Evening star., 1947-12-14
Greenhouses for Fun or Profit
Fundamental Factors of Heat and Light
Must Be Thought Out Carefully
By W. n. Younomon

= WHY "hN"
than the lean-to. The central heat
ing plant may be used, the green
house is accessible during the win
ter and the plants will have the
benefit of full sun.
Placing Detached House.
The detached greenhouse may be
located at any point where there is
a reasonable amount OF sunshine
from early morning to midafter-
noon. At the same time, it must be
protected from strong winter winds.
II possible the greenhouse should
be located just off of due north,
preferably on line running from
about 10 degrees east of north to 10
degrees west of south. This is to
avoid the shadows of the frame
work. The foundation is another
point that is commonly overlooked,
few stopping to realize the weight
Of the glass and supporting members
which will rest upon it. A good
foundation adds greatly to the life
OF the greenhouse and is we'll worth
the additional expense and trouble
necessary.
The detached greenhouse will
need provision for heating. This will
involve a separate room for coal
and artificial gas heaters. For oil
and natural gas furnace can be
placed in one corner. The two lat
ter fuels do not give off the toxic
gases that the ones first mentioned
do. Thus, the kind of fuel has a
bearing on the arrangement of the
building. Some gardeners, in order
to maintain the attractiveneSS of
their yard, have the furnace in a
cellar beneath the greenhouse, al
though the work and furnace room
need not be unattracitve.
Dependable Heating Necessary.
Whatever the arrangement for
heating, 1t should be dependable
and not require too much attention.
Most gardeners have a job that
keeps them away from their homes
for eight hours or more each week
day. SO the heating plant should
be one that will function for at
least such period without atten-
ton. The kind Of plants which you
will grow has much to do with de-
Gliding on the size and kind of fur
mace. Some plants require much
higher temperatures than do others.
Similarly the ventilation system
should be so arranged that it will
function without too much atten-
ton. During the winter months the
daytime temperatures in the Wash
ington area climb rather rapidly
and plants can be injured by a
temperature that is too high. Night
temperatures can fall just as sharp
ly. A good ventilating system will
regulate the air temperature so that
the plants will not suffer a setback.
The newer automatic devices for
ventilator regulation are a real boon
to the amateur.
Speaking of ventilation, there are
other points to consider. If the
greenhouse is to be used during the
summer 1t is well to have the lower
glass on hinges to provide for max
imum air circulation. When one is
growing orchids it is desirable to
have much of the ventilation from
below to avoid cold blasts striking
the plants.
Water and Humidity.
Provision for an ample water
supply and preferably some device
to take the chill from the water
during the winter months Is desir-
able. ANY arrangement to make
watering easy Is desirable. Some
gardeners do most OF their water
ing with pot while others like
to use hose. However, since the
amateur must care for his plants
in the evening he will be forced to
use a watering pot to avoid wet
ting the foliage. Even then he will
need to wet down the walks and
fill the gravel bed with hose to
maintain the desired humidity.
In planning the greenhouse one
also should consider the kinds of
beds. Some prefer to have their
plants growing on the ground since
such beds do not dry out so readily.
Others prefer the benches to avoid
having to bend over. Some believe
that bottom heat is ideal for root
ing cuttings and forcing plants.
Whatever the arrangement it will
need to be decided before construc-
ton starts since those greenhouses
with ground-level beds have glass
sidewalks whereas those with benches
can use masonry walls.
Much of the enjoyment and fun
OF greenhouse gardening come
from having success with the plants.
Basically this is difficult unless Ger
tain fundamentals are planned for
In the construction. The cost of a
greenhouse is no guarantee that
these will all be met. The location
with reference to sun and wind has
direct bearing on the plant growth
as we'll as on the cost of heating
Provision for automatic control of
heat and ventilation is almost es-
sential for the amateur whose job
keeps him away from the green
house during much of the day and
who cannot always be on hand to
look after the furnace during the
night. With these fundamentals
arranged for in the beginning,
greenhouse gardening can be an in
teresting and enjoyable hobby.