What Are Agricultural Greenhouses?
Agricultural greenhouses are agricultural facilities with exterior walls covered with film or other materials for growing crops.
Agricultural greenhouses are generally called vinyl greenhouses because vinyl is often used as the covering material. In other cases, they are also called plastic greenhouses.
Uses of Agricultural Greenhouses
Agricultural greenhouses are primarily used to reduce the effects of climate change when farming. By using agricultural greenhouses, it is possible to adjust the temperature, humidity, moisture content, and hours of sunlight to suit the crop.
They can also improve profitability and stagger harvest times by protecting crops from weather changes.
Features of Agricultural Greenhouses
Advantages
1. Weather-Independent Cultivation
Agricultural greenhouses enable cultivation under the optimum environment for crops. Therefore, it is not affected by weather conditions and helps ensure stable yields.
In addition, even on windy and rainy days, it is possible to work comfortably inside agricultural greenhouses because they are unaffected by the weather. Furthermore, in snowy areas, crops can be grown even in winter, when it is usually impossible to work outdoors.
2. Reduced Risk of Pests and Diseases
Agricultural greenhouses also have the advantage of protecting crops from pests and diseases. This is because the closed environment inside agricultural greenhouses limits the entry routes of pests. Also, even if pests do occur, damage can be minimized.
In addition, fewer pests and diseases means less frequent use of pesticides, which leads to cost reduction.
3. Adjustment of Shipping Time
Agricultural greenhouses make it possible to adjust the harvest time by artificially controlling the temperature. Proper management requires skill, but if you can ship at different times of the year, you can expect an increase in income.
Disadvantages
1. High Cost
Agricultural greenhouses cost money not only with the initial cost, but also for subsequent upkeep and maintenance. Specifically, the vinyl of a plastic greenhouse needs to be replaced at least once every few years.
2. Susceptibility to Continuous Cropping
Since it is difficult to change the crops grown in greenhouse cultivation, it is necessary to be careful of continuous crop damage. Consecutive cropping is a disorder in which the same crop is repeatedly grown in the same location, resulting in an increase in certain pathogens and pests. If Agricultural Greenhouses are used, it is recommended that measures be taken in advance to prevent the occurrence of continuous cropping damage.
3. It Takes Time to Recover From a Disaster
When agricultural greenhouses are damaged by typhoons or snowfall, it takes time to restore them. If the damage can be repaired by an individual, it may not affect you so much, but if you ask a professional contractor, he/she may not always be able to respond on the same day. When installing agricultural greenhouses, it is important to make minimum preparations in case of a disaster.
Types of Agricultural Greenhouses
1. Glass House
Glass greenhouses, also called steel-frame greenhouses, are agricultural greenhouses using glass or rigid film for covering. They are highly durable and may be used for 20 years or more. The sturdy structure makes it safe to use even in windy areas or areas where snow is expected to fall.
2. Vinyl Greenhouses
Agricultural vinyl greenhouses are agricultural greenhouses, which are covered with PVC film or hard plastic film called agricultural vinyl. Compared to glass greenhouses, vinyl greenhouses are inexpensive to install, but they are vulnerable to shocks and are at risk in the event of typhoons or other natural disasters.
How to Select Agricultural Greenhouses
1. Is It Suitable for the Cultivation Method of Crops?
In addition to durability, heat retention and air permeability of agricultural greenhouses vary depending on the type. Since the cultivation method differs depending on the crop, it is necessary to select agricultural greenhouses suitable for the crop to be cultivated. It is also important to check the ease of letting light through in advance.
2. Suitability for the Surrounding Environment
There are two types of roof structures for agricultural greenhouses: round type and roof type. The round type is more durable, but in snowy areas, the roof type, which allows snow to fall easily, can reduce the risk of collapse. Thus, the environment of the installation site is also an important factor in selecting the type.
3. Whether the Price Is Appropriate for the Intended Use
Agricultural greenhouses are available in a wide variety of products, but if all of them are highly functional, the cost of installation will be unlimitedly inflated. Also, if you choose a product that does not have the necessary functions because you place too much importance on price, you may end up making the product less efficient. It is important to compare and consider the balance between price and usage.
How to use Agricultural Greenhouses
Agricultural greenhouses are used for growing crops inside. If you want to install a new greenhouse, you can make it by yourself, but it is safer to ask a professional contractor to build it.
In addition, some municipalities offer subsidies for the construction of agricultural greenhouses. It is a good idea to check in advance if you are considering the installation of an agricultural greenhouse.