Greenhouses - an Investment in Produce and Productivity
 (Read 500+ times)
By Clair Schwan
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We’ve all seen large greenhouses along the highways, and many of us have been inside of them. But, do we really know what the benefits are, or do we simply think it’s a place where plants are grown? The benefits of these gardening structures are many, and they can be had by the commercial grower as well as the hobbyist.
Before we look at the benefits, let’s overview the investment that these garden structures represent. Basically, the structures represent an investment in:
- space – you’ll need dedicated space to set one up
- money – commercial kits are expensive and plastic coverings periodically need to be replaced
- labor – whether a kit or homemade, they have to be put together
- maintenance – coverings need to be repaired
- time – you’ll have to dedicate time to gardening to make the investment worthwhile
Okay, so let’s say you’re ready for such an investment. Here is a quick look at some of the benefits. At a top level, they are:
- protection from the wind
- shelter from driving rain and hail
- a barrier against animal both large and small
- a means of capturing and retaining heat from the sun
- moderated temperatures
- extended growing season
- dedicated space for gardening
- controlled environment
- life size frost blanket
- amplified productivity
If you’ve never used a greenhouse before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. I use mine to grow my own food which increases my self reliance. It increases productivity over traditional open sun garden beds. Telling you about the benefits is one thing, but seeing them for yourself is quite another. My experience shows that productivity doubles inside a greenhouse as opposed to outdoor gardening in a dry and wind-swept environment.
And, best of all, you can cold climate garden year round, even without the addition of heat. Yes, an unheated greenhouse can provide many benefits in terms of protection and productivity, but you have to be willing to make the investment in order to get that return.
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Author Bio Box: Clair Schwan
 Clair Schwan is an avid vegetable gardener who grows more than 100 varieties of vegetables in homemade greenhouses of his own design and construction. He is an individual focused on success and self reliance. Learn more about his adventures and interests in vegetable gardening and building your own greenhouse.
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