Fair Use of this PDF file of Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners, NRAES-137 By John W. Bartok, Jr. Published by NRAES, June 2000 This PDF file is for viewing only. If a paper copy is needed, we encourage you to purchase a copy as described below. Be aware that practices, recommendations, and economic data may have changed since this book was published. Text can be copied. The book, authors, and NRAES should be acknowledged. Here is a sample acknowledgement: ----From Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners, NRAES-137, by John W. Bartok, Jr., and published by NRAES (2000).---- No use of the PDF should diminish the marketability of the printed version. This PDF should not be used to make copies of the book for sale or distribution. If you have questions about fair use of this PDF, contact NRAES. Purchasing the Book You can purchase printed copies on NRAES’ secure web site, www.nraes.org, or by calling (607) 255-7654. Quantity discounts are available. NRAES PO Box 4557 Ithaca, NY 14852-4557 Phone: (607) 255-7654 Fax: (607) 254-8770 Email: [email protected] Web: www.nraes.org More information on NRAES is included at the end of this PDF. Acknowledgments About NRAES This publication has been peer-reviewed by the persons listed below. It was judged to be technically ac- curate and useful for cooperative extension programs and for the intended audience. NRAES, the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, is a not-for-profit program dedi- Louis D. Albright cated to assisting land grant university faculty and others in increasing the public availability of research- Professor and experience-based knowledge. NRAES is sponsored by eight land grant universities in the eastern Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering United States. Administrative support is provided by Cornell University, the host university. Cornell University Robert A. Aldrich, P.E. NRAES publishes practical books of interest to fruit and vegetable growers, land-scapers, dairy and Owner, Aldrich Engineering and livestock producers, natural resource managers, SWCD (soil and water conservation district) staff, con- Emeritus Professor sumers, landowners, and professionals interested in agricultural waste management and composting. Department of Natural Resources Management and Engineering NRAES books are used in cooperative extension programs, in college courses, as management guides, University of Connecticut and for self-directed learning. Lois Berg Stack Extension Professor, Ornamental Horticulture NRAES member universities are: University of Maine Cooperative Extension University of Connecticut Robert E. Graves University of Delaware Professor University of Maine Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering University of Maryland The Pennsylvania State University University of New Hampshire Rutgers University Dr. Helen T. Kraus Cornell University Extension Agent, Environmental Horticulture West Virginia University Virginia Cooperative Extension – Danville Office Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Contact NRAES for more information about membership. David S. Ross Extension Agricultural Engineer NATURAL RESOURCE, AGRICULTURE, AND ENGINEERING SERVICE (NRAES) Department of Biological Resources Engineering Cooperative Extension, PO Box 4557 University of Maryland Ithaca, New York 14852-4557 Phone: (607) 255-7654 Credits Fax: (607) 254-8770 E-mail: [email protected] Thanks to Jan Bartok for her word processing work and manuscript review. Cathleen Walker, NRAES Web site: www.nraes.org production editor, edited and designed the book. Jeff Popow, NRAES managing editor, coordinated the peer-review process. Mary Lash, NRAES production editor, coordinated the development of illustrations. Thanks to the Art Department, Ithaca, New York, for preparing the illustrations. Disclaimer Neither the author nor NRAES guarantees or warrants recommendations or products discussed in this publication. Use of a product name does not imply endorsement of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable. On the Cover Front cover (clockwise from top left): (1) Poly-covered slant-leg greenhouse. Design by Rutgers University. Photo by John W. Bartok. (2) Freestanding Gothic-style glass greenhouse. Photo courtesy of Janco Green- houses. (3) Solar greenhouse in winter. Photo by John W. Bartok. (4) Attached Gothic-style glass green- house with aluminum slat roll-up external shade. Photo courtesy of Janco Greenhouses. Back cover (clockwise from top left): All photos by John W. Bartok. (1) High tunnel with roll-up side construc- tion. (2) Poly-covered A-frame greenhouse. (3) Custom-designed attached sunspace. (4) Cold frame. Cooperative Extension NRAES–137 Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners Written by John W. Bartok, Jr. Extension Professor Emeritus Department of Natural Resources Management and Engineering University of Connecticut Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES) Cooperative Extension 152 Riley-Robb Hall Ithaca, New York 14853-5701 NRAES–137 June 2000 © 2000 by NRAES—Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service All rights reserved. Inquiries invited. (607) 255-7654 ISBN 0-935817-51-4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bartok, John W., 1936– Greenhouses for homeowners and gardeners / John W. Bartok, Jr. p. cm. — (NRAES ; 137) Includes bibliographical references (p. ). ISBN 0-935817-51-4 (pb : alk. paper) 1. Greenhouses — Design and construction. I. Title. II. NRAES (Series) ; 137. SB416 .B37 2000 690'.8924—dc21 00-030485 Requests to reprint parts of this publication should be sent to NRAES. In your request, please state which parts of the publication you would like to reprint and describe how you intend to use the re- printed material. Contact NRAES if you have any questions. Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES) Cooperative Extension • 152 Riley-Robb Hall Ithaca, New York 14853-5701 Phone: (607) 255-7654 • Fax: (607) 254-8770 E-mail: [email protected] • Web site: www.nraes.org ii Contents Figures .......................................................................................................................................................ix Tables ...................................................................................................................................................... xiv Introduction ............................................................................................................................................1 About This Book ...................................................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 — Greenhouse Basics: Getting Started How Does a Greenhouse Work? ........................................................................................................................3 How Are Greenhouses Used? ............................................................................................................................4 Year-round Greenhouses ..............................................................................................................................4 Season-extender Greenhouses .....................................................................................................................4 Conservatories ...............................................................................................................................................5 Sunspaces ........................................................................................................................................................6 Window Greenhouses ...................................................................................................................................6 Indoor Light Gardens....................................................................................................................................6 How Much Does a Greenhouse Cost? ..............................................................................................................7 How Much Time Does a Greenhouse Demand? .............................................................................................7 CHAPTER 2 — Selecting a Greenhouse: Types, Styles, and Sizes Types of Greenhouses ..........................................................................................................................................9 Attached (Lean-to) Greenhouses .................................................................................................................9 Freestanding Greenhouses .........................................................................................................................10 Pit Greenhouses ...........................................................................................................................................11 Solar Greenhouses .......................................................................................................................................12 Greenhouse Styles ..............................................................................................................................................12 Selecting a Size ...................................................................................................................................................13 SIDEBAR: Greenhouse Aesthetics ...................................................................................................................13 CHAPTER