth.

7. The carbon dioxide concentration also takes part in the life process inside
the greenhouse. The normal average of carbon dioxide concentration in the
external air atmosphere is 0.03%. This is important to maintain a balanced
temperature and humidity density in a greenhouse.

It is important for a greenhouse to have installed systems to create an
environment that will provide continuous life process for plants in changing
climate conditions. A well-planned greenhouse climate should assure a person of
having proper distribution of light, temperature, water, carbon dioxide, and
other essential factors needed for every plant to grow.

What are Greenhouse Accessories and How Do They Benefit the Plants?

Enhancing your greenhouse is not as simple as how you enhance your decorations
or designs at home. In fact, it is entirely different thing compared to
whatever enhancements that you do, whether at home, in your work station, in
your backyard, etc.

Hence, when it comes to greenhouses, obtaining some accessories is not actually
your ordinary way of creating a good impression that you can brag about with
your friends. To obtain some greenhouse accessories is to actually buy things
that will be of good use to your greenhouse.

But before we narrow down to the accessories that you need to purchase for your
greenhouse, you should know first the meaning of greenhouse.

Basically, greenhouse is a structure where plants are nurtured and developed.
While other s call it hot house or glasshouse, this is because a greenhouse, is
in fact, made of glass. Sometimes there are greenhouses that are made of plastic.

The main reason why greenhouses are built with this kind of materials is to
allow the heat coming from the sun to enter the house so as to warm up the
plants, soil, and other items that are innate inside the structure. The heat
that sets inside the greenhouse does not easily escape the place. It stays
inside the structure, thus, warming the air inside.

Because taking care of plants in a greenhouse is just the same as nurturing
them in a typical garden, there is not so much of a secret that needs to be
divulged here. However, not all of the accessories that are being used in a
typical backyard gardening are the same as that of the items used in
greenhouses.

Hence, it is important for every person, who wishes to set up his or her own
greenhouse, to know the different greenhouse accessories that must be purchased
and utilized inside the hothouse.

Here is a list of the necessary greenhouse accessories:

1. Temperature gauges

Since the heat that seeps inside the greenhouse is not instantly dispersed or
released because it continues to hold on to the walls or ceilings of the
hothouse, it is important to keep track of the available temperature within the
area.

With the temperature gauges, you can easily detect the available temperature
inside the greenhouse. With this device set up inside the place, you can easily
spot any drastic changes in the temperature inside.

Most of the temperature gauges have large dials, like that of a clock. In this
way, you can easily see the available temperature reading.

2. Thermostats

For optimum temperature control within the greenhouse, it is important to use a
thermostat in order to control the amount of temperature within the area.

Moreover, thermostats are specially designed to promote ventilation in the
conservatory. In this way, the hotness or warmth within the area is managed.

3. Humidistat

Controlling temperature within the greenhouse is important, but where
temperature matters, so does humidity. This is because when a certain place
gets hot, the surrounding air gets humid or damp. Hence, it is also important
to control the amount of moisture inside the hothouse.

This kind of device is made available for people who wish to control the
hotness inside while keeping the moisture lock in such a way that it provides
enough moisture for the plants. Too much heat can dry up the air. Hence, it is
important to use this device to detect if there is some moisture that is still
present in the air.

4. Lighting accessories

Most of the lighting system being used inside the conservatory is the "grow
light." This refers to the device that boosts the amount of light inside the
hothouse, especially when the amount of light is inadequate. This is usually
applicable and very useful during the winter season.

5. Light meters

Indeed, plants need light in order to grow and develop in a healthier way.
However, it does not necessarily mean that too much light is still healthy for
the plants.

Hence, it is important to keep track of the amount of light that is being fed
to the plants. With light meters, you can control the amount of light that you
think would best work for your plants.

These are just some of the many greenhouse accessories necessary in order to
boost the healthy development of the plants. Just keep in mind to consider the
condition of your greenhouse and the nature of the plants so as to determine
the right accessories that would best work for you and your plants.

Thinking of Buying a Used Greenhouse?

Farming is not easy especially if the person is just new to the business. Since
this individual is just new, it will be a great idea to do some research and
read up to be ready to face what lies ahead.

The greatest threats most farmers encounter are the pests, the diseases that
may affect the crops and the weather. Since people cannot control the weather,
then that person must focus on the other two.

The best way to do this if the person doesn't have the much money yet is to buy
a second hand greenhouse. This structure regardless if it is new or old is still
able to do the same function. That is to help the farmer grow crops in a
controlled environment and make money in this business.

The first thing the farmer should do is measure the area. By knowing how big is
needed, the person can then write it down for easier reference later on when
searching for the right greenhouse.

Another thing to think about is the kind of greenhouse that is dependent on the
type of weather in the farm. If the area always experiences strong winds, it
will be advisable to get the kind made of metal. This will keep the greenhouse
on the ground and will not blow over due to a storm.

Panels make up the other half of the greenhouse since it controls the amount of
UV light that enter. It. This should also be strong enough to withstand bad
weather if it also happens often.

The best kind to have around is the kind made of Plexiglas or plastic. This
will save the farmer money in the future since glass often shatters and breaks
after a storm.

Another thing that the farmer must anticipate aside from bad weather is the
cold winters and the hot summers. The second hand greenhouse should have a
heater. If there is none, then the person will just have to buy one.

This can be powered using electricity, gas or oil and the size of the machine
will depend on the size of the greenhouse.

Since it could get very hot in the summer, it will be a good idea to have
ventilation system installed. This will ensure that there is sufficient oxygen
and carbon dioxide for the plants to grow.

The farmer should also attend conferences and conventions about farming to keep
up to date on the latest trends. One technique that the farmer can use on the
second hand greenhouse is hydroponics farming.

This is done by planting and growing crops using water instead of soil. Tests
have shown that this is more effective than traditional farming done on the
soil since the plants are able to absorb nutrients faster in the form of
liquids.

The farmer will just have to buy certain systems that can mix the nutrients and
the water together that will make it easier for the plants to absorb.

In the absence of the farmer who might be busy doing other activities, a timer
can also be purchased which will release the liquids at the proper time.

Farming isn't something that people can earn money from monthly. It takes time
to plant the crops, let it grow, harvest it then sell it at the market. Buying
a second hand greenhouse may speed up the process since it enables the farmer
to grow it all year round.

By spending a little money since these greenhouses are a bit expensive and
looking at the long term goal, that farmer will be able to compete with those
who have been doing it for years.

A second hand greenhouse is only temporary until the farmer has enough money to
invest in a new one. Until that time, the farmer should be patient and work hard
because eventually, everything will fall into place.

The person can find these in the classified ads of the newspaper, browsing
through the internet and talking to fellow farmers and suppliers. By going
around these places first and doing a comparison, the person may just find the
right kind that will do the job until a new one can be constructed.

Essentials of a Solar Greenhouse

Plant breeding and plant production is a very productive hobby and livelihood.
It is good way to earn some living by producing high-valued crops. It is also a
good way of contributing to the environment. The best way to sustain this
endeavor is to get a solar greenhouse. Read on to learn the basics of the solar
greenhouse.

What Is a Solar Greenhouse?

The very purpose of any greenhouse is to collect solar energy whenever the sun
shining high. However, solar greenhouses serve a more specific purpose. It is
able to do more than collect the solar energy. The solar greenhouse is able to
store heat that can be used during nighttime, cloudy days or the cold season.
It provides adequate heat that the plants will need for their growth even
during the night time or the cold seasons.

The good thing about solar greenhouses is that there are choices to choose from
and to suit the needs of the owner.

They can stand alone. This is very ideal for big production greenhouses. The
freestanding ones are ideal for commercial production. These are used to
produce ornamentals or vegetables. They have two primary designs, the shed type
and the Quonset type.

The shed-type has a long axis running from the east to the west. It has a
south-facing wall glazed to collect maximum amount of the energy from the sun.
The north-facing wall on the other hand is very much insulated to avoid heat
loss. These features are what contrast a solar greenhouse from the ordinary
ones.

The Quonset type can sometimes look like an underground pit. This is a low-cost
greenhouse. It has a Quonset-shaped frame and looks like a tunnel. It has a
layer or two of plastic film. This can save as much as 40% of the heating fuel.

They can also be merely attached to the greenhouses, very ideal for backyard
use. The attached solar greenhouses are structures that form some sort of a
room protruding from a house. This is a good space for transplants or herbs.

Passive or Active

The solar greenhouse is classified into two. It can be the passive solar
greenhouse or the active. These two makes use of different resources, but still
serve a same purpose.

The Passive Solar Greenhouse

In some places, where colder seasons tend to endure longer, there may be a need
to resort to passive solar greenhouse, using gas or electric heating system.
This is the only way to protect the plants from getting too much cold. This is
very ideal for growers as it can still give way to so much productivity despite
the conditions. The use of heating systems for greenhouses to be cost-effective
is best utilized if there are high-value crops to be produced.

The Active Solar Greenhouse

The active solar greenhouse makes use of supplemental energy. It transfers the
solar heated air from the storage area to the other parts of the greenhouse.

Designing a Solar Greenhouse

Most would claim that managing and maintaining an ordinary greenhouse does not
differ much with the solar greenhouse. However, there are a number of ways that
they differ. These are significant distinctions.

Solar greenhouses, unlike the ordinary ones, have oriented glazing to get
utmost solar heat, even during winter. Its materials are designed to minimize
loss of heat. It uses heat storing materials. It also has insulation especially
useful when there is no sunlight. The solar greenhouse also depends heavily on
natural ventilation for cooling during summer.

Solar Heat Storage

This is one main feature in designing a solar greenhouse. To remain warm even
during cool nights, there must be sufficient amount of solar heat stored. One
common method used to store this energy is to put rocks or concrete directly
receiving the sunlight to absorb the heat.

Cinder block walls at the north side of a greenhouse are also used as good heat
storage. Dark-colored ceramic floorings can also be used to store the heat. Any
wall or flooring not used for heat absorption is supposed to be colored light.
This should be designed to reflect the heat and light and distribute it to the
plants.

The management of a greenhouse can also determine the amount of heat stored. A
greenhouse that is full of plants and structures can store heat easier compared
to an empty one. Composts can also complement the heat storage goal as they help
produce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Furthermore, the microorganisms in the
compost also contribute to the increase in plant production.

Some would rely on any structure that would resemble a greenhouse to
accommodate the plants. However, to be efficient and cost-effective, aim for
the optimum setting in your solar greenhouse.

Tips In Building Your Small Greenhouse

Building your own small greenhouse can be a very enjoyable and educational
experience as well as economical especially when you are clever with tolls.

Select a well-drained and level lot or ground for your greenhouse. If you will
be using it mainly during the summer for propagation of plants, then you can
situate it in a partially shaded area to reduce heat buildup.

The "north side" of your yard, with a big deciduous tree is an ideal location.
If there is no partly or moderately shaded area available, you can make use of
a white plastic or shade cloth for cover so as to regulate the extent of
sunlight that reaches your greenhouse interior.

If you will be using the greenhouse for beginning transplants or that you will
be growing plants till they mature, your greenhouse should be put up in an area
will it will have the highest sun exposure. Likewise, it must be situated where
there is good air drainage; do not construct your greenhouse in low areas which
are surrounded by buildings or woods. Consider also convenient water access and
electricity.

No matter what kind and greenhouse dimensions you choose, take into
consideration the time that you will have for managing the system.

Never be overly ambitious, as there are several new owners of a greenhouse that
often realize they can not spend sufficient time as they had believed they
would. However, it is not often true that a greenhouse requires continuous
attention.

The greenhouse environment may be sustained with very minimal maintenance using
automated controls that operates the ventilation, heating, humidity, artificial
lighting and watering, should there be no one to look after it. A hobbyist must
take into consideration installing automatic control system and begin with
plants that are easy to care.

There are many prefabricated greenhouses available in the market that you can
purchase, or your greenhouse maybe built out of very simple frames, though make
sure that only certified plumbers and electricians must install your automatic
systems.

Kits are widely available in various prices, materials and styles, but if you
are an eager "do-it-yourselfer", your small greenhouse may be affordably
constructed for a comparatively small amount of cash. Lean-tos type of
greenhouse can be built leaning against a garage or a house taking advantage of
the existing wall, though one has to consider sitting space.

The major advantage when you choose to purchase a greenhouse kit, many details
like how to deal with humidity, ventilation and leakage have been already dealt
with and considered in the pattern. Someone who is constructing the greenhouse
himself must consider all these so as to avoid problems that can result to
untimely failure and plant loss. Here are tips to help you build and design
your own small greenhouse.

1. Begin with an average design using materials that are easily available. Know
your preferences. Attractive greenhouses may be constructed using recycled
materials such as remilled wood, repurposed doors and window sashes.

2. Adapt to your area's climate so as to make particular solutions that depends
on your climate and location.

3. Plan a design that can use standard material sizes, most of which are
available in "multiples of 4".

4. Take into account your habits in gardening when planning the design. Growing
vegetables is very different from growing vegetables.

5. You can set up timers and thermostats to regulate the precise heat or light
needed.

6. Design and make a "back up" arrangement just in case of power failure or
harsh weather conditions.

7. When you will be using wood, you can build the greenhouse from cedar,
redwood or cypress, although regular wood treated and painted will also do.
Make sure that you use wood that is pressure treated for framing, as it is an
effective and economical.

8. Usually a greenhouse uses "glass-paned", but polycarbonate plastic,
fiberglass, plastic film and acrylic can be also used. Each of these materials
has its disadvantages and advantages, so you need to research well to decide on
one that is best for you.

9. Although permanent foundations are recommended to support the structure,
flooring is really not necessary. Flooring poured with gravel up to a few
inches deep will permit ample drainage. A flat stone or concrete walkway
between seating will provides steady footing.

10. You greenhouse design should have enough room for tall plants and plants
should only use half up to "two-thirds" of your greenhouse area and the rest is
reserved for benches and your work area.

Have fun!

Greenhouses On The Move

Greenhouses are becoming more and more popular to those people with "green
thumb." Even home gardeners are considering having one for their garden for the
benefits that it gives. Since full-sized, regular greenhouses can really be
expensive and costly to maintain, it may be impractical for these small home
gardeners to build one.

But do not fret! It is because there are new portable and mini greenhouses now
available for one to purchase and conveniently place in their gardens. These
portable greenhouses are ideal for those who want to start their growing season
early in the spring and extend it during the fall. These are also best for
overwintering crops and are inexpensive too.

Because these greenhouses are portable, they are light in weight and compact
for easy setup, taking down and transporting. Most of these portable greenhouse
kits can be set up in 30 minutes or even less. And because they are compact,
they can easily be stored in any convenient place in the garage or closet when
it is not yet time to use them.

What portable greenhouses do? Portable greenhouses, just like the traditional
ones, trap heat coming from the sun during the day through its covering and
keep the heat radiated by the soil during the night to keep the surroundings
warm enough for the plants. When a portable greenhouse is closed, it also traps
in moisture which helps reduce the frequency of watering the plants inside.

A portable greenhouse is ideal for early planting of seeds, protecting the
tender plants from the cold climate, starting perennial seeds in summer, fast
rooting because of the need to transplant, and growing different kinds of
plants that are not commonly grown in the area. This can also be used to
overwinter plants especially when heated.

Portable greenhouses becoming popular Gardeners are being continuously
interested in these portable greenhouses and increase in sales of these
products is evident. For one, these portables take no time to set up to get
them going right away. Taking them down when it is not time to use them is also
hassle-free. A greenhouse is not really needed to be up all year round
especially for small-time plant growers. Thus, mini and portable greenhouses
are ideal for their needs.

For first timers, portable greenhouse is also recommended since this will give
them the feel of having a real greenhouse before they consider building a real,
full-sized one. And these portables are also inexpensive and less costly to
maintain. This allows for them to jump-start their gardening career without
having to spend a lot of money to buy all those greenhouse supplies that are
required for the big ones. Also, installation is significantly quicker and
easier than permanent ones so no additional or advanced tools are required.

These portable greenhouses come in different shapes and sizes. It can be as
little as a small tent that fits only 2 plant shelves. There are some that look
like portable closets that are around 6 feet tall. And there are also bigger
ones as tall as 7 to 8 feet and are designed like a dome. These big ones can
fit up to 3 to 4 bigger shelves inside.

Gardening Tips Weather can really be unpredictable. So when a sudden cold snap
occurs, burlap sacks filled with leaves can be thrown over the sash on the
frame or covering during the night to prevent too much cold to get inside.
Bales of straw or hay may also be stacked against the frame.

For extreme summer sunlight protection, some sort of shading can be used to
prevent plant damage. Examples of covering that can be used as a shade are
knitted shade covers, old bamboo blinds, and lath.

Plants inside the greenhouse should also be watered as early in the day as
possible. This is to allow for quick drying of the soil before it gets dark.
Improperly managed drainage and keeping the soil wet can pose problems later on
and may not be a good gardening experience for beginners.

Whether you are a novice or is already an experienced gardener, having a
portable greenhouse may be beneficial to your gardening needs. Being able to
transport your greenhouse in a convenient and more strategic location is always
possible with this portable version. Maintaining and taking proper care for this
portable greenhouse is also not as costly and demanding than the permanent,
full-sized ones.

Portable Greenhouse -- An Excellent Alternative for Gardening

The portable greenhouse is an excellent alternative for garden enthusiasts to
indulge in their favorite activity given a small space and budget. A portable
greenhouse is a huge space saver that can help jump-start spring planting that
can be continued until the fall. Compared to traditional greenhouse structures,
the portable greenhouse is easy on the pocket. Assembly can be done in under an
hour plus no tools are required to put together a portable greenhouse. When
finished, a portable greenhouse can easily be taken apart and stored in a
closet, garage or basement.

Like most greenhouse kits, a portable greenhouse is designed to have screened
doors and screened vent opening that allow for optimal air distribution within
the structure. The vents can be opened in order to let outside air inside the
structure in preparation for transplanting the plants within to an outdoor
environment. When the vents are closed, the portable greenhouse become a water
proof structure that helps encourage and sustain humidity levels at a high rate
that is favorable to the growth of plants.

The construction of a portable greenhouse is virtually indestructible as most
commercial products make use of UV resistant material that is treated to
protect it against rips or tears. The openings are fastened together using
either Velcro snaps or zipper enclosure. Portable greenhouses that incorporate
a zipper design can be joined together using a unique interlocking
zipper-system that can create an extended handy hothouse to accommodate more
gardening.

The most common materials used for the walls of a portable greenhouse are
polycarbonate or polyethylene plastic while the roof and framing would be made
of aluminum. The prices of portable greenhouses start at $ 250 wherein a $ 400
structure would be about five by eight in dimension.

Extending the Planting Season with a Portable Greenhouse

Garden enthusiasts interested in extending and protecting the life of their
plants during winter will surely enjoy the benefits of a portable greenhouse.
Wintertime is the ideal season to bring out a portable greenhouse. Garden buffs
can easily put up the portable greenhouse in just a matter of minutes to
maintain the freshness and moistness of plants. It is a convenient and
transferable structure that can be set up. The structure is light enough to be
carried from one location to another by at least two people without damaging it.

A portable greenhouse can also be used during other seasons like summertime to
help maintain a steady growing environment for plants. In the fall, a portable
greenhouse can be used to intensify sunlight exposure since it is around this
time of year when the days become shorter.

A Portable Greenhouse vs. A Permanent Greenhouse

More and more garden enthusiasts are using portable greenhouses to suit their
gardening needs. Mainly because portable greenhouses are less expensive
compared to permanent structures. At the same time, not everyone has a spacious
backyard that can accommodate a full-scale greenhouse.

Although the term permanent may bring to mind a sturdier construction compared
to a portable greenhouse, many of the portable greenhouse structures sold in
the market today are made of heavy-duty materials that can hold out in any
season, rain or shine. In addition, the available sizes for a portable
greenhouse are as small as 6 feet by 10 feet and can extend to a considerable
size of 50 feet by 100 feet.

