Are you a home-based or commercial greenhouse gardener looking for ways to minimize greenhouse costs and boost production and cost savings? We can help.
In addition to offering the latest range of greenhouse accessories and greenhouse kits to our esteemed clients, we strive to help gardening lovers make the most of their gardening hobbies and professions. We understand that greenhouse gardening has become quite expensive, and several costs can quickly add up, leading to a whopping monthly greenhouse maintenance budget.
From energy efficiency to water usage and pest control, multiple factors can take up a large chunk of money and result in an overwhelming greenhouse gardening experience. However, to reduce the costs associated with a greenhouse, you must learn about its types and implications.
That’s why we’ve put together this greenhouse guide to help you make your gardening more sustainable and budget-friendly.
1. Regulatory Compliance Costs
Zonal laws, building permits, and environmental regulations are a few critical regulatory aspects of running a greenhouse. You may also be subject to labor law compliance if you own and run a commercial greenhouse in the US.
According to the National Federation of Independent Business, a commercial greenhouse gardener has to bear an average cost of $12,000 per annum to ensure end-to-end business compliance. The best way to stay on top of regulatory fees and costs and consult a professional. Moreover, you should read about the latest laws and codes to minimize penalties.
The National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association has also outlined standard SOPs and codes for home-based greenhouse gardeners. They not only regulate greenhouse manufacturers but also adopt International Building Code for greenhouse installation, building, and coverings. There are multiple code sub-sections related to structure size, fire protection, energy efficiency, and pest management that greenhouse owners must follow.
2. Energy Costs
Greenhouses are essentially used for growing plants in a controlled environment. It helps gardeners protect their plants and seedlings from outside weather and create a customized setting for faster growth.
It’s also a no-brainer that plants require heat, water, and light to thrive and bloom. Although these energy factors are available in nature, there are certain ways to utilize them for your greenhouse. For example, with greenhouse accessories and greenhouse kits you may want to regulate the heat inside your greenhouse by installing an electric-powered heater during winter or an exhaust fan in summer. Similarly, on darker, colder days, you may want to install greenhouse grow lights to aid plant growth. All of these potential energy-driven greenhouse accessories ultimately contribute to your monthly greenhouse gardening budget.
The energy costs in the US can be particularly high during summer. According to the US Department of Energy, one kilowatt per hour energy costs around 14 cents in the US. So your best bet is to invest in energy-friendly greenhouse structures and accessories to minimize energy-associated costs.
Mulberry Greenhouses recommends greenhouse owners buy a solar-powered greenhouse system. It’s available in both active and passive forms, designed to optimize temperature regardless of the outside weather. For example, the MONT solar power system for greenhouses can produce power to operate exhaust fans, lighting fixtures, and a heater off the grid!
Learn more about this excellent greenhouse accessory here.
3. Water Usage Costs
Water is one of the most critical energy cost determinants for greenhouse gardeners. Sources reveal that a greenhouse uses up to 0.4 gallons of water per square foot, and this value may increase on warmer days. Moreover, the average cost of water per gallon in the US is around $1.50 per 1,000 gallons, which can cumulate to a hefty water bill over time.
But don’t worry; plenty of options are available to help you minimize greenhouse water wastage and costs and improve its sustainability. Experts recommend you buy an automatic greenhouse watering system, especially with a drip irrigation system for automated misting and watering schedules.
Moreover, rainwater harvesting systems can help you collect, store, and purify rainwater for domestic and gardening applications. You must also opt for homemade compost for your greenhouse plants to recycle garden, kitchen, and yard waste instead of buying expensive fertilizers. Check out the Aerobin 400 composter and other composting systems available on our website.
4. Pest Management and Control Costs
Pests are a nuisance and a greenhouse gardener’s biggest enemy. They can develop and spread quickly, damaging bulk amounts of crops without a warning sign, thereby escalating greenhouse costs.
The National Pest Management Association suggests that American home-based and commercial gardeners collectively spend around $7 billion on pest control products and services per annum. This cost is likely to go up due to increase weather uncertainties, ecological changes, and climate transformations that translate into biological changes in plants.
Here are two guides to understanding different types of greenhouse pests and ideal pest management techniques to help you steer clear of this problem:
- Understanding The Basics of Managing Pests in Small Greenhouses
- 7 Ways to Control Greenhouse Pests Naturally
In addition to the greenhouse costs mentioned above, you may also want to factor in the following expenses:
- Greenhouse kits and accessoriescosts according to your greenhouse’s type, size, location, foundation, and placement
- Soil amendments such as adding fertilizers, applying manure, controlling erosion, and water conservation
- Average cost of a seed packet is somewhere around $3 in the US. So you may also want to calculate the costs associated with planting materials
- Greenhouse structural insurance costs
- Regular greenhouse repairs, especially in case of a weather event that may cause damage to its foundation, weather stripping, or the frame
Mulberry Greenhouses is a woman-run, leading, and reliable greenhouse products distributor in the US. We offer a wide range of greenhouse products, including stylish glass greenhouses, durable polycarbonate greenhouses, automatic misting systems, greenhouse composters, and more!
Call us today or shop from our amazing Sale right away.