John Bartok Jr.

The plant shipping process involves considerable labor. Research has shown that more than 50 individual tasks are required to get a container of plants from the greenhouse to the retail outlet. Each of these tasks has a labor cost associated with it. When totaled, it equals your total cost for shipping the plants. Develop a method to locate the right plants quickly Many growers hire new or part-time employees for the shipping season. Most are not familiar with the type and variety of plants.

Endwalls are usually the most difficult segment of the greenhouse to construct. They have curved surfaces, doors and vents, and the glazing needs to be fitted to different surfaces. Here are a few things to consider when building one. Material Square, galvanized steel tubing allows easy attachment of doors, fans, shutters and other equipment. Pressure-treated lumber is a good alternative that may be easier to work with and a little less expensive. Both are strong and have a good service life.

As the climate changes, nature seems to be getting more violent in recent years with increased numbers of hurricanes and record-breaking storms. The International Building Code has revised its wind and snow loading requirements for some areas of the United States. Damage to greenhouses from storms can include racking of the frame, bending of hoops, broken glass or torn plastic and uplifted foundation posts. Preparation ahead of time can minimize the damage.