News

Clear, Diffused, or White? How to Choose the Right Greenhouse Film
Your greenhouse cover is the single biggest climate decision you make. The same structure can run hot and harsh or cool and even, depending on the film over it. Here's how the three main options compare — and how to pick the right one for your crop. Clear Film — Maximum Light A clear cover transmits the most light — up to 90% — making it the default for light-hungry crops and northern or winter production. If your limiting factor is light, clear film is where you start. Modern clear... Read more...
Cost of living and food price increases are leaving families without access to a healthy and affordable diet
There has been a rapid 57% jump in the proportion of households cutting back on food or missing meals altogether in just three months, according to new data published by The Food Foundation. There was also a sharp increase in the proportion of households with children experiencing food insecurity in the past month at 17.2% up from 12.1% in January 2022. This represents a total of 2.6 million children aged under 18 who live in households that do not have access to a healthy and affordable diet, putting them at... Read more...
GREENHOUSE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS (By Carlos Mazzarelli)
Greenhouse crops are irrigated by means of applying water to the media surface through drip tubes or tapes, by hand using a hose, overhead sprinklers and booms or by applying water through the bottom of the container through sub irrigation, or by using a combination of these delivery systems. Overhead sprinklers and hand watering have a tendency to "waste" water and also wet the foliage, which increases the potential for diseases and injury. Drip and sub irrigation systems are the most efficient and provide greater control over the amount of... Read more...
GREENHOUSE ENERGY CONSERVATION (By Carlos Mazzarelli)
New greenhouse designs, better glazing, improved heating and ventilating equipment and new management systems should be included when upgrading or adding on.  With typical annual energy usage being 75% for heating, 15% for electricity, and 10% for vehicles, efforts and resources should be put where the greatest savings can be realized. Prices are at the time of publication.  Reduce Air Leaks    Keep doors closed - use door closer or springs.    Weather-strip doors, vents, and fan openings.  For example, a 48-inch fan louver that fails to close properly leaving 1-inch... Read more...
Types Of Greenhouses (by Carlos Mazzarelli)
A greenhouse is a structure with a glass or plastic roof and side walls that is used for the production of ornamentals and food crops and may be used seasonally or year round. The closed environment of a greenhouse has its own unique requirements, compared with outdoor production.    Read more...
How to Install Polyethylene Sheeting on a Greenhouse
Paul Simon, Landscape Horticulturist with the National Gardening Association, shows you how to install the polyethylene sheeting for your greenhouse.     Read more...
Calculating Greenhouse Film Size
Calculating Greenhouse Film Size 1. Measure dimensions A,B,C, and D on your greenhouse. 2. Determine the size of film needed for the top and sides. The length and width will be A and C. We recommend adding at least 1' to each dimension. This will give you some extra film to hold onto when securing it to your greenhouse. If you want a double layer of film inflated, order 2 pieces this size 3. Determine the size of film needed for the end walls. Use measurements B and D for... Read more...
How An Energy Audit Of Your Greenhouse Can Save You Money
High greenhouse energy bills can make things difficult for any grower. However, even some of the simplest and most inexpensive repairs can result in lower energy use. For example, according to University of Massachusetts Extension, fixing a fan louver that doesn’t close correctly — leaving 1-inch gaps, allowing 23,000 BTU per hour of heat loss — can save $0.46 per hour, assuming a national average cost of $2.80 of fuel oil per gallon. In addition, Pennsylvania State Extension advises greenhouses to simply fill cracks, holes, and openings in the structure... Read more...
Cannabis - 46 Tips for Better Cultivation
As the cannabis industry grows up, the base of knowledge shared among large-scale cultivators is growing up, too. Cannabis Business Times interviewed a group of well-known industry players and frequent CBT contributors about their best practices, covering everything from lighting to custom fertilizing to specialized grow techniques, and design innovations, such as rolling aisles and vertical grows. They provide advice for beginner and advanced growers alike. Read on for tips, tricks and lessons gleaned from large-scale growing operations all over North America. Brett Eaton Director of Horticulture, American Cannabis Co.... Read more...
Stay Up To Date On Greenhouse Structures And Materials
As growers begin to plan for any facility changes they are considering for 2017, now is the perfect time to stay in the loop on greenhouse management. eGro, an online resource for greenhouse growers, features a series of video lectures and tutorials on a wide variety of topics. When it comes to greenhouse management, here’s a quick look at the videos you can check out:• Structure Types and Terminology• Glazing Materials• Overview of Greenhouse Heating• Greenhouse Cooling• Plant Growth and Development• Carbon Dioxide Injection Each tutorial features a video as... Read more...
Community-Centered Cannabis
When states implement new marijuana programs, and license applications begin to be filled out, there is usually a scramble for real estate in densely populated metropolitan areas. Hopeful cultivators may even try to outbid one another to get the largest warehouses in the best neighborhoods. But not Tim McGraw, founder of Illinois medical cannabis producer Revolution Enterprises. Instead of trying to join the bidding wars in larger cities when Illinois legalized medical cannabis in January 2013, McGraw started making cold calls to rural towns in need of an economic stimulus.... Read more...
N.Y. State Updates Medical Marijuana Program
New regulations propose adding chronic pain to qualifying conditions, allow wholesaling of MMJ. New York’s Department of Health (NYSDOH) has relaxed its stringent regulations over the state’s medical marijuana program, allowing cannabis producers to wholesale their wares to other dispensaries and by adding chronic pain to the list of qualifying conditions. The state government agency released a statement on Dec. 8 announcing the new changes. “These are major steps forward for New York’s Medical Marijuana Program and the thousands of patients who are benefiting from it every day,” said Health... Read more...