My Greenhouse Info

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aquaponic greenhouse

February 15th, 2011

Todd

A peek inside our cozy greenhouse on a snowy, Colorado day. Shows our aquaponics setup for tilapia, trout, and koi. More to come when we get all the fish and plants in.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Given its name because of the music that played while building it.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

How much would it cost for upkeep on a greenhouse?

February 14th, 2011

Todd

by Alesa Dam

Question by Robbi: How much would it cost for upkeep on a greenhouse?
For my economy class we were assigned to make a product and do all this stiff with it. I am working on the financial part of the project. Our invention calls for a greenhouse. I need to know how much upkeep is per month.

Best answer:

Answer by Light Knight
There are a lot of variables.
Size, location, sunlight, drainage, water, electricity, heat, crops, etc.
A basic green house may be nothing more than some translucent plastic sheets protecting plants from heavy rain. These just allow the farmer control over the amount of water that the plants may get and keep away birds.
At the other extreme are those with full temperature and humidity controlled environments. These may also have grow lights to give the optimum hours of “daylight” to the plants even in the dead of winter.
For this you would need to know the average outside temp compared to the average inside temp. As well as the insulating properties of the glass. This would effect how much energy you will need to maintain the temperate. How many hours of lighting, and the number of Lumens needed by the plants will give you how much energy you need for the lights. Don’t forget the workers that will need to do the maintenance of the building, water bills, etc.

You may want to approach an actual greenhouse operator in your area. Explain what you are doing and ask for a ball park estimate from them. They will know the actual construction and operating cost for your region.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Greenhouse Structure – How It Has Changed Over The Years

February 13th, 2011

Todd

by Dilona

Greenhouse Structure – How It Has Changed Over The Years

Greenhouse Structure – How It Has Changed Over The Years

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Home Page > Home Improvement > Gardening > Greenhouse Structure – How It Has Changed Over The Years

Greenhouse Structure – How It Has Changed Over The Years

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Posted: Feb 03, 2009 |Comments: 0
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The construction of greenhouses has been revolutionized by the advent of modern plastics. A range of possibilities are available that would have been unknown in the past.

Greenhouses were once made of wood and glass and even cast iron and glass. These materials represented a dramatic technological development in their time. Now these traditional materials are a rarity. They are preserved in the grounds of stately homes and classic botanical gardens.

The arrival of aluminum made greenhouses available to a wider market after World War Two. They were still glazed with glass and comparatively expensive. But the demand for the hobby greenhouse had begun.

While high quality hobby greenhouses are often made of quality timber such as redwood the most common type of greenhouse structure for the amateur is made of aluminum. A timber frame will always look better. The aesthetics of the aluminum structure reveal its origins in commercial horticulture. To many people they are unappealing, if functional.

Commercial greenhouses are still often based on aluminum structures, but the glazing material has changed. Greenhouses are usually glazed with twin wall polycarbonate these days. This material has the advantage that is is cheaper than glass and does not shatter. It also provides better thermal insulation than glass. The air trapped between the two walls keeps warmth from escaping into the outside environment.

Even the frame of a greenhouse may be made of plastic. The potential of UPVC, a rigid plastic material that is resistant to ultraviolet radiation, was first recognised in the construction industry. It is employed for doors and double glazed windows. The same system has now spread to greenhouses. Standard units of double glazing, or made to measure panels, are made in a factory and brought to the site where they can be bolted together.

The use of new materials has allowed new designs of greenhouse structure to be explored. A greenhouse used to be a rectangular structure often with a pitched roof. This was a pratical design and is still widely used. But the dome shaped greenhouse has become increasingly popular. Often called a solar dome, this type of structure makes the most use of light.

Dome shaped greenhouses were constructed out of cast iron in the nineteenth century. They were a great luxury. They were often used as palm houses. Surviving examples are spectacular and rare structures.

Aluminum allowed dome shaped greenhouse to be mass produced for the first time. The same shape can now be found in redwood frames too. Greenhouses of this type are often used as sun rooms and to cover pools in cold climates.

On a vast scale the same concept of a dome shape has been for the famous Eden Project biomes in Britain. The framework of these structures is made of steel. Three giant dome shaped greenhouses cover a reclaimed china clay pit and provide a series of environments that reflect the diversity of the planet.

