Slideshow: Retrofits and Equipment For Greenhouse Vegetable Production
Changing from ornamentals to produce isn’t all that complicated for experienced greenhouse growers, but it may require a few adjustments to your facilities. Take a look at these structures retrofits, production changes and new equipment you should consider to take your production quality to the next level.
Changing From Ornamentals To Vegetables–Before
Greenhouse produce can be a good between-seasons option. Just a few facilities retrofits and adjustments can change this poinsettia crop …
Changing From Ornamentals To Vegetables–After
… into this profitable greenhouse lettuce crop.
Greenhouse Vegetable Irrigation
Greenhouse vegetables require as much as three-quarters of a gallon of water per day. Each plant needs its own dripper.
Irrigation Water Monitoring
You need to keep a close eye on irrigation water with greenhouse vegetable crops. Drain water should be collected and EC and pH levels, as well as total drain water volume, should be monitored daily.
Greenhouse Tomato Training
Greenhouse crops such as tomatoes and peppers are generally trained with wires to grow vertically.
Greenhouse Pepper Training
The vertical orientation provides easy access to the fruit for harvesting.
Training Clips
Clips are used to attach the plant stem or vine to a string to train the plant vertically. More clips can be added and the string raised as the plant grows.
Greenhouse Vegetable Harvesting
Provide aisles wide enough to maneuver for regular harvesting and plan maintenance.
Bees For Tomato Pollination
Plan to use bees for pollination in your greenhouse tomato crop. Hand pollination can be done, but it’s labor intensive.
Pollination-Free Crops
Many greenhouse cucumber and pepper varieties no longer require pollination.
Sorting And Grading Fruit
Smaller growers can hand sort the crop for size and quality. Larger operations may want to invest in sorting equipment.
Packaging Adds Value
You don’t need your own brand with greenhouse vegetables, but even basic packaging can add significant value to your produce.
Vegetable Production With Low Facilities Investment
Growers just starting out can try produce without the additional investment in retrofitting or adding equipment. This high-density dwarf tomato production is on a normal greenhouse bench set up.
Less-Traditional Crops
Strawberries can be a great greenhouse crop with limited facilities adjustments.