Improving Grow Operations with a Commercial Greenhouse

Every commercial or professional grower wants to maximize their business’ capabilities, but often lack the tools to run an effective growing operation. From old high tunnels that don’t offer enough growing space to primitive growing techniques, GrowSpan Greenhouse Specialists have seen it all. Utilizing the proper growing structure can make all the difference, and growers should look into commercial greenhouse structures.

Adding a commercial greenhouse to a growing operation provides numerous benefits to crops, reduces labor requirements and utilizes Mother Nature without disturbing her. With this addition, growers can compete at market with the success of a controlled environment and better yields.

 Commercial Greenhouses save Money and the Environment

Greenhouse production provides a controlled environment with the benefits of the outdoors. Unlike warehouse growing, greenhouses allow your crops to receive light from various angles as the sun travels along its arc throughout each day. Artificial lighting costs are some of the most burdensome in indoor growing. Moving your crops into a greenhouse significantly reduces the need for expensive lighting and takes advantage of nature’s helping hand.

Growers are increasingly concerned with the impact their operations have on their direct ecosystem. Many greenhouse growers implement hydroponics systems to further lower their environmental footprint. Switching to a soilless medium eliminates costs of soil and compost. It also resolves the need for intensive pesticide or fungicide application in response to soil borne pests and pathogens. Choosing a soilless medium means avoiding row planting, which is a major cause of erosion, soil loss and run off into local water sources.

Water

Irrigation is a critical part of greenhouse success.  If you do not have a sufficient, or optimal, irrigation system in your greenhouse, your crops will grow poorly. There are a variety of irrigation options that work well in commercial greenhouses. While you can use a soil medium for planting crops, there are more efficient soilless media on the market. Consider looking into Hydrocycle Dutch Buckets, NFT systems or a drip irrigation system, for efficient, water-saving irrigation systems.

Ventilation and Heat

When designing a commercial greenhouse, proper ventilation is another major concern of successful greenhouse production. Without ventilation and healthy air exchange, greenhouses can encounter humidity problems, making plants moist and susceptible to common pests and diseases.

Think about adding an affordable shade cloth for more low-tech solutions, if the operation can’t quite afford top of the line climate controllers. Shade cloths are a great way to maintain a cooler temperature in a greenhouse for crops that easily stress in extreme heat.

Optimizing Commercial Greenhouse Interior and Planning

Having a solid and detailed crop plan is important before breaking ground with any growing method. If considering purchasing a greenhouse for commercial production, no one wants it to sit fallow while they struggle to conceptualize irrigation needs or maximizing space.

Aesthetics and proper spacing are helpful for organizing, so kick around ideas on how to display and set up crops in the greenhouse. Low profile benches put plant canopies around eye level, metal tables or tiered benches are ideal for nursery production and displays. A lot of growers save money by using free wood pallets and cinderblocks for an up-cycled table set up. Many hydroponics systems require just the system and no real need for tables. For seed starting, tables are vital. If planting directly into the soil, raised beds may be the way to go. With so many options, it is best to decide which works best for your crop goals. Plan and design the interior of your greenhouse before starting to grow.

As we search for sustainable technologies, many field farmers and indoor growers should consider moving their operations into a greenhouse instead. Avoiding field planting can help to regenerate soils, while using a fraction of the water for production.

GrowSpan has an extensive line of greenhouses for any size business. All commercial greenhouse structures come with stock and custom options to accommodate individual needs. These buildings are durable and made of high-quality polycarbonate material. Polycarb greenhouses are ideal for a controlled environment, and they can give any business a leg up on the competition. These greenhouses can be designed with all the required accessories, including growing systems, light deprivation systems, venting, temperature controllers and anything else that an operation could ever need. Ask a Greenhouse Specialist for more information or Request a Quote Today.

Contributed by Amanda Williams