Greenhouse production offers a cost-efficient way to extend the growing season at both ends and to even grow some crops year-round. A good greenhouse is both part of and a supplement to your landscape. A lot of information is available on greenhouse growing, equipment, and supplies. This article presents a few basic considerations and is meant as a starting point. Following-up on some of the ideas provided here with your own research and experiments is recommended.

Most people think of greenhouses as solar meaning heated and lighted by the sun. Those that rely only on energy from the sun are passive systems. Solar greenhouses are insulated to collect and store energy from the sun for use at night and during cloudy weather. In areas such as the Pacific Northwest, however, most of the light in winter is diffuse and little direct light from the sun reaches the earth because of our cloudy climate. As a result, greenhouse production in these areas will likely require the use of supplementary light and/or heat. This type of greenhouse system is often referred to as an active system.

Greenhouses can be attached to a building (house, shed, barn) or freestanding. Most commercial greenhouses are freestanding. Whichever type you choose, the best placement is such that light is captured from all directions. For an attached greenhouse, the south side of a building will be the sunniest all year. The north side is not recommended. Another factor to consider in deciding where to locate a greenhouse is wind, especially one that is freestanding.

In the areas with long periods of short gray days during winter, solar heating can be unreliable. Electric lights and alternative heating sources (e.g., electric, gas or oil) can be used during the colder months to overcome this limitation. You may also want to install a backup heating system in case of power failure.

Some experts suggest that any greenhouse from simple hoop structures to glass conservatories which grow plants in the soil can produce vegetables without artificial heat. To achieve this, all you need is to do is add a second protective layer of translucent material inside the greenhouse. This twice tempered climate in your green- house is three zones warmer than where you live. USDA climate zones are based on a 10° F spread so this means the temperature inside a greenhouse could be 15-30° F warmer, a significant difference in the cool months of spring, autumn, and winter in many areas.

Ventilation is as important as heat. Lack of proper ventilation can result in too much heat or conditions that favor mildew and disease. So a completely sealed grrenhouse is not ideal.

Greenhouse production offers a wide variety of plant choices, including those that may be grown year round and those that can be transplanted outside. Cold tolerant vegetables such as brassicas, lettuce, spinach, scallions, parsnips, beets, chard, radishes, and turnips are easily grown in a greenhouse throughout the off seasons.

Winter plants have to be planted before winter to overcome the limitation on growth caused by the cooler temperatures of winter lower levels of light. During the period of winter when there are less than 10 hours of daylight, newly sown seeds grow very slowly. Count on these crops for early spring harvest.

Warm weather crops like melons, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes can be started early in the greenhouse for later transplanting outside or can be grown inside the greenhouse all the way to harvest. Such crops will not yield as well in winter but it is possible to get tomatoes in winter with added light and heat. For winter growth in the greenhouse look for varieties of plants grown in the South which are varieties adapted to short-day culture.

Other possibilities for greenhouse growing include herbs, specialty or delicate plants such as orchids, some types of mushrooms, bedding plants, bulbs, potted flowers and, of course, cut flowers. Organic vegetables are prime candidates for greenhouse growing. Cut flowers that can be grown successfully include bachelor’s button, calendula, carnation, chrysanthemum, gardenia, lupine, marigold, pincushion flower, poppy, snapdragon, stock, zinnias.

Whether you plant cold tolerant or heat loving plants, timing is key in greenhouse growing. Once you understand your greenhouse climate and light conditions you will be able to schedule plantings to maximize growth and harvest.

Disease is often best handled by practicing proper hygiene, cultivating strong, healthy plants which will be more resistant to disease and pests, and weeding out weak and sick ones. Diseases and pests can enter the greenhouse via insects, in soil, on plants, and on seeds so careful handling and monitoring can go a long way to prevent disease and pest infestation.

Prevention is very important in the greenhouse environment but diseases and pests will inevitably be a problem at one time or another. Pest management rather than eradication is a more realistic goal and is the basis of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Perhaps the most important aspect of IPM for greenhouses is monitoring and understanding the life cycle and behavior of pests. This information will help you develop the most effective control strategy, and enjoy the benefits of your greenhouse.

Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow at home and there are a number of options for growing tomatoes at home even if you do not have a decent sized plot of land to use.

Many people grow tomatoes in containers that they can sit on a patio or perhaps, if space is very limited, they hang them from a support frame or convenient rafter. I can leave you to use your imagination as to where the best options are, all you have to ensure is that there is sufficient sun light for your tomatoes to flourish.

Also selecting the right varieties will help with the limited space problem, dwarf plants and cherry tomatoes can usually be accommodated in smaller pots and hanging baskets which makes them ideal as home grown tomatoes.

