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Articles by John Bartok Jr.
How to improve inventory and shipping management in the greenhouse
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.
From end to end
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.
How to Protect Your Greenhouse From Wind, Rain and Snow
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.
Condensing boilers and heaters
Greenhouse Management June 2019 Departments - Tech Solutions Condensing boilers remove the heat from flue gases, increasing efficiency to more than 90%. Photo courtesy of John W. Bartok, Jr. Have you had the efficiency of your heating system checked recently? In doing energy audits, I have seen efficiencies on old furnaces and boilers that were less than 70%.
The self-determined manager
Scouting takes skill. Make sure your staff is trained properly. Photo courtesy of University of Vermont Scouting for nursery and greenhouse pests takes skill and time. It’s a critical piece of any integrated pest management program. By scouting, growers detect insects and mites while the population is small. Researchers have discovered there are established economic and environmental benefits from scouting nursery crops, such as saving production costs and labor hours.
Buyers Beware - Cannabis Business Times
Chris Witherell was walking the exhibit hall at an industry trade show in 2017, drifting past vape pen vendors, lighting manufacturers and dozens of technology companies when he came upon a new extraction equipment company. Witherell, a professionally licensed engineer, struck up a conversation with the vendor and began inquiring about the equipment’s safety certifications. “We have a peer-review certification,” the vendor said.
3 Tips for Better Greenhouse Shading
Shading, along with ventilation, reduces the temperature and light levels in a greenhouse. By blocking or reflecting the sun’s radiation, a significant portion of the heat load can be excluded. This can save energy by reducing fan operation and extending the time that carbon dioxide (CO ) enhancement can be used. Shading also reduces excessive light levels that may burn or dry plant foliage.
10 Questions with Terrapin Care Station
Photos by Brian Kraft Since it was licensed in 2010 in Boulder, Colo., Terrapin Care Station has offered customers what its owner and chief operating officer Chris Woods describes as “high-quality [and] unique products in a professional, unassuming environment.” But its low prices, extended hours and several locations-one conveniently close to Denver International Airport-might be what keeps Terrapin Care Station’s customers coming back over and over again.
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