Horticulture
About Horticulture
Horticulture is the practice of raising and managing plants. This is usually done in a controlled environment as many horticulturalists work with ornamental plants that are not always native to the environment where they are located. A horticulturist is a person who studies and manages all types of plants. Some horticulturalists focus on researching plants to create new varieties of plants where others might run businesses that sell crops, ornamental plants, or grasses.
Horticulturalists are not limited to growing things in places like greenhouse but can also plant and manage nurseries or run sod forms which are large fields of one particular type of grass. These spaces often provide landscapers and the public with plants that are used in and around homes as well as used to create manicured lawns. On a large scale, horticulturalists can run large greenhouse complexes which are used to grow food in colder climates year around.
Greenhouses are enclosed structures that allow farmers to control the climate within the structure. Greenhouse structures are covered by transparent materials allowing solar rays to penetrate the walls. Within the greenhouse, the sun's rays are converted from light to heat energy. The converted energy heats the air, soil, and plants within the greenhouse. In some greenhouses, there are additional heating sources that are used to maintain a constant year-round temperature. Predominantly, heaters or in-ground radiant systems are used to ensure that the greenhouse remains heated allowing for extended or year-round growing seasons.
Greenhouses are often used in mild to cold climates. Farmers use greenhouses to extend the growing season, start seeds early for transplanting, and/or grow crops that require longer warmer growing seasons. Because greenhouses are enclosed, crops must be irrigated, and temperatures must be monitored. Greenhouses can also become too hot or moist which could cause crop loss and disease. To prevent this, greenhouses have vents and fans to release heat when needed.
There are a variety of different greenhouse structures:
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a structure that allows for internal climate control, has a clear or transparent roof and or walls, and must be irrigated by direct watering, drip irrigation, or spray systems. Often, greenhouses are considered structures that have solid plastic (polycarbonate) or glass walls and have additional heating sources to subsidize solar heating. These structures are permanent and often have added growing light systems.
High Tunnel
High tunnels are larger greenhouse structures that are usually covered by varying thicknesses of plastic greenhouse film (polyethylene). Due to their height, larger machinery can be used inside the structure. Usually, high tunnels are made from lightweight products allowing farmers to move them when needed.
Hoop House
Smaller than a high tunnel. These can be simple structures of bent metal or PVC which are usually covered by plastic greenhouse film (polyethylene). Often, these structures are utilized by small scale producers, family farms, or home gardeners.
Cold Frame
Structures that are low to the ground and are covered by glass, polycarbonate, or polyethylene film.
Indoor Growing
Although these structures do not fall under the greenhouse categories, there is a growing trend of indoor growing systems that utilize grow light systems and hydroponic/aeroponic systems. These structures can be built inside shipping containers, basements, or buildings. In these facilities, the farmers grow "up" as plants are growing in racks or trellised and in soilless mediums.
About Nurseries & Landscaping
Nurseries grow edible and ornamental plants for consumer markets. Plants are grown inside structures as well as outdoors in fields. Once plants reach a desired maturity, they are sold to the public, or to farmers and landscapers. Mature plants can be transplanted in home gardens, farmers' fields, grown indoors, or used in landscaping.About Sod Farms
Sod farms are large fields where grass is grown and sold to the public and landscapers. Sod farmers first plant grass seed in large fields. They water, fertilize, spray, and mow the fields until grass reaches a desired thickness. When grass is ready to be harvested, a sod cutter is used to cut long strips of soil and grass also known as "turf". These strips are either cut into rectangles and stacked on pallets or rolled into large rolls. They are then picked up by forklifts or tractors, put on trucks, and shipped. When the sod arrives at a home or worksite, they can be laid or rolled out onto bare dirt creating an instant lawn.
Fun Facts
- New York has the largest single greenhouse in North America. The greenhouse found in Oneida, New York covers about 64 acres. The structure is so large, farmers introduce bee and insect populations inside the greenhouse to pollinate and prey on insects that might destroy the crops.