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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.