Maximizing efficiency in greenhouse supplemental lighting is a major concern for many growers who rely on it. Here are some criteria to take into account when choosing and maintaining your lamps. The lighting you choose depends on many things like what developmental stage your plants will be grown to, whether the plants receive light from other radiation sources, and the photoperiod length per day for your plant.
Spring is finally upon us! That means it’s time to make the most of the peak season and get as much foot traffic in your garden center as possible. Here are some great ways to get customers in the door.
There are many pitfalls to avoid when planning an expansion of your greenhouse. Your business relies on many factors such as crop deadlines and financing – make sure you are planning your new builds accordingly and make the proper considerations. Here are some common mistakes:
A few months ago I posted a blog entitled What Can I Grow in a Greenhouse? This has been reposted several times on LinkedIn and Facebook, and though it was stated that the article was not an all-encompassing list, the purpose was to broaden the perspective of what greenhouses are being used for, and identify that this is no longer our fathers’ greenhouse industry.
Urban Farming: Rooftop Greenhouses vs. Vertical Farming
Yesterday we received a call from a customer in Georgia. He had bought some inexpensive light weight coldframes to save money a few years ago, not thinking he had to worry about snow. As he walked through the blowing storm with some employees to clear the snow he watched the structures one by one collapse under the weight.
With record cold weather across most of North America field crop farmers are likely looking for solutions to help protect their yields.
High Tunnels like the GGS Crop Protector are used by growers for this very reason. Though not a load bearing house ( ie. It is not designed to hold snow or support a crop ), these crop protectors are designed to cover crops in shoulder seasons when frost damage can dramatically affect a farmer’s bottom line.
Email !!! Gen Y !!! Smart Phones !!!
Driving to work today the radio DJ was talking about a recent survey of smart phone users. The results of the survey on frequency of use went something like this:
If you could go back and re-design your existing greenhouse, how many changes would you make? How many of those changes would be minor ones and how many would involve major structural, heating or other mechanical changes?
Having worked in a large greenhouse first as a laborer, then as Operations Manager/Grower for 17 years, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to build a successful team. When I became part of the GGS group and started participating in management meetings for continuous improvement, it struck me how many similarities there are between what makes a successful manufacturing operation and what makes a successful greenhouse operation.