Types of Portable Greenhouse

Portable greenhouses are available in various styles to accommodate the
particular demands of every garden enthusiast. A lean-to style portable
greenhouse can be attached to the shed or garage of any home, which at the same
time can serve as an extension for the house like a sunroom.

Miniature portable greenhouses are also available for gardeners who have very
minimal space to accommodate a standard sized structure. These miniature
structures are generally collapsible and are ideal for small plants like
perennials and shrubs. Another version of a miniature greenhouse measures
approximately 3 feet and 5 inches by 1 foot and 11 inches. This box-size
portable greenhouse is ideal for vegetables and young plants during the early
spring.

The basic greenhouse structure is also available as a portable greenhouse. This
type of structure is still quite popular among garden enthusiasts who even
though have ample space to set up a permanent greenhouse prefer using a
portable structure that can easily be disassembled to free up the space for
other activities.

Advantages of Organic Hydroponic Greenhouses

Soil is very essential for a plant's life. Many people would wonder how a plant
would grow without the use of soil. Because of the many advances and new
technological discoveries, everything can be made in an instant such as food,
beverages, and even plants. There are new methods in these modern days where
they can grow the plants fast.

The use of the traditional method of agriculture, which consists of the slow
process of cultivating, watering, sowing, and attending to the plant everyday,
became less popular to those gardeners who have learned the methods of organic
hydroponics. Organic hydroponics lessens a gardener's effort of growing the
plant in an instant.

A person can grow his plants fast and can create more production by applying
the methods of organic hydroponics. Others have known this method to be
interesting in the first place, because it does not require the use of soil to
raise the plants. Some people also know this process as soil-less culture,
water gardening, soil-less gardening, and chemi-culture. For many farmers and
gardeners it is commonly known as hydroponics gardening. This methodical way of
gardening shows a simultaneous way of cultivating the plants without any
presence of soil.

The needed nutrients needed by the plants are directly supplied on their roots.
The organic chemical fertilizers must be in dissolved so that they will be fed
for the plants. The nutrients must be soluble enough so that the roots will
surely zip the solution. This is an amazing process that no soil is needed to
complement the liquid provided to the plants.

Many greenhouses are now used in applying organic hydroponic fertilizers to
their plants. However, there are still many greenhouse owners who do not want
to perform this method on their plants. They believe that it is ecologically
harmful and bad for the environment, but this could not be true according to
many experts who study the science of hydroponics. They insist that in this way
they could attend to the much needed demand of food supply nowadays.

This could be true because organic hydroponics allows the plant to quickly grow
healthier. A gardener should also be satisfied to the increase of his crop
production than his usual harvested crop. Here are some benefits and advantages
of using organic and hydroponics gardening.

1. A person may not worry if the water fed to the plants could be less or
enough for the roots.

2. He may not worry on the fertilizer or chemical solution applied to the
plants because the amount may not matter as long as the plants is able to
sustain its fast growth and production.

3. Many organic hydroponics greenhouses are used for many researches and
studies for plant and seed propagation using the science of hydroponics. They
seem to be valuable for many scientists that experiments about technological
advancements on how to improve more on plant organic fertilizers and chemical
solutions.

4. The space needed for holding the plants is now more convenient because he
may use lesser space to accommodate and attend to more plants than being more
concerned in potting and sowing or cultivating any soil.

5. Hydroponics gardening helps a person conserve more time and effort. It
relieves a person on laborious work in attending to the different needs of the
soil such as keeping the soil wet, sowing, weeding the soil, and nurturing the
soil.

6. Plants can grow together even if they are grown close to each other. Unlike
in traditional agriculture, the plants need more space because the soil creates
bigger roots for the plants. In hydroponics gardening the roots of the plants
grow smaller in contrast to a larger plant or crop.

7. A farmer can practice multiple cropping for he can harvest and plant the
crops at the same time. He may realize that he harvested more crops compared to
his previous harvest where he had used the normal way of planting.

8. He may be able to grow larger and healthier plants because of the organic
fertilizer supplied on the roots of the plants.

Nowadays, hydroponics gardening is widely accepted by many farmers and
gardeners. The presence of many organic hydroponic greenhouses is a proof to
its popularity and accessibility to the needs of plants and crops in this
modern time to accommodate more plant and crop production.

Greenhouse Ideal for Small Areas

A good greenhouse need not be always big and spacious. Although those
requirements are ideal for big plant growers and commercial greenhouses, those
who only have a small area for a greenhouse can also have their own by building
a mini version of a greenhouse.

Gardeners who are much into planting and growing crops but have a limited
garden space have an option to build a mini greenhouse. This mini greenhouse
can actually be placed anywhere such as on balconies, patios, backyards, and
decks as the typical size is just around 6 square feet. Though small, it also
provides the same benefits that the regular greenhouses do.

Mini greenhouses are also ideal for those are just beginners in the greenhouse
technology. Before venturing into building a big one, it is best to learn how
greenhouse works and know the different things needed to have an ideal growing
condition for the plants. And this learning process for beginners can be done
by starting with mini greenhouses.

A mini greenhouse can be used to start plant growth before the cold season in a
particular area. Once the weather gets better and warmer, these healthy plants
and crops planted inside the greenhouse can now be transplanted outside into
the garden. This will allow for early harvesting of crops. A huge selection of
seeds can also be planted in the greenhouse which makes planting a lot more fun
for hobbyists and gardeners.

There are a good variety of herbs and lettuce that can be grown healthily and
successfully in mini-greenhouses even for the whole year. Other delectable
vegetables such as Swiss chard, spinach, and kale can also be planted and grown
inside the mini-greenhouse. These would make for a great bowl of salad with
freshly-picked greens even during the cold season. That would be wonderful for
you and your guests.

Mini greenhouses are also useful with tender perennial plants. The greenhouse
can protect them from ice, snow and frost during the winter season. They can be
placed in plant containers and stay healthy inside the mini structure until
spring begins. Once the weather becomes friendly enough, these plants can then
be again transplanted into the garden outside for a much healthier environment.

The decorative plants commonly found inside the house can be given a healthy
change by placing them inside the mini greenhouse and placing them outside
during the summer months. This mini structure can offer tropical plants a humid
climate. Miniature greenhouses, just like the regular ones, maximize the amount
of sunlight and make the most out of the heat absorbed. It also provides the
needed protection of plants from rain, wind, destructive insects and other
pests in the garden such as rabbits.

Since mini gardens or greenhouses can be as light as possible because of their
small structure, they may be easily blown by wind or knocked over by pets and
kids. Thus, it is recommended that these small gardens be placed or mounted in
to a wall or garage than be a free standing structure. It is best to place them
in a location where there is enough sunlight but be safe from other outside
factors as well. There are also do-it-yourself greenhouse kits available in the
market that include complete instructions and step-by-step guide for a beginner
to build a mini greenhouse in not time. These kits can also be inexpensive and
can commonly accommodate up to three shelves.

