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"Planning your
greenhouse"
Hydro-Gardens has developed computer programs for
designing your specific greenhouse and growing system. These programs allow us
to quickly and accurately quote you the cost of your building, growing system,
operating supplies and operating equipment. In order to provide a quote, we need
certain information:
If you supply us with the
information listed below, we will be happy to send you a quote.
- Size of greenhouse you plan to purchase. Use the income formula below to
help determine the size.
- Call your local weather bureau to find out: Coldest and Hottest record
temperatures in your area during the time of year you plan to operate the
greenhouse. This helps us design the proper cooling and heating systems
for your area and season in which you are growing crops.
- Call your local city or county building department to find out: Specific
building requirements such as wind and snow load, permit requirements,
property set-back, etc.
- Call your local utility company to find out: Electrical voltage, phase and
cost per KWH. Specify type of heating and cost anticipated: Natural Gas, LP
Gas, Wood, etc.
- Water Quality: Send 4 to 8 ounces in a plastic bottle to Servi-Tech
Laboratories or a local lab for analysis. Have Servi-Tech forward a printout
of the results to Hydro-Gardens for our recommendations.
Click here for Servi-Tech Laboratories
Information.
- Location: Send a sketch of the approximate location of the greenhouse and
any other existing buildings, trees, roads, hills, gas lines, electrical
poles, etc.
- Construction Method: Do you plan to erect your own greenhouse or do you
plan on hiring a contractor?
- Type of crop you plan to grow: Multiple vegetable crops normally require
multiple greenhouses.
- Style of greenhouse building desired: Individual ground to ground,
multiple bay gutter connected, or vented.
- Type of covering desired: Double poly or polycarbonate.
- Greenhouse Insurance: For structure and/or crop insurance.
Richard Seeley & Schafer Agency
8670 Wolff Ct. #130
Westminster, CO. 80031
(303) 814-2679 Phone
(303) 427-0611 Fax
www.rss-insurance.com
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Hortica Insurance & Employee Benefits
PO Box 428
Edwardsville, IL. 62025
800-851-7740
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Millers Mutual Insurance
800-438-6719 or (618) 463-3636
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As an aid in planning your greenhouse, use the following
information to estimate the size greenhouse you will need to meet your gross/net
income objectives. This is a very condensed version of an analysis used to
arrive at possibilities.
TOMATOES require from 4.0 to 5.0
square feet of greenhouse area per plant. Therefore, the plant population
in a 30' x 132' greenhouse will range from 990 plants to 792 plants. Plant
population is affected by greenhouse style, time of year you're in
production, and your location. Production is normally calculated in pounds
per square feet of greenhouse area. It can range from 6.0# psf to well
over 12# psf per year with currently available varieties. (See production
estimates at www.hydro-gardens.com/tomato_seeds.htm)
CUCUMBERS require from 8.0 to 10.0
square feet of greenhouse area per plant. Therefore, the plant population
in a 30' x 132' greenhouse will range from 495 plants to 396 plants.
Cucumber production can range from 7.3# psf to well over 12# psf per year
with currently available varieties.
The cost of producing vegetable crops varies
substantially from season to season and year to year. It is generally
accepted in the industry that this cost can range from $.70 per pound to
$1.00 per pound. A few of the many factors that affect this cost are
heating and electrical, labor, debt repayment and interest, operating
supplies, and taxes.
The average selling price for vegetables in your area
times the total yearly production gives you gross income. This will also vary
substantially from season to season and year to year. Traditionally this yearly
average has ranged from $1.25 per lb. to $2.50 per lb. for tomatoes.
There is an old saying in the farming industry,
"There is no money in Growing....The money is in Selling!"
You can use the following form to help you keep track of your
planning process or create your own form.
Planning Your Greenhouse Form
For more information, Click
Here to see pages 6 - 12 of our catalog (PDF Format).
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