Home & Garden Club

To have a greenhouse would mean to have something that will keep the plants growing all year-round. 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. Greenhouses are garden structures designed to cultivate plants by harnessing the heat generated by the electromagnetic radiation coming from the sun.

Greenhouses protect crops from too much heat or cold, shield plants from dust storms and blizzards, and help to keep out pests. 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. Greenhouse kits use mainly plastics that provide excellent insulation and at the same time unbreakable. The management of a greenhouse can also determine the amount of heat stored.

Benifets:

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. Quality crops can be harvested if one knows how to get around the nutritional requirements of the crops.

Som equipments for greenhouse;
It is better to have cooler systems and humidifying systems to maintain a balanced temperature inside the greenhouse. To ensure that the plants are at the right temperature, a thermometer must also be installed inside the greenhouse. Panels make up the other half of the greenhouse since it controls the amount of UV light that enter. - Electric heaters.

Tips for management of a greenhouse garden:

1. When choosing a greenhouse, select a greenhouse style that matches the design of your home and the layout of your garden.
2. The greenhouse should also use the ideal kind of flowers that will survive the climate.
3. The use of heaters in greenhouses allows the farmer to plant almost anything even during the coldest times of year.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Building greenhouse garden:

The typical ceiling height of a greenhouse kit is about 8 feet to allow for headroom of the gardener. Ready-to-build greenhouse kits have become quite popular as they offer an extensive selection of sizes and styles. A gardener may build a lean-to greenhouse or a freestanding greenhouse in his own backyard.

Fertilizer:

Calcium Nitrate in Greenhouse Grade may be used in large scale growing. 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. One must be able to monitor the amount and the balance of the different nutrients that are supplied to the crops in the greenhouse. The frequency of the application of fertilizers can influence the growth of the plants as well. 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.

Portable Greenhouse:

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. Portable greenhouses becoming popular Whether you are a novice or is already an experienced gardener, having a portable greenhouse may be beneficial to your gardening needs.

Greenhouses are being used to protect and grow sensitive plant. The art of building greenhouses started from the Roman era and up to now many plant lovers are addicted to having one of their own.

Greenhouses are usually made of glass or plastic. Inside these greenhouses, there is a build up of heat. This is due to the incoming radiation from the sun that warms the plants and the soil. Even so, the air is retained and stocked inside the house, regardless of its entire size.

Aside form having plastic or glass paneled greenhouses; you will also encounter commercial-types of glass greenhouses, which would generally feature high technology when it comes having the facilities for the fast production of vegetables and flowers. These kinds of glass-type greenhouses are full of equipment, which would cater to protecting, heating, cooling and lighting of the, lighting of the greenhouse. What made it more remarkable is that these processes can be done with the help of a computer. Thus, it is actually the computer who controls the operation inside the greenhouse.

The reason why glass is more suitable for greenhouses is due to its ability to transmit average light frequencies. Aside from this, it can trap the heat inside the greenhouse and heating everything inside it. This is also why there is a small window at the top portion of the greenhouse that needs to be open all the time. It acts as a channel to drop the temperature inside the greenhouse.

This amazing process is termed as “the principle of auto-vent”. This would pertain to the automatic cooling system. Hence, greenhouses usually work by trapping or capturing electromagnetic radiation and therefore stopping convection.

With regards to the origin of the greenhouse, it was believed to start during the Roman times. This was when a certain Roman emperor had a craving and appetite for cucumbers. Since that Roman emperor requests cucumber everyday, the gardener had set up his own artificial method of growing cucumbers. The artificial technique he used then is still similar to the greenhouse being used these days, except for the added technology.

In the thirteenth century, Italy started the building of greenhouses to grow their exotic plants. Different explorers brought these in those times. Originally, it was named as the “Giardini Batanici” or “Botanical Garden in English. Later on, word about this spread and reached the Netherlands up to England. However, it took some time to build the perfect greenhouse that is similar to the ones you can see today. Some of the problems encountered were the insufficiency of air and the flow of normal heat.

Moreover, during the ancient times, only rich countries can afford this system of grow plants called botanical gardens. Sometime later, other areas of the world became attuned to this concept and known universities started their experimentation to perfect this convenient phenomenon.

Furthermore, various ideas along certain parts of Europe even designed the building of these greenhouses during the seventeenth century. With this, they started to implement the use of technology in order to produce quality glasses for the greenhouses. Aside from this, their way of constructing these greenhouses somehow improved.

