Food costs these days are outrageous and only growing more each day. In 2008, during a two month period between June and July alone the cost of consumer products rose by over 1.5 percent across the board, with nearly a 2 percent increase in food costs, according to the Federal Reserve. Added to rising fuel costs and a global food crisis and the costs just continue to rise. So, the prospect of building your own greenhouse and growing your own fruits and vegetables is probably starting to sound more and more viable and like a great way to bypass though prohibitive costs. Of course there is a myriad of issues that needs to be dealt with by anyone seeking to save money with a greenhouse. This book, by walking you through every step of the process in building and taking advantage of your own green house, seeks to layout those issues and ensure you have as easy a time as possible without any surprises. You will learn the various principles of greenhouse use and the different types of greenhouses you can use depending on your location and the specific needs you may have. Learn how to select a proper site and to set a foundation that will hold the greenhouse effectively in place regardless of weather conditions throughout the year and maintain the heat generated in the greenhouse. Learn how to frame your green house and how to effectively glaze the glass. Learn what kinds of ventilation are needed and what forms of supplemental heat, insulation, and heat sinking you will need to acquire for your greenhouse. Greenhouse and plant experts have been interviewed and their insights have been added to this book to help you make the right decisions about which kind of greenhouse is best for you and how to prepare it. Learn how to effectively install the necessary plumbing, wiring, and other amenities your greenhouse needs. Learn what is needed for shutters and shades and how to install cold frames and hotbeds. Learn how to install hoop houses, attached greenhouses, and free-standing greenhouses and the differences between each of them. For anyone seeking a means and the details needed to install their greenhouse, this book will walk you through every necessary step.
