Gardeners gather in Nevada for greenhouse workshop

A greenhouse seminar held Wednesday at the Bowman Building was well attended, by hobby enthusiasts and commercial growers alike. The event was the first of its kind to be held in Nevada, and drew a crowd of 30 people. A variety of experts also gathered for the workshop, offering advice and information about the construction and use of greenhouses. The next workshop is planned for Jasper County, with the date and time to be announced later. The Missouri Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference will be held in Springfield, Mo., Feb. 20-22. For more information, contact Pamela Mayer at (417) 547-7500.

Hobby gardening enthusiasts, commercial growers and curiosity seekers alike gathered at the Bowman Building on Wednesday, Feb.1, to learn how to start a greenhouse from the experts. This is the first time such a workshop has been offered by the University Extension of Nevada.

The brainchild of Andrew Thomas, Jay Chism, Ed Browning and Pat Miller, the workshop began with registration at 9 a.m. About 30 people attended. Throughout the day, presenters spoke about greenhouse structures, heating and cooling them, growing plants in a hobby greenhouse, dealing with greenhouse pests and, lastly, energy efficient winter greenhouses.

The experts presented to an attentive group. Questions were raised such as which soil is the best to use on plants in a winter greenhouse, or what's the best way to insulate a greenhouse? Is organic farming the right path for me?

Starting a greenhouse is an investment and time consuming. Building a full-size greenhouse, according to Fine Gardening magazine is having complete control over the growing conditions.

A greenhouse requires time, money and devotion. Pots need watering, benches need weeding, pests have to be controlled, floors and glazing need cleaning, stale air needs to be ventilated and fresh air needs to be cooled. An important decision to make is whether the greenhouse is going to be attached to the house or freestanding.

Lean-to designs are popular because they are less costly and they take up less yard space.

Freestanding structures have more glazing, which means more light for plants (and higher heating bills) and have more of a vent area, which makes it easier to maintain a favorable growing climate. In general, greenhouses nee ventilation, glazing, cooling and heating.

Andrew Thomas presented the last lecture of the day, titled, "An Energy Efficient Winter Greenhouse."

He believes that an energy efficient, solar- heated greenhouse can provide an inexpensive and successful tool, to fill the gap for those of us with winter garden envy.

Many species of plants can be grown in this way, including vegetables, salad crops, restaurant garnishes and fresh cut flowers. These species all can be successfully and economically cultivated in a properly designed solar-heated winter greenhouse with little or no added heat.

Thomas utilized the University of Missouri's Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon.

The center's solar-heated greenhouse is situated on the top of a windy, exposed hill in southwest Missouri. The logic being that if it will work at this challenging site according to Thomas, it could work anywhere.

The Southwest Center's greenhouse relies on an efficient, low-profile design, insulation and a large volume of water to moderate interior temperatures. Thomas reminded everyone that ventilation and insulation are both key features to having a healthy greenhouse crop.

For more information, contact Andrew Thomas at the Southwest Research Center, 14548 Highway H, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712, or by telephone at (417) 466-2148.

Those who attended the event were given time to review the workshop. Lori Copeland of Nevada said, "I think it would be a lot of work (building a greenhouse). But once it gets going the rewards would be great. It was a really good class."

Copeland was a first-time attendee and was more interested in starting a greenhouse.

"I've always wanted to build a backyard greenhouse and I wanted to hear what the experts had to say about it." said Dr. Vicki Black of Nevada. Many of those who attended the workshop were curious about getting started.

Pat Miller of the Vernon County University Extension Office said, "A lot of people don't have greenhouses but are looking at purchasing them, so this is a good opportunity to purchase them."

The next workshop is planned for Jasper County, with the date and time to be announced later. The Missouri Small Fruit and Vegetable Conference will be held in Springfield, Mo., Feb. 20-22. For more information, contact Pamela Mayer at (417) 547-7500.