Then, during the nineteenth century, the first and the largest perfected greenhouses ever built. A good example of this type of greenhouse is the one found in England, which they called Kew Gardens. It is a Victorian inspired greenhouse with a so-called “geodesic dome” design. It was then introduced for production during the twentieth century.

Greenhouses, which are particularly, used for growing sensitive flowers, vegetables, some fruits as well tobacco plants are now very much demanded by plant lovers. There are also times where in gardeners would allow bumblebees inside their greenhouses on order to attain pollination. The process of pollination has actually helped greenhouse gardeners produce more plants.

The advantage of growing plants inside a greenhouse would be due ton the unique supply of heat maintained there as compared to the heat outside. Moreover, greenhouses were also built in order to keep the plants away from insects, pets, extreme heat and humidity. Plants inside these greenhouses are also irrigated which means there should be sufficient water provided for the plants inside the greenhouse.

Hence, the recent development of plastic surfaces and glazing for building greenhouses paved way for the construction of greenhouses that would selectively organize a transmittance of both inward bound solar radiation wavelengths as well as outgoing thermal IR (infra red) wavelengths.

The new materials for construction also aim to provide insulation so as to limit the conductive losses throughout the glazing process. This is also in order to better manage or control the growing environment inside the greenhouse. Researchers have conceptualized the stopping of convective heat loss found in given isolated systems and tries to work hard in order to achieve a more improved Infra Red absorption and insulation. This, on the other hand, aims to supplement the reduction of radiation and conductive energy loss.

Lastly, gardeners would generally use this greenhouse, along with its proven technique of laying out an additional Infra Red permeable plastic sheeting so as to attain an additional supply of heat from the water pies to the isolated parts of the greenhouse.

Prices of greenhouses vary, depending on the size and material used for its construction. This would range from $1,000 up to $2,700. There are also those who sell this on sale, which would range from $800 up to $2,600.

If you are a gardener who doesn’t want your level of success to be determined by the weather, setting up greenhouses may be your solution. Not only will your crops not be subject to damage from the weather, you can actually control the climate in a greenhouse.

Having the ability to manage the environment in your garden can make it possible for you to cultivate plants that don’t normally grow in your climate. By controlling the conditions, you can even produce out of season. This is really an avid gardener’s fantasy. Greenhouses unlock the barriers to gardening by making it viable to grow anything, anytime, no matter where you live.

There are several things that you need to know when planning on setting up greenhouses. Taking care to plan will increase your potential while saving you money. It requires a little research, lots of thought and that loathed process of budgeting, but all in all, it is lots of fun, especially when the planning is done and you can make your ambition of being a phenomenal gardener a reality.

There are five things to be considered in the planning process:

• Different types of greenhouses
• Greenhouse accessories
• Needs assessment
• Location
• Budget

After building the knowledge, determining your needs, selecting a location, and setting your budget, you will be ready to devise a plan and put it into action!

Types of greenhouses
Building your knowledge concerning the different types of greenhouses will make the process so much easier. There are various different types including different sizes, shapes and building materials. Whether you are planning for a huge garden, a small garden, or an herb box, there are greenhouses available for you. Hobby gardening to commercial gardening can be accommodated.

Greenhouses are available in several sizes. They range from a window box to a full-size building. You can select an attached greenhouse (attached to your house or another building), or a free-standing greenhouse. There are even portable greenhouses, or hobby greenhouses, that can easily fit on your porch.

A lean-to shape is common with attached greenhouses, although an even-span can be attached too. A window-mounted greenhouse is a small, attached greenhouse. Free-standing greenhouses can take any shape and size.

What is more to important to some than shape or size is the building materials used in the construction of a greenhouse. The materials used will determine the cost, the durability and the level of maintenance that will be required to keep the greenhouse in good shape. Some materials will require a permanent foundation; while some that are intended to be portable, won’t require a permanent foundation.

The frame of a free-standing greenhouse can be made of wood or pipe with choices of different grades of wood, plastic, aluminum, or galvanized steel pipe. The type of framing material may be dependent on your choice of coverings. For coverings you may choose tempered glass, fiberglass or plastic film. In selecting the materials, you should consider the pros and cons of each as well as the cost, maintenance requirement and durability.

