 |
The History Of My Profitable Greenhouse
Author: Gerald Mason  | Posted: 06-12-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 20 | Rating: (63)  (?) 
The cost of my greenhouse and annex, including hired labor, was just $900.00, and it required only 3 weeks to build. The foundation was laid on May first and we were able to plant on May twenty-first.
Attached to our home, and opening into the greenhouse, is the 11-foot wide by 552-foot long annex-workroom.
The greenhouse itself is small, about 9M feet wide by 12 feet long. It was built to allow for expansion. The heating system was therefore made larger and more expensive than was necessary for the original under-glass setup.
But as I mentioned earlier, the greenhouse was soon doubled in size, which put the oversized heating system to full use.
The greenhouse is built out from the west side of the house, so its long sides face north and south.
Some of the plants I grow for profit are sun-lovers, others thrive in shade or semi-shade. Those needing the most sun are grown on the south side. My selection of plants is varied, yet they all do well in daytime temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees F., with the usual night drop to 60 or 65 degrees. Indeed it is amazing what different kinds of plants can be accommodated in the same house.
Building My Greenhouse
All buildings in northern zones must have footings (foundation extensions) which extend below the frost line. Greenhouses are no exception. In my area, footings must be dug to a depth of 3½ feet so frost will not heave the foundation and crack the greenhouse glass.
We dug and poured the footings ourselves (a measure of economy), but we hired a cement contractor to lay the actual foundation and the greenhouse walk or aisle. The foundation is made of cement blocks; it is 5 cement blocks high and 6 long. The walk is made of cement slabs. This work and the materials cost $285.00 and the job was finished in 1 day. Within 2 days the cement had set and we went on with the rest of the construction.
The actual details of fastening supports and cross-pieces, installing doors, ventilators, and so forth are not relevant here. In the first place, they would require endless pages of text and diagrams-and such data are easily obtained from any number of commercial greenhouse construction sources.
Also, there is no one "best" way to build a home greenhouse-there are dozens! The construction as well as the type will depend on the requirements of your climate and what you desire (and can afford).
Incidentally, construction guides are available from lumber firms as well as greenhouse builders. I will offer, how ever, certain points of information that are generally helpful, whether you build your own greenhouse or have it built by a construction firm.
For instance, we chose redwood, sturdy and rot-resistant, for the greenhouse framework. It has proved to be a wise choice. Trenglaze, a non-hardening putty, was used to bed and seal the glass panes (called "lights" in the trade). We used non-rusting brass screws throughout. Also, we used double-strength greenhouse glass.
This costs about 20 per cent more than single strength, but it is many times more durable. In the 4 years I have had this greenhouse not a single pane has broken or cracked. The lights, cut to fit by the manufacturer, measure 20 inches wide. On the roof the lower ones are 20 by 42 inches. These are larger than many greenhouse builders use, but they mean much less construction work, admit maximum light to the plants, and minimize drafts. A layer of pea rock covers the ground flanking the walks.
Finally, we painted the outside cement blocks pale green, the framework white, to blend with our green-and-white stucco home.
For Maximum Space
The first year the greenhouse was a two-bench type with 3-foot wide wooden benches running the length on either side of the center aisle. As orders increased, we needed more growing space. Accordingly, we installed a double-deck bench system. This provided a larger growing area and also helped with the shading problem.
A full length bench about 2 feet wide, with legs 2 feet high, was placed on top of each of the two original benches. Three-inch deep galvanized metal trays were set into each of these top benches to prevent dripping. While these top-level benches greatly increased plant space, they also cut off some of the light from the first-level benches.
However, this turned into the traditional blessing in disguise, for the partly shaded area of the lower-level benches proved ideal for African violets. And the plant space close to the glass along the south side on the first-level benches, and all of the space on the top decks, still received full sun. The increased bench space also reduced crowding. Plants must not be crowded if they are to be healthy and grow symmetrically.
A free circulation of air is always necessary to prevent fungus and other troubles.
In your greenhouse, you may work out the use of space a little or a lot differently. It always depends on what you want to grow and also on the limitations your particular site may have as to light. It's usually a good idea to solve some of the space problems gradually as experience indicates.
On the south-side, top-deck bench, I place potted seedlings of gloxinias (hybrids from crosses involving gloxinias and rechsteinerias). Here, too, I place starting tubers as well as plants which have finished flowering and are ripening seeds. On the north-side top deck, I set flats of episcias and rooted glox-inera cuttings. Trailers such as aeschynanthus, columnea, cissus, ceropegia (rosary vine), and plectranthus take up little space and do a good job of covering the sides of the galvanized tray.
On the lowest bench, close to the windows on the south side, I have slipper gloxinias and their South American relatives, the red- and orange-flowered rechsteinerias, as well as more gloxinias, a few species amaryllis and pink polka-dot plants. The rest of the first-level bench area, shaded by the top deck, is devoted to African violets. Additional space is gained by hanging baskets from the ceiling. I plant kohleria, columnea, and some orchids in these. I think hanging baskets always make a greenhouse more attractive.
My own greenhouse-a 12-footer plus workroom-annex-paid for itself in 9 months. I will give you a few of the salient points of its construction, but mostly I'll describe operation, for it has been successful enough to warrant expansion to twice the size-and after only 4 years. And I will tell you something about some other successful ventures which will give you still more ideas about building and operating your own greenhouse.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/the-history-of-my-profitable-greenhouse-276014.html
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Profitable Plants To Grow
By: Gerald Mason | 14/12/2007 | Gardening
Here are some plants you can grow and sell for great profits:
Anthericum
The spider plant, Anthericum, sends out long stolons (runners ) with new plants on the tips. The little white blossoms are not showy. Anthericum grows from a tuberous root similar to an icicle radish. Propagate by plant division or...
Tips For Lighting And Watering Your Greenhouse
By: Gerald Mason | 03/12/2007 | Gardening
Lighting and watering your greenhouse are two of the most important factors in running it.
You will need a good soil for planting seeds. Compost, potting or gardening soil and a little sand or perlite are a good start. Read all directions in your seed packets.
Keep some of those black plastic...
Which Plants Can Make You Bumper Profits?
By: Gerald Mason | 14/12/2007 | Gardening
Here is a nice collection of profitable houseplants for you to make bumper profits from: Fittonia
Especially valuable for the dish garden or terrarium, fittonia another member of the Acanthacea-is easy to grow in a warm moist greenhouse. Fittonia argyroneuras green leaves are veined with white; those of F. verschaffelti with...
Profitable Plants To Grow In Your Greenhouse
By: Gerald Mason | 14/12/2007 | Gardening
Here are some profit making plants to grow in your greenhouse Philodendron and Pothos
It is truly hard to beat philodendron and pothos for planters or use as specimens. Philodendron cor datum is the one with the green heart-shaped leaves. Pothos' leaves are also heart-shaped but are marbleized. Southern growers can...
Popular Plants You Can Profit From
By: Gerald Mason | 14/12/2007 | Gardening
Here is a nice selection of plants that are popular with the public and can make you good profits:
Monkey Flower (Mimulus)
This is indeed a versatile plant. A semi-trailer in shade, it is good for window boxes, outdoor planters, and hanging baskets. With full sun it grows upright and is excellent...
Tips For Building And Running A Greenhouse To Be Proud Of
By: Gerald Mason | 06/12/2007 | Gardening
Building your greenhouse can be a family project, or you can get professional help to erect all or part of it.
A cement contractor built the foundation and walk for ours, and we did the rest ourselves.
Your first profit-making greenhouse can cost you as little as $200, or it can run...
Plants That Can Make You Rich
By: Gerald Mason | 14/12/2007 | Gardening
Here are some plants that people will always buy and can build you a good customer base, that can help make you rich:
Sweet Peas
These fragrant old favorites need to get their first spurt of growth before the weather warms too much.
Colors range from purest white through all shades of pink...
Tips For Building A Great Greenhouse
By: Gerald Mason | 06/12/2007 | Gardening
Here are some tips to help you build a great greenhouse:
To build a workable greenhouse, you will need a construction plan. Then you can consider ways and means. There are several ways to go about building.
You can draw up a contract with a manufacturer of greenhouses to supply all the...
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Gardening Articles
The Best Season for Garden Design
By: Georg Rosenbrock | 05/09/2008
Garden Designs can take a long time to do. It is best to time your garden design well in advance of spring. This provides you with enough time to finalize the design and to accomplish any hard landscaping. Having a prepared garden plan has many great advantages
10 Weed Prevention Tips
By: Carrie Wykeham | 05/09/2008
Weeds are a gardener's nightmare and can really spoil your enjoyment of you garden. A gardener's dream is to have a lush, green lawn and neat, colourful borders all free from weeds. It is said that prevention is better than cure, and this is certainly true for weeds. Let weeds...
Composting - is it Just a Load of Rubbish?