So should one really choose to have a full-sized greenhouse or just go with a
miniature one? Even if a big space is available for a full-sized greenhouse,
having a small one may be more practical. If the main purpose of having a
greenhouse is to grow only a few plants, germinate seeds, or provide protection
during the colder season, having a mini greenhouse is just fine. Also, the cost
to maintain small greenhouses are significantly lower than the full-sized ones
because of the several factors that need to be maintained.

Thus, it is recommended that gardeners have a greenhouse, even a mini one. This
structure can prove to be a good investment and yield better results than just
doing the traditional gardening. And if one really finds happiness in caring
for plants and harvesting a few crops, greenhouse-gardening can definitely
offer lifetime enjoyment.

What you Get from Lean-to Greenhouses

Greenhouses nowadays seem to vary in their styles and sizes. He may find large
and small greenhouses in environmentally oriented communities. A person can
also spend more money to improve his greenhouse.

Most of the time greenhouses come in rectangular forms, rounded and most are
attached to the house. The size of the greenhouse does not matter as long it is
comfortably built with the allotted space for its place.

A greenhouse can be freestanding or attached to the house. Many also call those
greenhouses attached to the house as lean-to greenhouses. These types of
greenhouses are very popular to many gardeners who patronize greenhouse
gardening. A gardener may build a lean-to greenhouse or a freestanding
greenhouse in his own backyard. However, they are different in the aspect of
their structure.

A freestanding greenhouse is an independent structure built away from his
house. The need to have a main source of heating systems and watering systems
are very essential in this type of greenhouse. It may also require its own
electricity to power the lights and automated systems on the greenhouse.

Freestanding greenhouses may require a person to spend more money considering
the many expenses and high cost materials to build a freestanding greenhouse.
On the other hand, a lean-to greenhouse is literally defined to be a greenhouse
attached directly to a person's house. It has the advantages of saving more
space to a person's lot and all greenhouse systems are directly supplied on his
house.

He may get instant water, and heating from the lights supplied directly by the
electricity of his house. It has also its advantage to preserve the landscape
of the property because the allotted space should only require a small portion
of the landscape.

Finding a site for a freestanding greenhouse requires many considerations. The
site should be constructed with proper shelter and covering. He may also add
shadings for hotter climates.

A shade is needed simply because there could be periods where there are warmer
months and overheating can be encountered in the greenhouse. The risks of
having over exposed plants will be disastrous to a freestanding greenhouse that
has no proper sheltering and roofing. It is a wonder why most greenhouses used
and constructed are popular for having such disadvantages.

The advantages of constructing lean-to greenhouses, which are commonly seen as
attached to a house or a building gives the person the advantage of having
enough time to attend to his plants anytime he wants to. The support of the
lean-to greenhouse depends on the structure where it is attached. In many
cases, they are connected to the walls structure.

He must remember that he must not alter or destroy the style of his house. He
may match the style and design of his home to his lean-to greenhouse. He may
construct it in his preferred size. The important thing is that the greenhouse
should have easy access to the supplies and materials the plants need in order
to grow and be maintained.

The most recommended size for lean-to greenhouses structure is an 8 x 12 foot
measurement. The roofing should not be higher and wider to the house roofing.
He may place a weather resistant wooden covering so that the wall attached to
the house will cover the attachment and connection to the greenhouse.

He may also place a ledger wooden board using long screws and he must check if
the connection is waterproof. To ensure that no water will flow on the wall
connection, he may use flashing glues. It is important to place the lean-to
greenhouse on the south wall of the house to ensure more exposure to sunlight.
He may choose the option of having the wall vertically proportional or slightly
inclined depending on how much sunlight he wants for his plants.

Every greenhouse should be used to its full potential and capability to grow
and maintain the plants. He should consider all the factors that can affect the
result of his greenhouse gardening. It may not matter on the type of greenhouse
he wants to construct, the important thing is that he should always keep in
mind his pleasure and fulfillment to grow the plants and maintain the
structures and supplies on his greenhouse.

Harvesting From the Water

Conventional farming makes people plant crops over a field of land, give it
water to help it grow then harvest it when the time comes. This was practiced
for many years until the demand for food increased which made scientists rely
on other techniques to increase production.

Such practices made the use of pesticides and herbicides, fertilizers,
contaminated sewage sludge and irradiation. Since these methods are harmful to
the health, people have gone back to organic farming that does not use any of
these methods.

Technology has found another way to increase crop production without
jeopardizing the health of people and the environment. This can be done by
hydroponics farming.

Plants need water to survive but this is only one ingredient. The other and
most important are the nutrients. Scientists have discovered that it is only
when this is diffused into the water system that the roots of the crops consume
it making it grow.

By doing this in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse, the nutrients
can already be mixed into the water system allowing the crops produce more
yields which is what hydroponics gardening is all about.

To prove how effective it is, scientists made a comparative study on the growth
of tomatoes. One batch used soil and was able to produce ten tons. The other
batch used hydroponics and was able to produce 60 tons. This shows that this
method can produce 6 times more than traditional farming.

Almost any type of plant that is grown using this manner will product high
yields. Though some crops will be able to produce more than others, the length
of time to harvest it is still faster than the old method which gives a faster
turn around for farmers.

The farmer does not have to check and pull out weeds, till the land or look for
diseases that normally happen during soil cultivation since there are none. Some
people might think that this will consume a lot of water but it doesn't since it
is reused which also consumers less than traditional farming.

The problem with a controlled environment is that the plants may not be able to
get the proper sunlight and carbon dioxide that to help it grow. This problem
can be addressed by installing lights and infusing artificial CO2 into the air.

There are other ways to cultivate crops while inside a green house. One method
is called deep water culture. The roots of the plants are raised in the air and
a pump releases air out to make it grow. This is ideal for grapes and other
crops that grow in this manner.

Another method very similar to deep water culture is aeroponics. The plants are
also raised in the air and nutrients here are mixed in the form fog or mist
which also reaches the crops so it could grow.

In flood and drain, a tray is used to hold the nutrients. The roots of the
plants are held by foam chips or clay pebbles then at certain times of the day,
this is flooded so that the plants are able to receive the proper requirements
for it to grow. Afterwards, this drains itself out.

Plants can also be grown using films. This technique is called nutrient film
technique where light proof plastic is used. This flow along the passage way
giving the crops the essentials it needs to grow.

There are many techniques to employ hydroponics in the farm or in the
household. The person just has to check what is needed and to think about what
plants to grow.

One of the nicest things about hydroponics gardening is that it does not take a
lot of space. This allows the person to set up a greenhouse in the backyard. The
only things needed are water in containers, tubes to reuse the water consumed by
the plants, strong lamps to be used as artificial light and some organic
nutrients that are available at the gardening store.

