What is Greenhouse?
A greenhouse is an enclosed structure, where plants are grown under controlled micro environment. These range in size from small sheds to large buildings. The roof and walls are the transparent coverings of glass or plastic for absorbing solar energy and keeping the warm atmosphere intact inside.
Advantages
Round the year production of a variety of plants and availability of off-season crops as well.
High yields and better quality.
A covered structure makes it possible to do farming in unfavorable weather conditions.
Protection from pests, predators and difficult weather.
Use of dangerous, toxic pesticides is avoided and a closed system gives advantage of less water consumption, so more environmental friendly.
Can customize the greenhouse structure as per farming needs.
What is Hydroponics?
“Hydroponics” is a production method of growing plants in mineral solution packed with nutrients, rather than in soil. With a continuous supervision and little bit of procedural knowledge one can make a successful hydroponic system. Though the setup cost for high level hydroponic system is relatively high.
Advantages
30-50 percent faster plant growth rate than the conventional soil cultivation, so high yield.
Possibilities of continuous, year round production.
Utilize 20 percent less area than soil based farming.
Low water consumption.
No use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, thus keeps environment clean.
The Hydroponic Greenhouse
Greenhouse farming and Hydroponics are similar to a great extent, except the support system and method of supplying water and nutrients to plants. Greenhouse farming is a revolution in agriculture, and is the fastest growing sector globally. And hydroponic is further revolutionizing the greenhouse farming.
Due to increased competition, rising cost of labor, and machineries, growers are now diversifying their growing methodologies to include hydroponic system. Many growers have realized that fruits and vegetables, grown year round in greenhouses, are a good investment and adding a hydroponic system enhancing the crop results and giving them maximize returns on their investments.
The introduction of hydroponic has increased opportunities for greenhouse growers to significantly increase sales and profits using their existing facilities, operating year round. A pre-existing greenhouse can easily accommodate hydroponic growing with few adjustments. A hydroponic greenhouse has made crop production easier and more reliable than field growing. Most growers, with some research and persistence, can tackle the project on their own. There are many low-interests financing available in the market for such projects, as they also understand the economics behind these endeavors.
Advantage
Because hydroponic systems allow for even more control over temperature, nutrient levels, humidity, ventilation, and other factors every single day, and with covered greenhouse structure, it makes four season farming possible with high yields.
Improved water efficiency. Hydroponic eliminates the need for planting in the dirt or in the ground and utilize water itself as the main growing medium, so, these systems make it significantly easier for growers to reduce water runoff and boost water efficiency season after season.
Maximize profitable space, as the surface requirements are less for the same production with their compact spacing and highly efficient use of horizontal ground space.
Reduced pests and disease with no weed growth.
Shortens crop cycles as the plant growth is faster.