Selecting the right varieties also applies to extending your growing season, select a mixture of early and late blooming tomato plants to ensure you have tomatoes available over an extended period. Again this important for growing at home because you do not want too many tomatoes all coming at the same time and to an extent where you cannot use them all, although if you do find yourself with too many you can always looks at ways of preserving them, tomato chutney is a good example.

Once you have chosen the way of growing your tomatoes and the variety you want to use, it then becomes a question of proper preparation and care. All tomatoes pretty much need the same things to allow them to flourish and this revolves primarily around selecting the right location for sun, soil preparation and then watering.

There are other aspects to consider but for the most part, take care of these 3 primary aspects and you will be well on the way to being able to grow delicious tomatoes.

Since the introduction of the Flavr Savr tomato in 1994, genetically modified foods have been a topic of controversy. This tomato was the first commercially grown genetically modified food. It was produced by Calgene, a Californian company.
This method of farming was introduced to address increasing populations among developed countries. Proponents also claim that genetically modified foods have the following benefits: enhanced taste and quality, increased resistance to disease, and increased food security for growing populations.
Controversies surrounding this method of farming include: unknown long term effects, domination of world food production by a few companies, tampering with nature by mixing animal genes in plants, and a lack of labeling notification to inform consumers about what they are purchasing.
Proponents of genetically modified (GM) foods claim that the genetic manipulation of plants creates stronger, pesticide-resistant crops and improved nutritional contents. However, critics argue that GM plants will alter the Earth’s complex ecological balance, causing irreversible harm to the ecosystem and human health. Now, for the first time, research reports that the Monsanto Company’s MON863 GM corn caused liver and kidney toxicity in rats. MON863 GM maize has been approved in the European Union since 2005.
The study, published in Archives of Environmental Contamination and Technology, investigated the effect of MON863 GM maize in rats. French researchers from CRIIGEN (Committee for Independent Research and Genetic Engineering) at the University of Caen reanalyzed data from the Monsanto Company’s 90-day rat-feeding study. Researchers administered either a GM diet or an equivalent normal diet to rats for 90 days. The CRIIGEN scientists compared the biochemical parameters between the GM-treated rats and controls.
The researchers found that the GM-treated rats had signs of liver and kidney toxicity. The GM-treated female rats had a 40 percent increase in triglycerides and the GM-treated male rats had a 35 percent decrease in urine phosphorus and sodium excretions. Furthermore, the GM-treated female rats had a 3.7 percent increase in weight and the GM-treated male rats had a 3.3 percent decrease in weight.
“Longer experiments are essential in order to indicate the real nature and extent of the possible pathology; with the present data it cannot be concluded that GM corn MON863 is a safe product,” the study authors conclude.
REFERENCES:
1. Seralini GE et al. New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Technology, March 14, 2007, online edition.

As we mentioned in the previous articles, heart diseases are caused by high blood pressure that contributes to hardening of the arteries. High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) build up in the arteries as a result of uncontrolled diet with high levels of saturated fat and trans fat. Therefore, in order to lower the risk of heart diseases foods consumed in everyday diet become one of many important factors. Here are some foods that I have found can actually lower high blood pressure and levels of cholesterol resulting in lowering the risk of heart diseases1. Fresh water algaeFresh water algae contains chlorophyII-rich foods that is a powerful antioxidant for protection of build up of free radicals and restoring DNA of damaged cells. It also contains high amounts of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that can help to maintain normal blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids also inhibit blood clotting that causes the blockage of arteries and heart diseases.2. Onions and garlicGarlic and onions contain high amounts of sulfur compounds that not only help to improve circulation of blood but also help to keep your platelets from clumping together. Daily consumption of both garlic and onions help to keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels in healthy range. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you are taking any blood thinner medicines.3. Nuts and seedsNuts and seeds contain high amounts of unsaturated fat and vitamin E. Unsaturated fat helps to prevent clots of arteries and lower cholesterol levels. Vitamin E, and the antioxidants beta varotene on the other hand stops bad cholesterol LDL from building up in the arteries, decreasing the risk of heart attacks.4. Vegetables and fruitsVegetable and fruits contain high amounts vitamins A, E, C and B. Vitamin E, the antioxidants beta carotene and vitamin C help to strengthen your small blood vessels and thins your blood so it can flow smoothly in result of lowering the risk of heart disease and strokes. Plums, tomatoes, and watercress are the best choices.There are many more foods that can help to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels such as horsenut, grape juices, and apples. I hope this article will give you some ideas of choosing foods that help to restore your health and disease prevention. If you need more information, please visit my home page at:

Kyle J. Nortonhttp://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.comhttp://heartdiseasespartxi.blogspot.com/