Hydroponics has been around for almost 30 years. By getting some information
and the proper materials, the person can soon plant vegetables and fruits
instead of buying it at the local grocery or supermarket.

The Purposes of Hydroponics Greenhouses

Hydroponic greenhouses provide an inorganic method of raising plants. Most
plants that are hydroponically raised must be treated with proper care in
controlled conditions. The use of gravel is common on this kind of greenhouses
where the gravel supports the roots of the plants because no soil is used in
raising the plants. It also balances the assorted nutrients that feed the
plants in the form of liquid.

Those large commercially oriented greenhouse have automated ways to refine and
propagate seeds. All the things needed to grow the seeds are all set with
automated care and maintenance. There are sensitive sensors on the gravel that
automatically turns on the pumps that contains water or other chemical
solutions that are applied on the seeds.

Using hydroponic greenhouses gives a gardener the advantage of increasing the
crop amount yielded in a single harvest. In normal agriculture, he may only
produce the regular crop harvest. He may double or triple the crop production
by applying the methods in hydroponic gardening. It should create big success
in his greenhouse by using chemical fertilizers rather than the usual potting
soil or organic fertilizers.

Steve Fox of New Mexico proposes that greenhouse gardeners should increase the
production of yielded crop by extensively practicing the use of inorganic
chemical fertilizers. He may also avoid poisoning the soil from organic
chemical fertilizers that kills the living microorganisms that are essential in
the natural growth of the plants. He says that these chemicals should be used
only on controlled conditions by special hydroponic greenhouses where the
destruction of the gravel beds will be avoided which are important in the for
the root support of the hydroponically raised plants.

A person may wonder how the food he eats comes from hydroponic greenhouses
knowing that this method used chemical inorganic fertilizer. This could bother
a person's mindset on the food that he eats. Many nutritionists have proven
that these vegetables or fruits that came from hydroponic greenhouses are safe
and nutritious because plants only absorb the fertilizer in an organic state.

Daniel Arnon, a physiologist professor from the University of California have
stated that the plant nutrients acquired from organic composts are applied to
plants when they are converted into inorganic state because of the role of the
microorganisms to fertilize the soil. Many food scientists have studied and
proved that all fertilizer elements should be converted first into soluble form
before the roots of the plant use it.

The widely used chemical fertilizers have oriented many greenhouses to feed the
crops and not the soil. This may result to the death of the soil because of the
break down of the organic composition. When it comes to fertilizing the soil,
it is important to remember the proper organic steps to feed the soil so that
it will produce sufficient inorganic fertilizer needed to produce more
nutrients in it. This points out that organic gardening may not necessarily
produce the needed nutrients, where in organic fertilizer must be formed first
to supply the nutrients in the organic form.

When a person applies raw chemical fertilizers on the soil, he may affect the
soil condition. Microorganisms that may have been living in the soil would
surely die because of these artificial fertilizers. The soil can no longer grow
any plants unless the continuous use of chemical fertilizers is applied.

Hydroponic gardening may not need the services of the soil. The plants are fed
through exact nutrient dosages to increase their production and for faster
growth. Business minded persons are interested on this kind of method. On the
other hand, the world today cannot anymore accommodate the growing demand for
food because of the unstoppable growth of the world's population that is why
chemicals are now widely used on many crops to satisfy with the increasing
demand for food supply.

Many experts realize that the use of chemical solutions in crops is bad for the
environment. Most of these chemical solutions are made from petroleum products
that should give a person the conclusion that these products are pollutants.
However, the present times dictate the need to accept this reality because of
the need to supply the farmers with the needed chemical solutions to produce
and harvest more crops to sustain the production of food.

Big Business Using Commercial Greenhouses

Maintaining a farm is not easy given the large area to cover and the manpower
needed to make it work. Through the years, scientists and other experts have
made some progress such as the use of sewage, irradiation, pesticides and
herbicides, to ensure that there is enough produce to cater to the market.

Even with the resources available, farmers still have to deal with weeds,
diseases and the weather that could endanger the crops during harvest season.
Though this has brought some relief, this is not enough since these have proven
to be detrimental to public health which has prompted the farming industry to go
back to the basics.

This means growing things the natural way. Aside from tilling the land using
organic methods, there is another way that could still improve crop production
and that is the use of commercial greenhouses.

Commercial greenhouses are enclosed buildings that are usually made up of
metal, wood and glass. These structures are designed so that the farer can grow
vegetables, flowers and fruits in a controlled environment. The sizes of these
vary and some can be custom made according to the specifications of the farmer.

Farmers can still use soil to grow the plants inside these structures or use
other methods that have also proven to work. A very good example is hydroponics
farming. This technique doesn't require the use of soil but rather water to make
the plant grow.

Tests have shown that this technique helps crop production significantly as the
plants are able to absorb the nutrients faster from water than soil. In one
experiment, tomatoes grown using the soil were only able to produce 4 tons
while it was able to produce 40 tons using water.

There are many ways that hydroponics can be done. This depends on the type of
plants that the producer wants to grow inside the commercial greenhouse.

Most commercial greenhouses are free standing version models. Before erecting
the structures in the farmland, it is best to check how many can fit in the
desired location and if there is adequate sunlight and wind to help the plants
grow.

The climate changes all year round and farmers must be prepared to handle any
situation. Strong lamps can be used to act as artificial sunlight to keep the
plants warm especially at night. The installation of a ventilation system
should give the crops oxygen and carbon dioxide. The structure can also have a
timer system programmed to release water and nutrients at different times of
the day.

The panels used for commercial greenhouses are vital to plant growth. This
should give the crops the much needed sunlight to help it grow. Aside from
glass, plastics can also be used since these appear to be stronger during winds
and hailstorms. The frames of commercial greenhouses can be made of wood, metal,
aluminum and plastic. The farmer has to choose the strongest to withstand
different weather conditions.

Greenhouses are not only used in the United States but in Europe as well. On
the other side of the Atlantic, these structures are called glass houses. Most
of these are used to plant flowers and are attached to most homes.

Commercial greenhouses are expensive. The price range is from $4,000 close to
$50,000. The owner of the farm and the supplier should make the proper
measurements and estimates together before the installation can begin.

There are many companies that do this so it will not be hard to find. Those
living in farmlands should know a lot of suppliers. Should these be a bit
expensive, the person can check online to do a comparative before making the
decision who to order from.

The use of commercial greenhouses allows the farmer to grow just about anything
inside these structures. Since not all fruits and vegetables may produce the
same quantity during harvest season, the farmer can choose what types of plants
to focus on which will be good for the business.

A lot of things should be taken into consideration before getting a commercial
greenhouse. By having a budget in mind and choosing one that can work well
against pests, diseases and the weather, the farmer can be sure of a good
harvest when the season comes.