No less visually spectacular, in its own way, is the humble polytunnel. This is a greenhouse structure made of a plastic sheeting stretched over a steel framework. Greenhouses of this type are widely used commercially. There are so many of them in Southern Spain that they can be seen from space. Satellite pcitures show large areas of the region carpeted with polytunnels.

Their commercial uses are obvious but they the polytunnel can also be used in the same way as the more spectacular greenhouses of the Eden Project. The Alternative Technology Centre in Wales has a polytunnel planted with a range of tropical plants. A small water feature provides humidity for the plants. The whole effect is of a peaceful and lush tropical environment.

At a simpler level the use of plastics has created the possibility of a greater range of temporary structures than was possible in the past. It is possible to build. or buy ready made, a vast range of temporary plastic greenhouses that will fit into the smallest space. Even people who have only a balcony or terrace can now have a greenhouse.

Now that the greenhouse is no longer confined to the simpler rectangular structure it is possible to adapt them all types of space. Modern plastic materials can be cut, bent and stretched in ways that would have been impossible with glass. The change in greenhouse structure and the availability of new materials has made the greenhouse more accessible than ever before.

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Abhishek Agarwal -
About the Author:

Abhishek is passionate about Greenhouse Gardening and he has got some great Greenhouse Maintenance Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 94 Pages Ebook, “Greenhouse Maintenance” from his website http://www.Gardening-Master.com/788/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

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DIY Homemade Hydroponics – S01E05 Simple Greenhouse

February 12th, 2011

Todd

Version 2 of the Homemade Greenhouse. This will house the simple hydroponic system. Thanks for all the comments and subscribers!
Video Rating: 0 / 5

How To Build Your Own Small Greenhouse

February 11th, 2011

Todd

by Keene and Cheshire County (NH) Historical Photos

How To Build Your Own Small Greenhouse

How To Build Your Own Small Greenhouse

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Home Page > Home Improvement > Gardening > How To Build Your Own Small Greenhouse

How To Build Your Own Small Greenhouse

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Posted: Feb 03, 2009 |Comments: 0
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Building your own greenhouse is a cost saving option. If you are on a tight budget or you want a customized design that would otherwise be beyond your means then perhaps you should think about building your own.

If you feel that you lack the essential skills then why not enrol on a part time course. Many community colleges provide courses in basic construction skills. You could combine your theory with some practice in your own back yard.

The skills required vary depending on the kind of structure you choose. If you want an elaborate redwood greenhouse with power supply, automatic watering and ventilation systems then you will need slightly higher level of skills. At the other end of the scale you could erect a simple steel framed tunnel covered in plastic in one day provided you have some one to help you pull the plastic tight.

But you should not be daunted if you want that redwood greenhouse. If you choose a prefabricated structure all you have to do is bolt the greenhouse together. The same is true of aluminum framed greenhouses. You could call on a skilled tradesman to put in the power and water supply.

Your first requirement is a level site. You will need to spend some time clearing it and levelling it for your greenhouse. Effort put in here will pay off later when you come to erect the greenhouse. If your site was uneven nothing will fit together properly.

If you plan to erect a simple polytunnel there is no need to do anything more. In fact a polytunnel will accommodate some unevenness in the site. It is a flexible structure.

For a more rigid greenhouse you will need to lay a foundation. For a small greenhouse this need not be elaborate. A timber frame is ideal. Lay some geotextile on the space you have cleared. This will stop weeds coming through.

On top of that construct a timber frame in the shape of your greenhouse. The timber should be 4 inches by 6 inches. Your timber merchant will probably cut it to length for you. Check that the frame is horizontal with a level.

Your next step is to fill the inside of the frame with gravel. This will make a water permeable floor for your greenhouse. You can lay paving on top of it for a path if you like. Your greenhouse is then secured to the timber frame with bolts.

A larger greenhouse would certainly need a concrete foundation. This is not strictly necessary in a small greenhouse but will be more permanent. If your greenhouse is a relatively expensive model that you want to last for a long time, then a concrete foundation may be the best option.

You should lay a concrete slab at least 3 inches thick. Some people recommend 6 inches. It should be poured on top of about 6 inches of compacted gravel. A waterproof membrane laid over the top of the gravel is a good idea. You can also add polystyrene insulation slabs at the sides.

The greenhouse is then bolted down to the concrete slab. A line of sealant can be run along the joint between the greenhouse and the foundation.