If you are building the greenhouse yourself, you should check with your local building inspector to find out about recommendations for materials in your area and whether or not a building permit is required.

Greenhouse accessories
It is best to become familiar with greenhouse accessories before you select your greenhouses or develop your budget. In order for your greenhouse to work, there are some accessories that you will definitely need. Other accessories are for convenience.

One of the most important accessories to consider is watering devices, because plumbing may be required. Plumbing can really cut into your budget. So, it is a good idea to check out the options for watering your plants inside your greenhouse. Of course, you can carry water and hand-water your plants if you have the time, but there are watering devices that will automatically water as instructed.

The next most significant knowledge to build is about climate and light control equipment. This includes equipment that will help you to control the environment in your greenhouse. Temperature control equipment such as heating systems and solar panels will allow you to control the heat, while evaporative coolers, humidification devices and shade cloths can help to cool and humidify the area. Ventilation and air circulation equipment may be necessary too. Artificial lighting can be used to compensate for sunlight if the greenhouse doesn’t get enough sunlight.

Control equipment really adds potential to your greenhouse. It can actually create an environment that best suits your garden, regardless of your climate or the weather. Control equipment can be automated, where it takes care of itself, or it can be manually implemented as needed.

Of course you will need planters, pots or containers, unless you plant right in the ground. Plant stands and shelves will allow you to plant more in less space. You will also have to have the basic gardening supplies including hand tools.

These are a few of the necessary greenhouse accessories. In your research, you will become familiar with lots of accessories that make gardening in a greenhouse a whole lot simpler and more enjoyable.

Assessing your needs
It is very important that you assess your needs. Otherwise, you will likely end up getting something that doesn’t meet your needs. When that happens, you will end up spending loads of money to revamp your plan after you find out that greenhouses you have selected aren’t sufficient.

After you have done all of the research on types of greenhouses and greenhouse accessories, you will know what is available. You will probably know what you want, but you need to make sure that it will meet your needs.

Now is the time to decide if you want a large greenhouse, or maybe more than one small greenhouse. It all depends on what you are planting and the best environment for the plants. For example, if you are planting plants that grow best in dry environment along with plants that require humidity, it will be best to have two greenhouses so that you have the ability to control environment appropriately.

Decide what you are going to plant and do the research to determine the best growing conditions for the plants. This will help to establish what you need in terms of greenhouses and accessories for controlling the environment.

Selecting a location
Location of the greenhouse will dictate what gardening accessories are needed in regard to lighting control. Some plants don’t require a lot of light, while some require sunlight for the whole day. Positioning your greenhouse will determine whether or not you need artificial lighting. Choose a location where the greenhouse gets sunlight all day if you can. If you can’t, be sure to plan for artificial lighting to compensate for shady hours in the day.

Budgeting
Budgeting is usually the first thing you do when planning a project. You probably had some idea of how much money you could spend on your greenhouse project, but after doing all the research, you are likely to find that you need more money to get exactly what you want.

Now is the time to separate your wants from your needs. This may include formulating two budgets, one for now and one for later. For now, take your current budget and plan to purchase the things that you need to get your greenhouse going. Your budget may decide whether you will buy prefabricated greenhouses, have your greenhouses built, or built them yourself. It may decide what accessories you can get now, and what conveniences you will have to put off until later. Later, you can always add-on or buy additional accessories to enhance your gardening experience.

Be sure to put your greenhouse plans in writing including drawings of what your long-term plan includes. This will help you or your contractor to remember what you are shooting for throughout the project. With good written plans, you won’t accidentally place things where they will have to moved or torn down to expand your greenhouse. Of course, things can be moved, but moving them can be expensive and can jeopardize the strength and durability of the materials.

Planning before you start to build greenhouses is vital. It can save you lots of money and make budgeting so much easier. It can actually set long-term plans to create the perfect gardening atmosphere, one that you will be proud of and enjoy working in.

Every gardener has a dream. Make the vision a goal, and you’ll definitely realize it. Making the gardener’s dream come true is promising with a little research, a lot of planning, patience, and hard work. It may not be something that you can have tomorrow, but you can start small and build-up over time until you have the garden that you never imagined possible.

If you have done a good job of planning, the future won’t include wasting your money by tearing down your insufficient greenhouse. Your greenhouse will be an investment in your long-term gardening plans.