Guidelines For Constructing Your Commercial Greenhouse

The productivity and efficiency of operating a greenhouse is primarily
dependent on the kind of growing materials used. Kinds of Greenhouses Detached
greenhouses generally independently stand from each other. However, they can be
joined to gain access by way of a corridor to the other greenhouse.

The Quonset is the most common detached type of greenhouse for use in
commercial production. These types are constructed using arched rafters that
normally have end solid walls for added support. Quonset greenhouses types are
appropriate for most crop varieties however the growing capacity is to a
certain degree restricted close to "the side walls" which reduces productivity
and efficiency.

Ridge greenhouses are joined through
the eave with a shared gutter. Normally, an interior wall located underneath
the gutter is absent permitting increased productivity.

Ridge greenhouses can either be curved arch or gabled. Gabled greenhouses are
generally suitable for substantial coverings such as fiberglass or glass,
whereas curved arch greenhouses are usually covered with much lighter materials
such as polycarbonates or polyethylene. Many connected ridge greenhouses often
are called "range".

Planning

This is one of the very important steps which have to be taken into careful
consideration by the grower. Proper area selection with connection to labor,
markets, utilities as well as future expansion really makes a lot of difference
in how the business will profit and grow.

Here are basic things to consider:

* Crops that you will be growing (potted plants, Bedding plants, perennials,
herbs, vegetables, etc.)

* The growing period of the crops (seasonal or year-round)

* Plants that will be grown (flats, pots, hydroponics bed, troughs, etc.)

* Growing medium (no soil, soil, mix, compost, nutrient solution, etc.)

* Growing methods (flooring, movable or fixed benches, growing bags, beds and
flood)

* Annual productivity (space that is required)

* Marketing technique (retail, wholesale or both)

* Investment or capital

Here are things to be considered when constructing a commercial greenhouse:

1. Space. The area required greatly depends on your kind of business whether
retail or wholesale. The minimum space must be more or less two acres so to
make available parking for employees and customers, driveway access for
deliveries, area for storage and also for future expansion. A wholesale venture
generally will require much more because the greenhouse will be a lot more
bibber and wider.

2. Zoning. These are local regulations that controls land use and encourage
safety, health and the community's welfare. Note that greenhouse operations are
permitted in particular zones only.

Frontage, distances of side yards, signs and also parking spaces should be
specified. You should confirm with your zoning officer and ask what is required
and ask regarding building codes so you will know if a permit will be needed.

3. Highway Access. Site location with regards to highways must be taken into
account. For retail business, a location beside or along a high traffic road or
beside a considerable residential site can greatly increase business. Wholesale
business needs access to some interstate highway so to deal with heavy truck
road traffic.

4. Environment. Select a location that is away from "industrial pollution".

5. Climate. Avoid areas with extreme temperatures, as in the winter plant
growth is directly related the light that is received.

6. Slope. Ground slope to provide water drainage is very important. Greenhouses
must be situated on gravel base, 6-12 inches above grade.

7. Water. Plants need sufficient moisture supply for optimal development and
the highest production of flowers. As to how much water is required will
greatly be determined by how big is the area that will be watered, weather
conditions, crops grown, time of the year and "the environment control system".

Note that water that comes from "natural sources" have some amount of
impurities present, and are at times harmful to plant growth. You should have
the water tested for chemicals that can be present in your water system, to
address the problem, if there is a problem.

8. Electricity. Your commercial greenhouse should have enough supply of
electricity as well as distribution system must be provided so to supply and
manage environment in the greenhouse. As early as in the designing stage of the
greenhouse, you should already call on your area's electric utility regarding
power availability and also call on your electrician to design the electrical
layout.

9. Expansion. All throughout the development and planning stage, provisions
must be considered for later expansion.

Note that before going into the business, as in any business, careful
assessment should be made before a decision is made. Plan it carefully. Good
Luck.

How to Buy Commercial Greenhouse Kits

For nature lovers, putting up a business based on their interest seems to be
the most fulfilling job they could ever have.

That is why since the success of the greenhouse industry had been gradually
recognized in the society, more and more people are enticed to engage into
commercial greenhouses.

In Canada, commercial greenhouses were able to generate a hefty amount of more
than $1 million dollars just for 1999 statistical records of the country. This
goes to show that commercial greenhouse are advantageous not only to the
environment but to the economy as well.

Since many people are gradually realizing the potential of commercial
greenhouses in generating considerable amount of income for the business as
well as the economy, many people are enticed to engage into this kind of
venture.

However, even if the idea seems to be very appealing, it does not necessarily
mean that engaging into the commercial greenhouse business is relatively easy.
Like any venture, you have to equip yourself with the right tools and devices
in order to succeed in the business.

Hence, for those who are planning to try their luck and skill in managing
commercial greenhouse, it is important to obtain a commercial greenhouse kit.
With commercial greenhouse kits, you can instantly start your business without
any trouble.

So if you are planning to buy a commercial greenhouse kit, here are some tips
that you need to know that could help you choose the best kit for your business:

1. Do your homework

Before anything else, you have to do your homework first. It is not good enough
that you just plunge into some kind of venture without knowing where you are
heading at or what you are doing in the first place.

Hence, in order to start the ball rolling and turn those greens into green
money, try to research on every information that you can obtain about
greenhouses. In this way, you will have enough confidence on managing your
commercial greenhouse with all the data that you have in your mind.

2. Decide on the size of the greenhouse

The mere idea of having a greenhouse already entails many factors that may
affect the total characteristic of the hothouse. Besides, since you will be
buying a commercial greenhouse kit, it is very important to consider the size
of your lot before buying a kit. After all greenhouses are really inclined to
cover as much area as it can so better match the size of your lot to that of
the commercial greenhouse kit that you are about to buy.

3. Contemplate on the kinds of crops and other vegetations that you are
thinking to produce

When buying commercial greenhouse kits, it is extremely important to decide on
the kinds of crops that will be cultivated and produced. Since you will be
expecting to reap profits after you have cultivated your crops, it would be
better to grow plants that would really sell. And if these plants require much
space, then it would be better to buy a commercial greenhouse kit that will
provide the necessary space.

For instance, cultivating some "flowering plants" would require less space than
that of the "bedding plants." This is because most of the flowering plants are
placed in pots; hence, they do not require too much space. In the case of
bedding plants, they need more space because most of the bedding plants are
required to be cultivated in flat beds or "standard flats." Just imagine how
much space it will need.

4. Types of commercial greenhouse designs

Commercial greenhouses do not differ that much with the typical greenhouses
that can be found in most homes. Hence, choosing a good greenhouse design will
not only provide you more gardening benefits but can also be good for your
business especially if you are just starting on it.

There are some designs that are much cheaper to buy than the others are. For
example, the "even-span" greenhouse designs are predominantly cheaper and wise
buy compared to the other types of commercial greenhouses.

