Monday, January 17, 2011

Dayton "Dirt" - January 14, 2011

Finally our new greenhouse is in its last stages of being finished.

The contractor didn't take long to set up the main structure but as they say "the devil is in the details"

Those details include the fabrication of the drip irrigation system for hanging baskets, installation of the ebb and flow benches (self watering tables), set up of the boiler system, hanging and hook up of the air circulation fans and the set up of an automatic mist system for the rooting of cuttings.

I'm very excited to start production in the new greenhouse as it is so much more efficient than the older and smaller structure it replaced. The much greater efficiency will enable us to produce more of our usual fare and more unusual fare now that we have not only more space but a much better growing environment as well.

Right now, I'm like a kid in a candy store looking at all the new annual flowers and trying to decide what to grow. The combination of annuals and even perennial flowers seems limitless.

What I like too is that the new structure has a low energy use with the new heat curtains that close at night to retain heat, as 80% of the heat needed for greenhouses in northern Ohio is used at night.

The boiler system, with its hot water tubes, will help to heat near the roof where it can escape to the outside.

A "blessing" too are the self watering benches for plants that will aid in less water use and water runoff from the production of the flowers.

I can hardly wait until spring.

Tom

No comments: