What is a greenhouse structure? structure covered with a transparent material, which allows sufficient sunlight to enter for the purpose of growing and maintaining plants Greenhouse range- two or more greenhouses located together

The basic function of a greenhouse is to provide a protective environment for crop production while allowing natural light transmission.

What are the common greenhouse designs? 1. Lean-to Greenhouse shares a wall with a building and relies on the building structure to provide some support for the greenhouse roof.

What are the common greenhouse designs? 2. Even-span Greenhouse

What are the common greenhouse designs? 3. Uneven-span Greenhouse

What are the common greenhouse designs? 4. Ridge-and-furrow Greenhouse

What are the common greenhouse designs? 5. Quonset Greenhouse

What are the common greenhouse designs? 6. Gothic Arch

Bell Ringer #2 Tuesday, August 14 What are the 6 common greenhouse structure styles?

Attached Greenhouses Connected to a building (ie. flower shop, garden center, etc.) – not always a lean-to design Advantages: Less construction material needed. Can be utilized to heat homes in winter, cool in summer through heat and humidity exchange. Disadvantages: Existing building can shade the greenhouse, limiting light needed for plants. Ventilation and temperature are difficult to control.

Freestanding Greenhouse Separate from other buildings Advantages: Maximum sunlight available for plants. Allow regulation of many different types of plant environments. Disadvantages: More land space needed for building to prevent shading from other greenhouses or buildings. Require more heat at night due to exposed surfaces.

The greenhouse framework supports the greenhouse covering material. Ridge Ventilator Purlin Sidewall Truss Anchor Support Post

What considerations need to be addressed for greenhouse frameworks? The framework should be strong, yet allow the maximum amount of light to reach the plants. It is best if the framework requires little maintenance. In northern latitudes it is important that the framework be strong enough to withstand heavy snow loads.

What to consider for frameworks? Aluminum and aluminum/steel combination are long lasting and low maintenance. Other materials: wood, galvanized steel, and angle iron.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Framing Materials Wood-Very good for hobby greenhouses or small custom designed houses: has a low initial cost but requires large amounts of maintenance and painting.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Framing Materials Galvanized metal-Most commonly used structural material. Due to a coating on the material, very little maintenance is needed and the frames are strong and long lasting. The cost is higher initially but is cheaper in the long run. Most greenhouse kits come with galvanized metal frames that are predrilled and ready for assembly.

What are the functions of the headhouse? The headhouse might be used as a storage area, a potting area, an office, and/or a shipping area.

What Materials Are Used for Greenhouse Glazing? The covering of the greenhouse is referred to as the glazing Considerations in choosing a glazing material include durability, light transmission, cost, and affects on heating costs

Eight common types of Greenhouse Glazing Materials Glass Fiberglass

Soft-plastic* Shade fabric * Three different types of soft plastic: polyethylene, vinyl, polyvinyl fluoride.

Polycarbonate Structured Sheets Acrylic Structured Sheets

Glass Considered to be the best material for crop production It has the highest light transmission The fact that it is very long lasting can make it less costly than other glazing materials in the long run

Fiberglass Has dropped in popularity It discolors after 7-10 years, is flammable and provides poor insulation

Flexible Polyethylene Sheets Flexible sheets of polyethylene are stretched over the greenhouse framework It is not very durable, but is inexpensive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEA_cXjIkAg&feature=related

Structured Sheets Structured sheets, including polycarbonate, acrylic, and fiberglass materials have grown in popularity Sheets made with double walls offer good insulation

Polycarbonate Structured Sheets The most widely used because they have good light transmission, they resist hail damage, and they are easy to work with

Acrylic Structured Sheets Have high light transmission, but they cost more than polycarbonate sheets, are prone to hail damage, and are less flexible

Retractable-roof Greenhouses Allow the roof to be opened and closed

Retractable-Roof Greenhouses A grower can open the roof when weather conditions are favorable to plant growth and close the roof when the crops need protection When open, they provide plants with increased light levels and fresh air Retractable-roof greenhouses can be used to prepare outdoor crops for the elements before leaving the greenhouse Other advantages include reduced disease problems because of better ventilation, reduced irrigation due to rainfall, and more effective temperature control

Retractable Roof Greenhouses Designs allow the roof to be opened and closed. Gives plants protection from weather when needed Reduced watering, rainwater can be used

What Are Some Greenhouse Bench Options? The greenhouse bench is the structure that holds the plants above the ground, as opposed to ground beds Materials used for benches include expanded galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic, and rot resistant wood Benches are arranged in the greenhouse with aisle space and growing space in mind Common layouts include conventional arrangements, peninsular arrangements, and movable benches

Tomatoes and lettuce require ground beds. Raised benches are used in the production of pot crops as well as cut flowers.

What Are Some Greenhouse Bench Options? Rolling benches or a type of movable bench maximize growing space by limiting space for aisles The benches are placed on pipes, which allows them to be easily moved from side to side

Greenhouse Benches Holds the plants above the ground. Materials include: galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic, and rot resistant wood. Arranged in greenhouse with aisle space to walk Rolling Benches: movable bench used to maximize growing space by limiting space for aisles benches are placed on pipes, which allows them to be easily moved from side to side.

Rolling Bench