[Market-farming] Book Info
Sharon and Steve
shopkins at tdstelme.net
Thu Jan 24 07:20:44 EST 2008
The Hoophouse Handbook: Growing Produce and Flowers in Hoophouses and High
Tunnels -- by Growing for Market
The greatest thing in market farming since the tractor! A hoophouse is
a low-cost, low-tech greenhouse structure that is erected right in the field
so plants can be grown in the ground, but with some protection from the
elements. Hoophouses rely on the sun for heat, and natural ventilation for
cooling. Because of their low cost to build and operate, hoophouses can pay
for themselves in just one season.
Hoophouses are also known as high tunnels, cold frames and passive
solar greenhouses. They have been widely used in Europe for decades. Now
growers everywhere are discovering the many benefits of growing in a
hoophouse: Crops get an earlier start in spring and can be produced later in
fall; Cold-hardy crops can be grown all winter; Crops that can't be grown
outside because of wind thrive in a hoophouse; Yield and quality in most
crops are greatly improved.
Besides producing great food and flowers over a longer season,
hoophouses add a measure of predictability that just doesn't exist elsewhere
in farming. While field crops suffer from excessive rain, late and early
frosts, hail, windstorms and other natural hazards, hoophouse crops just
keep growing.
The Hoophouse Handbook provides an essential introduction to hoophouse
horticulture. It describes the most profitable crops to grow in a hoophouse,
including cut flowers, early and heirloom tomatoes, strawberries,
raspberries, and salad greens. It also offers advice on how to buy, site and
build a hoophouse. With more than 50 photos and illustrations, this book
makes it easy to get started with this profitable farm business. Softcover,
8.5x11, 60 pages, $15.00, GFM Online Store / #BOOKH03
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