Just like people, plants need a steady supply of fresh air to thrive.Greenhouse ventilation is a necessary feature that every operation needs to support the health of their plants. Learn what you need for a qualitygreenhouse ventilation system.
Shade cloths are vital for a successful growing season. They are usually made of woven polypropylene fabric and can easily be added to any structure. The main function of shade cloth is to protect the plants. The light diffusion provided by the cloth is chosen based on the plant's light needs and the local climate.
Just like water and sunlight, soil plays a crucial role in the success of garden plants and crops, containing all the essential minerals that encourage growth. However, this also means that the opposite is true — if your soil isn't suited to the plants you're trying to grow, you're in for a difficult time. Testing soil pH is a simple and effective way to get a read on soil quality and make necessary changes before you sow your seeds. The best part? Anyone with an understanding of the pH scale and a few simple tools can perform these tests. But don't worry if chemistry wasn't your strong suit in school — with help from Bootstrap Farmer, you'll see that testing soil pH is pretty easy.
High tunnel winter growing can help keep your business booming even when Old Man Winter comes knocking at your door. Learn which crops do best during winter and how to create a planting schedule that will set you up for success.
A traditional andhigh tunnel greenhouse have many similarities, but several key differences that could affect your buying decision as well. Find out more about these two greenhouses to determine the best choice for your operation.
Experienced farmers will often tell you how the sun passes over the farm at different times of the year, even if they aren’t talking in terms of north, east, south, and west. They may point to the path across the sky, describing the pattern. As the sun sinks into the sky during the short winter days, they’ll tell you about how that group of tall trees next to the garden casts a long shadow over a full quarter of the garden area, although it still protects it nicely from strong winds. Nearly every farm has microclimates of one sort or another.
Spring Lock, commonly known as wiggle wire, is a simple and economical way to install greenhouse coverings, including poly plastic and shade cloth, to a structure. Spring Lock is used in conjunction with lock channel (or u-channel) to form a tight and secure attachment of your greenhouse covering.
Polyethylene plastic is an affordable covering for greenhouse structures. It's easy to install and is much less expensive than glass panels or rigid plastic sheets. It is the most popular choice among small commercial and home growers. A good quality polyethylene greenhouse plastic should last you at least 4 years even in high UV environments when installed properly.
Want to build a greenhouse? This guide will give you detailed plans on building a greenhouse while minimizing cost and maximizing efficiency. The greenhouses we prefer to build are known asQuick Hoop or Hoop Houses. Quick hoop houses are a cheap way to build a greenhouse and don't require a team of people for construction. These hoop houses can be built by one person with the occasional helping hand.
Finding the Ideal LocationOne of the very first things you want to consider when building your own greenhouse is where to place it. Since a greenhouse is a semi permanent structure you want to give thought to where you want to place it. There are a few factors which are crucial to consider.
A Beginners How-To Guide for Building the Most Cost and Time Efficient Year Round Greenhouse with 600 Square Feet of Space!
Have you ever been intimidated by the complexity and cost of building a greenhouse? I used to be. I first started researching greenhouse designs and costs to begin a hydroponic farm-to-table business. I had no idea what I was doing, so I had no clue where to start. I didn’t have any experience building or working in a greenhouse and had very little money to spend.