Without a doubt, buying commercial greenhouse kits can be very tricky. Unless
you really know what you are doing, you can never be confident on buying the
right choice. Hence, it is really essential for a would-be commercial
greenhouse grower to know the right factors in order to make the right choices.

5 Essential Commercial Greenhouse Equipments that a Grower Must Have

Commercial greenhouses in the United States are in speedy growth. In Georgia
alone, this great state has over 11 million square feet that holds all of the
available commercial greenhouses within the state's jurisdiction. The
apparently ravenous craving for new diversities as far as vegetation and
floriculture commerce and trade industry is concerned.

In addition, with the overwhelming growth of the new technology, more and more
people are demanding for the most basic and most natural food product. That is
why most of the commercial greenhouse growers have realized the potential that
this kind of venture can bring.

One of the best things about putting up a business like commercial greenhouse
is that you get to enjoy double gratifications. This is because with commercial
greenhouses, the grower gets to enjoy the satisfaction that he is able to
contribute to the community and the environment at the same time; he gets to
earn remarkable income.

However, as much as commercial greenhouses can provide great income
opportunities to most people, who wish to have this kind of business, starting
out a commercial greenhouse is not that easy. This is because it is relatively
significant for the business owner to provide his hothouse with the right
commercial greenhouse equipments.

As they say, a business can never succeed without the right tools and devices
that will aid or assist the entrepreneur in managing the business.

Considering the nature of commercial greenhouses, it is extremely important to
obtain the right equipment in order to provide the necessary requirements of
the plants.

Therefore, for those who are planning to establish a commercial greenhouse,
here is a list of some of the equipments that you must have:

1. Commercial greenhouse heaters

Like any type of greenhouse, whether personal or commercial, heaters are
considered to be one of the most important equipments. This is especially handy
and very useful during the winter season, where generating heat within the
greenhouse is next to impossible.

So in order to make the most of your income potential even if it is already
winter, try to obtain the best commercial greenhouse haters. This will lure
your plants to continue producing more and, in turn, will give you an all-year
round profit.

2. Hard-wearing, highly durable greenhouse staging

Since you will be producing more vegetations or offspring compared to the other
greenhouses that are only built for pleasure or leisure, it is important to
obtain a greenhouse staging that is heavy duty and hard wearing.

For instance, most of your products are placed in heavy pots, hence, in order
to carry them around the greenhouse or transporting them to your truck for
delivery, it is important to use greenhouse staging for easier transfer.

3. Seed tray shelf

If your aim is to produce as many products in a year as you can, then you have
to acquire seed tray shelves or racks. This will absolutely save you more space
within the greenhouse. In this way, you get to cultivate as much vegetations as
you can without overcrowding your commercial greenhouse.

The more you can cultivate plants, the more profit you can reap.

4. Watering equipment

Most of the commercial greenhouses are larger and bigger than the typical
greenhouses that can be found in one's backyard. Hence, watering the plants can
be very tedious. That is why it is important that you get your hothouse some
watering equipments that especially designed to manage the watering schedule of
the plants.

5. Thermometers

Large commercial greenhouses also need heavy-duty thermometers. Even if the
area is so large, it is still important to manage and control the temperature
within the conservatory.

Since it you are commercial greenhouse, it is hard to monitor temperature all
day long. Hence, it would be better to obtain and utilize the temperature of
the greenhouse and at the same time automatically opens a window to regulate
the heat inside the hothouse. These kinds of commercial greenhouse thermometers
are usually mounted to a special device that robotically opens a window once the
temperature gets hotter than the required amount.

These are just a few of the many commercial greenhouse equipments that you need
to obtain in order to have a smooth flow within your area. Nevertheless, these
are some of the basics so buying them would already ensure you of a proper
management with your commercial greenhouse.

Thinking of Buying a Greenhouse?

A farmer who has worked the land and still faces the same problems will
eventually get tired. That person has to then make a choice. That is whether to
sell the farm or try a new approach to make it profitable.

This decision will not be easy. Perhaps this is because the land has been with
the family for years. Every known pesticide and herbicide has been used but
still during the same time each year, the same pests still come and do
considerable damage.

This approach will require something new and this is the best time that
scientists and other experts will suggest that the farmer buy a greenhouse.

The greenhouse is an enclosed structure that allows the farmer to grow crops in
a controlled environment. This means that the right nutrients and proper
sunlight are provided all year round without anymore having to worry about
pests.

This can be made of glass, metal, wood or plastic. The farmer just has to
decide where the greenhouse will be placed and the size to get.

Greenhouses can grow a variety of things. People first used this to grow
flowers but tests have shown that this can increase the productivity of crops
10 times more than traditional farming.

This has enabled farmers to grow fruits and vegetables giving these individuals
more profit than ever before.

One technique that has proven very effective when using greenhouses is
hydroponics farming. This is done by using water instead of soil to grow the
crops.

Scientists and other experts have found more than one way to do this which is
gaining popularity in the agricultural industry.

People can get greenhouses in different shapes and sizes. A lot of customers
prefer the free-standing models. If ever the supplier does not have the size
for the farmer, this can be custom built and delivered in a few days.

The kind of structure used for the greenhouse depends on the weather where the
farm is situated. Should the area have strong winds, then the structure made
out of metal instead of wood will be a good choice.

The other thing that makes up the greenhouse is the panels. Just like the
frames, this can be installed using different materials. The market currently
has it in plastic, film and glass. If the farm experiences hailstorms or snow
storms often, it will be a food idea for the farmer to get panels made of
plastic or Plexiglas.

Since these are shatter proof, the farmer will be able to save money. This is
because when ordinary glass is used and it is damaged, it has to be replaced.

Greenhouses work well especially during winter. Suppliers also provide the
equipment to keep the crops warm. The heaters used will depend on the size of
the structure and the budget of the farmer.

There are some models that are powered by electricity, gas and oil. This
machine will give the farmers the means to meet the demands of the people
during this period.

Since it takes a lot of effort on the part of the farmer to maintain the farm,
another thing that can help is the installation of a timer. Greenhouses can
have timers which will release water mixed with nutrients at certain times of
the day to help the plants grow.

Owning a farm is not just about planting crops and harvesting it. Since there
is a lot of work to be done, the person must be prepared always to face the
challenges ahead. This could be in the form of diseases, pests and the weather.

Buying a greenhouse has proven to be the effective way of growing crops and
with the efforts of the farmer; the investment for this structure will soon pay
off.

More crops will be sold during harvesting season and profits will grow. The
farmer could then invest in more greenhouses if there is still space in the
farm.

Should the farmer decide to get one, the things to be considered are the
budget, the size of the farm and the weather conditions that exist. By getting
the right structure for the job, the land will grow and pass on to the next
generation.

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