By: Charlene Rennick
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Only 11 percent of Canadian land is classified as having value for agricultural use. Of that parcel, only 1 percent is fertile enough to grow food. (University of Guelph, ON) In addition, a high percentage of our richest farmland is already buried underneath sprawling urban centres. The promise of fresh produce grown locally is dwindling away an acre at a time. With this in mind, it is increasingly crucial to protect what is left of our bountiful earth.
Choosing fresh produce used to include using your nose, your eyes and your grip. The closer the scent resembled the fruit or vegetable, the fresher it was. Firmer flesh meant a crisp juicy product. Nice colour symbolized great taste. Now we are lucky to able to distinguish one fruit from another by its smell and appearance. Most produce is characterized by its nondescript odour. Firmness as an indication of quality diminishes as soon as a bite is taken out of the mealy and tasteless centre. The essence of fresh produce disappears during the long shipping journey from the place where it is picked unripened and the market where it is destined.
Many disappointed consumers are turning to hobby greenhouses to satisfy their ambition for more palatable food, assume more personal responsibility for reducing carbon emissions and be reassured that they are eating organically-grown produce. Commercial greenhouse-grown produce is becoming a more common alternative to imported, expensive and poor quality food.
While tree-ripened fruit is not a practical option for most hobbyists, small greenhouses can be a solution for home-access to fresh herbs, most vegetables and vine-grown fruit.
Adding a greenhouse to your abode involves assessing the available space, determining the accessible sunlight and deciding what you want to grow. The selection of structures ranges from free-standing greenhouses that fit inside an apartment, lean-to style models that attach to an existing exterior wall, small balcony or deck versions and larger free-standing outdoor buildings.
Next, some research should be done to decide what materials you will need. Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate or glass panes, aluminium or iron frames and options for ventilated environments is a second step. You need to establish a working ratio between the heat/light absorption of your materials and the needs of your crop. Too much sunlight can be just as detrimental to the life of the plants as too little. Finally, consider how much time you have to devote to this project and purchase your greenhouse accordingly.