The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses, Updated 2nd Edition Build Your Own Greenhouses, Hoophouses, Cold Frames & Greenhouse Accessories Contents of The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses Greenhouses Enter a greenhouse and you’ve crossed the threshold of an extraordinary place. You’re greeted by a profusion of flowers and the rich textures of foliage. Sweet fragrances mix with the earthy smell of soil. Diffused light shines through the misty air. In the silence, you can almost hear the plants growing. Traffic rumbles by unnoticed, and the distractions of the “real” world seem miles away. Although the experience is similar from greenhouse to greenhouse, the structures themselves are amazingly diverse. They can be large and complex or small and simple. They can be unheated or heated, built of glass or covered in plastic. You’ll find greenhouses on city rooftops and tucked into suburban gardens. Greenhouse Projects Although building a greenhouse involves many of the same principles that go into building a larger structure, such as a house or a room addition, a greenhouse is a much simpler project. You can also choose to begin your greenhouse adventure with a modest unit, growing into a larger, more fully equipped version once you become familiar with the process of growing plants in a controlled, indoor environment. The projects in this section will accommodate any need, whether you’re just starting out or looking to graduate to a much bigger, more complex greenhouse. Have a small yard and want to stick with the basics? Special Section: Upcycled Greenhouses & Cold Frames The best greenhouse or cold frame is a free one—and one that doesn’t use up valuable natural resources. Repurposing waste materials into a backyard plantgrowing structure is a common-sense approach for the environment and your pocketbook, keeping waste out of the landfill and putting it to an ecologically productive use. It doesn’t hurt that reusing waste materials can also mean saving a bundle of money. Along the way, you may well expand your gardening repertoire. There are many ways to upcycle materials into a greenhouse or other plant-care structure. Hydroponics Lettuces Hydroponics, the process of growing plants without soil, has become popular with greenhouse gardeners, especially for growing vegetables. Hydroponic growing medium, which holds plants in place, can be made of polystyrene balls, expanded clay pellets, gravel, pea stone, perlite, vermiculite, rock wool, or coconut fibers. Lettuces are probably the most common hydroponically grown vegetable. They often are shipped with the root system intact for greater longevity. Root systems The simplest method is to place growing medium into a pot and add a nutrient solution once or twice a day. Root systems grow through the plant support medium and down into the water below. Here, the water is contained in a child’s plastic wading pool. Vegetables and herbs A more complex system involves using computer-controlled pumps to automatically flush plants’ roots with nutrient solution as necessary for maximum growth. Many vegetables and herbs that are suitable for greenhouse growing are also good candidates for a hydroponic environment. Testing different species and judging their success can be a fun process.
✔ Author(s): Editors of Cool Springs Press
✔ Title: Black & Decker The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses, Updated 2nd Edition: Build Your Own Greenhouses, Hoophouses, Cold Frames & Greenhouse Accessories (Black & Decker Complete Guide)
✔ Rating : 4.5 out of 5 base on (464 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 159186674X
✔ ISBN-13: 9781591866749
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Black & Decker The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses, Updated 2nd Edition by Editors of Cool Springs Press
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The depth of character development was astounding. I felt like I knew each person intimately, understanding their hopes, fears, and dreams. It made the story so much more meaningful.
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This is a book I'll cherish and recommend to everyone. It touched my soul and made me reflect on life's profound mysteries.