By: Steve Cownley | 05/09/2008
Everything you always wanted to know about Composting - But didn't know who to ask. Why should you compost and what are the benefits and I try and dispel some of those myths about compost and its smells.
What is a Weed? Know Your Enemy
By: Carrie Wykeham | 05/09/2008
A weed is not a specific type of plant, it is simply an unwanted plant or a plant that is growing where it is not wanted. Once upon a time, this weed was a wanted plant and may have been introduced to the locality for a particular use - to...
Tucson Landscaping: How to Save Water with Your Landscape
By: John Waters | 04/09/2008
Are you concerned about the amount of water you use in the maintenance and upkeep of your landscape? This article will provide you with ways to conserve water with Tucson landscaping tips and guidelines. Whether you're looking to save water for environmental purposes or save money on utilities, the following information will be beneficial to you and will help you avoid wasting your resources.
Phoenix Landscaping: How to Choose a Landscaper
By: John Waters | 04/09/2008
Are you looking for a professional landscaper to design your outdoor living environment? This article will provide you with important things to consider before you hire a contractor for Phoenix landscaping and design services. Whether you're looking to add functionality and beauty to an empty space or to fix an old design, the following information will help you avoid costly mistakes.
Scottsdale Landscaping: How to Save Time and Money on Your Project
By: John Waters | 04/09/2008
Before you hire just any company to plan your Scottsdale landscaping project, you should read this article. This article will provide you with some tips that will help you save time and money, and avoid hiring the wrong landscaping contractor. The following information will be beneficial to you and will help you steer clear of costly mistakes, no matter the size or scope of your project.
How to Do Hydroponics
By: Jovan Gomez | 04/09/2008
If you do not have the idea and knowledge how to do hydroponics , there are also some online website that provide informative article and hydroponics school tutorials. Hydroponics Dictionary online website have also support people to assist you on how to do hydroponics.
More from Gerald Mason
Creating A Good Backend To Sky Rocket Your Internet Sales
By: Gerald Mason | 23/12/2007 | Internet
If you really want to be successful online, you need a back end system in place that's capable of selling to your customers again and again. If you only sell one product and nothing else, you're losing out on massive amounts of profit everyday.
So, let's take a look at how...
How To Increase Your Click Through Rate
By: Gerald Mason | 23/12/2007 | Internet
It's amazing, the difference a higher click through rate (CTR) can have on your pay per click (PPC) campaign. Not only will you drive a lot more targeted traffic, but you also get better ad positioning for cheaper prices.
This means the difference between an online business that barely pulls its...
Free Traffic Generating Techniques To Drive Tons Of Visitors To Your Website
By: Gerald Mason | 23/12/2007 | Internet
Getting traffic to your site is critical if you want to make money online. However, the wrong traffic won't produce any sales. You need niche-targeted traffic; people who are highly interested in your product or service. If they aren't, they definitely won't buy what you have to offer.
This article is...
Add Bonuses To Improve Greatly Improve Your Sales
By: Gerald Mason | 23/12/2007 | Internet
People love getting free gifts. So, naturally, if your product comes with free gifts, people will be more inclined to buy. Offering free gifts/bonuses is one of the most powerful ways to increase your internet sales. This is because adding bonuses actually increases the perceived value of your product.
This approach...
How To Increase The Life Time Value Of Your Customers
By: Gerald Mason | 23/12/2007 | Internet
This article is going to show you how to extract the maximum value from each of your visitors. The lifetime value of a customer is how much they spend with you over the years until they stop buying.
Most internet businesses have very bad lifetime visitor values. This is...
How To Build A Good Long Term Internet Business
By: Gerald Mason | 23/12/2007 | Internet
Amongst all the hype on the net about how to get rich overnight with a simple website, it's easy to get a little jaded. Many people try their hand at internet marketing, waver around a bit and never get the results they're looking for.
This article is going to show you...
Internet Marketing: How To Write A Good Article
By: Gerald Mason | 23/12/2007 | Internet
Good writing is a critical skill if you want to be successful online. Whether affiliate marketing, creating your own products or article marketing your words are your salesmen.
They are what convert readers into buyers.
This article is going to show you powerful and easy to implement methods guaranteed to make...
When Dating Leads To An Engagement
By: Gerald Mason | 20/12/2007 | Dating
The Engagement
After a considerable time of courtship an engagement is established. An engagement is a mutual promise to enter into marriage in the near future. The young man frequently gives the girl an engagement ring which she wears on the third finger of her left hand. There are two types...
|
|
Home and Family 