An alternative is to build a foundation wall out of concrete. You must dig a trench deep enough that it goes below the frost line. If you do not know where that is then ask neighbours or a local builder. It is the deepest point where the ground freezes in a bad winter.

Make the footing wider than the wall of greenhouse. Drains can be installed at this point. Treches for electrical cables and water pipes can be dug at the same time.

Fill the footing trench with concrete and allow it to set. The concrete should be 2 to 3 inches above ground level. This sill provides some insulation and keeps the frame of the greenhouse dry.

You can bolt the greenhouse directly to the concrete foundation or build a small wall on top of it first. This is useful if you want to increase the height of your greenhouse. You can also add come insulation inside the wall.

When the wall is dry bolt the greenhouse frame to it and seal the join. Check that the wall is level as you build it.

Laying a foundation is the hardest part of building your own greenhouse. Care taken at this point will pay off later. The more accurate your foundation the easier it will be to erect the framework.

Once you have got the framework of your greenhouse up and the glazing in place you can begin to install your electrical connections and water supply. The electrical connections in the greenhouse need to be suitable for outdoor use and your water pipes need to be insulated from frost.

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Abhishek Agarwal -
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Abhishek is passionate about Greenhouse Gardening and he has got some great Greenhouse Maintenance Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 94 Pages Ebook, “Greenhouse Maintenance” from his website http://www.Gardening-Master.com/788/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

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What type of heater should I get for my Greenhouse?

February 10th, 2011

Todd

Question by Kevin: What type of heater should I get for my Greenhouse?
I’m trying to decide what type of heater to get for my 8′x8′ greenhouse. I would prefer electric I think, but i may be open to other options.

Best answer:

Answer by Lawrence J
Hot water heat would be a good choice, as in an area that small you’ll find that electric and gas will get too hot when they turn on ,where as hot water is a more gradual heat and easier to control.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Starting A Greenhouse – Enjoy Summer Benefits Throughout The Year

February 9th, 2011

Todd

by sndrv

Starting A Greenhouse – Enjoy Summer Benefits Throughout The Year

Starting A Greenhouse – Enjoy Summer Benefits Throughout The Year

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Home Page > Home Improvement > Gardening > Starting A Greenhouse – Enjoy Summer Benefits Throughout The Year

Starting A Greenhouse – Enjoy Summer Benefits Throughout The Year

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Posted: Feb 03, 2009 |Comments: 0
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The winter comes. The nights draw in and we forget the decking and the patio until the spring. But in the greenhouse it is summer all year. With a greenhouse it is possible to have a little piece of summer that stays with us through the dark winter evenings and the snow.

Heating a greenhouse used to be an expensive business. But with modern materials that is no longer true. It is now possible to heat a greenhouse quite economically. What was once a luxury is available to everyone.

A twin wall polycarbonate greenhouse is double glazed and wil keep in the heat. You can use an electric heater that is controlled by a thermostat. Very little heat will escape into the outside environment. By carefully regulating the temperature it is possible to keep the bills under control.

If you keep the temperature a little above freezing you can grow plants that like fairly cool temperature. A display of cyclamen, for example, would be a delight. When we keep them in our homes they easily get too hot. A frost free greenhouse would be ideal for them. You can bring one or two in to the house for a day or two before returning them to the greenhouse to be revived in the cooler temperature.

There are a whole range of plants that are sold as house plants but really hate the dry atmosphere. Think of all those lovely plants that die after a few weeks. Crotons with their beautiful leaves or Schizanthus, the poor man’s orchid or butterfly flower, as it is sometimes known, they love humidity. In a greenhouse you can give them the conditions they need.

Many spectacular plants, such as the bird of paradise flower, or the strelizia, only need night time temperature of 55 degrees farehheit. That is not hard to achieve. In the day time the sun will raise the temperature for you. You will need day time heating on only a few days of the year.

Put one of your garden chairs in the greenhouse and sit there in the winter sun listening to some music surrounded by flowers and greenery. The great thing about a greenhouse is you can use it pretty much however you want.

I know people who keep fish in their greenhouses. A small pool easily freezes over if you have hard winters in your part of the world. You can lose your fish that way. In the greenhouse the water stays free of ice and you can feed your prize koi carp right through the winter.

Interior designers often talk about bringing the garden into the house. Well, with a greenhouse you are really intermingling garden and house. Your greenhouse can become a room devoted to plants or an extension of the garden.

