![]() Within the blocks, 6' to 8' wide beds are placed adjacent to 2' wide walkways. Production areas should be laid out in rectangular blocks of 1000 to 2000 sq ft. Good light, drainage and proximity to water are needed. Outdoor Production Areas - Prime space should be allocated to plant production including growing beds, shadehouses and overwintering structures. A clear span pole building is a low-cost alternative. Space for an equipment storage shed with a shop for maintenance should be planned. An outdoor area is usually provided for growing mix. This can be in a headhouse or separate building. Indoor storage for some items is desirable for easy access and protection from weather. Storage - An area for storage of materials including soil mix, containers, chemicals and equipment is needed. Swales should be grassed and slope at least ¼"/ft. Swales or underground piping is necessary to carry the water away from the area. Driveways and parking areas should slope to provide drainage. Surface can be bank-run gravel, pea stone, crushed stone or trap rock. Other areas and driveways can be unpaved. An adequate number of parking spaces for retail sales may be needed to meet the zoning code. ![]() Parking for employees and customers, convenient to the core area is desirable. Parking and Access - Good, all weather vehicular access to the buildings and growing areas should be provided. It is best to do the planning on paper so that several alternatives can be evaluated. ![]() Expansion space should be planned for all areas. Outdoor production areas should be located nearby for efficient plant movement and shipping. A good arrangement is to plan a core area which contains the propagation and production greenhouses, headhouse, storage and parking. The plan starts with a survey of any existing facilities, evaluates the benefits and constraints of the site and establishes where new facilities should be built. Site Layoutįacilities Master Plan - A master plan provides a framework for orderly construction of the buildings and should be based on a sound business plan. Zoning, building and wetlands regulations should be checked before selecting a site. Regulations - Federal, state and local regulations will influence what can be done and how long it takes to get approval. Where extensive greenhouse operations are to be installed, the type and availability of fuel may be a concern. Utilities - The cost of providing electricity and telephone to the site should be considered. In retail operations, location on a heavily traveled road will increase the customer base and improve the visibility of the business. Road Accessibility - For wholesale operations, good access to the interstate highway system can improve delivery of supplies and shipping of plants. A fairly level site with a 1% - 2% slope reduces site preparation costs. Topography - A site that has a gentle slope to the south increases solar gain and provides drainage of rain and runoff. ![]() Shelter belts to the north can provide wind protection and energy conservation. Orientation - Good solar access is needed throughout the day and year to get enough light energy for photosynthesis. Tests should be conducted to evaluate water quality for suspended sediments, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity and hardness. Generally a supply of 0.3 gallons/day/sq ft of growing space is adequate. Water supply should be adequate to meet peak load demands. Quality water - The amount of water needed depends on many factors including climate, irrigation system used and crops grown. Availability of additional vacant land adjacent to the site is desirable for expansion as the business grows. ![]() The following are considerations for site selection listed in a general priority of importance.Īdequate land - A minimum of 2 acres is needed to allow for facilities, outdoor growing area, access, parking and buffers. It can also be used when planning the expansion of an existing business. This information sheet outlines the major requirements and factors that should be considered by someone contemplating starting a small greenhouse operation for the production of annuals, potted plants, vegetables, nursery stock, perennials, herbs or other specialized crops. ![]()
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