Advantages and Disadvantages of Greenhouse Farming Systems

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Greenhouse farming is gaining popularity in the modern world, because of the advantages it offers over conventional type of farming. In this essay, we will discuss the Advantages and Disadvantages of Greenhouse Farming, which are paramount especially for people, organizations or governments intending to venture into the practice.

Since greenhouse farming allows you to create a microenvironment where you control the temperature and humidity, one does not rely on natural climatic seasons. You can therefore use greenhouse to prolong your growing season when other people are waiting for the next season. As a result, it helps one to plant early and in cases of late harvesting. Since you can regulate climate and soil, greenhouse farming highly favors growth of different types of fruits. While this is the case, you might have to invest more in maintaining greenhouses during off-season to attain and maintain standard conditions.

Secondly, greenhouse farming is vital in control crop pests and diseases. However, in structures where breezes are allowed in crops under this type of farming could be affected by airborne diseases. In cases where one wants to grow unique vegetables grown in other regions, there is always to precisely regulate the growing conditions.

The technology behind Greenhouse structures further gives this technology an edge over other farming systems. For example, you may choose to use glass, when you need a long-standing structure. However, polythene materials are commonly used because they are light when moving from one location to another. In-ground gardening can also work where the situation does not favor construction of a structure. Importantly, you can make a greenhouse structure to be part of your residence. This means you never leave your home to go on the farming.

When it comes to location, greenhouses are cannot be adjusted once you built them. On the other hand, outdoor can be altered and adjusted as the existing needs. Greenhouse farming is therefore preferred in cases where there is restrictive farming, or where the place requires too much preparation due to the presence of rocks or absence of soil.

One of the greatest disadvantages of greenhouse farming is maintenance. Greenhouse structures require more resources to maintain compared to in-ground gardens. For example, you need to protect greenhouses from low temperatures and strong winds through insulation. Even though in-ground gardens demand high control of pests and weeds, this can be carried out through mechanical methods. On the contrary, greenhouse farming employs hand weeding and prevention approaches. Additionally, greenhouses can build up temperatures easily since the environment is confined. While this is the case, they are highly resistant to drought as compared to in-ground gardens. Another demerit is the initial cost of putting up a greenhouse. This is too much compared to establishing a garden on the ground for farming.

Moreover, greenhouse farming requires professional knowledge and skills in regulating the environment. In the event the farmer does not have the required skills, this could result into an extra cost through hiring qualified personnel. Nonetheless, greenhouse farming is the best option in areas that have harsh climatic conditions, which do not favor normal in-ground farming.