But maybe the kitchen is more your thing and you want to grow fruit and vegetable crops in your greenhouse. You want the taste of fresh picked produce right through the winter. That can be done too.

You can grow all kinds of crops in you greenhouse. Salads are probably the easiest of all. Fresh lettuce, rocket, spinach and other leaves can be grown on a cut and come again basis. Herbs can be done the same way. All you have to do when you want to make a salad is to pop out to the greenhouse and pull a few leaves.

Salad takes on another dimension when it is that fresh. Just keep a raincoat or an umbrella by the kitchen door. Tomatoes are also simple to grow through the winter. They need heat. They like to be about 70 degrees.

You should also think about lighting if you want to grow crops in the winter. Most fruit and vegetables need longer day lengths than a northern winter allows. Fluorrescent lights are fairly good and cheap to run but you will get the best results from grolights that mimic the spectrum of natural daylight. They are metal halide or high pressure sodium lights that have a reflector to increase the amount of light. You can also make reflectors to go round the plants from ordinary aluminum baking foil. That can be a goof idea even when you are relying on sunlight in the winter.

Whatever you are growing in your greenhouse you must think about ventilation. You need the air to move through the greenhouse. In the winter when you want to conserve heat this can be done with a ventilation fan. They are not unlike the ones used in kitchens and bathrooms or in cooker hoods. You can modify one of those if you are handy with tools or buy one that is purpose made for the greenhouse.

If you really want to conserve heat you can fit a flexible hose to the ventand feed the expelled air back into the greenhouse. For extra effect you can run the hose into a pit filled with black rocks. The warm air will heat up the rocks which will act as a storage heater, slowly giving off heat through the night.

So whether you go for a greenhouse that is a place to sit and watch the plants and fish or a greenhouse that is intended to produce crops there are good reasons to think about greenhouse gardening.

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Abhishek Agarwal -
About the Author:

Abhishek is passionate about Greenhouse Gardening and he has got some great Greenhouse Maintenance Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 94 Pages Ebook, “Greenhouse Maintenance” from his website http://www.Gardening-Master.com/788/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

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I was needy for many reasons because of his relationship with his ex. So we just started to be friends with benefits. I want him back but i still think im coming across as needy esp after sex
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Terrible issues, I have to go for separation not divorce. My son 17 will be living with me, doing A levels. Paying £700/month rent can i ask house benefit – my own income £14k/year, husband 20k/year

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Rémito TD20 – Yellowjackets GreenHouse

February 8th, 2011

Todd

I cut some samples of this beautiful piece from one of my favorite group Yellowjackets (GreenHouse Album). Then I tried to glue these samples together in the best way, and played over with the TD20. Hope you’ll like it !
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Q&A: What chemical reactions involving carbon compounds contribute to the greenhouse effect?

February 7th, 2011

Todd

Question by violingirl30: What chemical reactions involving carbon compounds contribute to the greenhouse effect?
Please, I need help!

I am supposed to explain how reactions involving carbon-containing compounds (like carbon dioxide and methane) can contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Thanks so much!

Best answer:

Answer by Zach
C + O2 == CO2
CH4 + 2O2 == CO2 + 2H2O

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

What are we doing about air transportation and the greenhouse effect?

February 6th, 2011

Todd

by franz88

Question by kara: What are we doing about air transportation and the greenhouse effect?
There is so much emphasis put on ground transportation and the greenhouse effect. The news has been full of recent uses of private/military jets by the private sector as well as politicians. What are we doing to address the effect of these air transports on the ozone layer?

Best answer:

Answer by I WORK FOR DICK JONES!
Hopefully nothing

Give your answer to this question below!

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My Greenhouse Info

Your Guide to the Best Greenhouse and Lawn&Garden Ideas,Tips,Supplies, and Kits

aquaponic greenhouse

How much would it cost for upkeep on a greenhouse?

Greenhouse Structure – How It Has Changed Over The Years

DIY Homemade Hydroponics – S01E05 Simple Greenhouse

How To Build Your Own Small Greenhouse

What type of heater should I get for my Greenhouse?

Starting A Greenhouse – Enjoy Summer Benefits Throughout The Year

Rémito TD20 – Yellowjackets GreenHouse

Q&A: What chemical reactions involving carbon compounds contribute to the greenhouse effect?

What are we doing about air transportation and the greenhouse effect?

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