Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
All of our resources are free. Please don't hesitate to share them with others!
Search
Are there different types of evaporation ponds?
Evaporation ponds are used throughout the world for such purposes as wastewater treatment, salt harvesting, the collection and processing of agricultural runoff, for varied mining and industrial purposes, and for remediation and cleanup of contaminated sites.
Read More
What is a solar evaporation pond, and how does it differ from a conventional evaporation pond?
A solar evaporation pond is a saltwater pool that can be used to produce and store thermal energy.
Read More
What is an evaporation pond, and what are its common uses?
An evaporation pond is a shallow body of water typically constructed with a large surface area for the sole purpose of allowing the water to dissipate through the effects of sunlight and heat.
Read More
Must an evaporation pond have a liner?
Typically, an evaporation pond will require a chemical resistant geomembrane liner. The specific type of liner depends on the geographical location of the pond and the purpose for which the pond is constructed.
What is the history of greenhouses?
Although humans have been experimenting with growing plants out of season since ancient times, the forerunner of the modern greenhouse can actually be attributed to a need to grow medicinal plants.
Read More
What are the relative advantages of border planting, pots or bags for greenhouse growing?
Greenhouse gardening can be accomplished in much the same way as field planting. It's just that planting and growing occurs in a confined space, and there are some specific considerations that must be addressed.
Read More
How does a hobby greenhouse differ from a commercial greenhouse?
It is obviously a matter of scale; a backyard or hobby greenhouse is intended to grow food and flowers for a single household or for sharing with a small group of friends and family, while commercial production is designed for profit.
Read More
Should a greenhouse have a solid floor?
Large-scale commercial greenhouses, particularly those that employ alternative agricultural methods, or that grow container crops, sometimes have concrete floors with integral drain systems to facilitate plant irrigation, mechanical harvesting and cleanup of the area.
Read More
Is soil-free gardening -- like Hydroponics and Aquaponics -- suitable for a greenhouse?
Successful large-scale Hydroponic and Aquaponic companies have employed greenhouses in numerous locations throughout the United States, and in nations with diverse climates and soil conditions, including Bermuda, Israel, Spain, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
Read More
What is the average cost of a greenhouse?
There is no easy formula for calculating the cost of a greenhouse.
Read More
What are the main advantages of greenhouse growing?
Since greenhouses were first introduced, the goal has been to provide a more stable environment for growing plants, including both flowers and vegetables, whether for individual use or for commercial purposes.
Read More
Are greenhouses just for urban growing?
No, greenhouses are adaptable to many conditions, especially when combined with new technology that facilitates cultivation of non-native plants in unique ecosystems.
Read More
What types of growing media are recommended for greenhouses?
Premixed media is common for greenhouse growers, designed to achieve recommended porosity and water retention.
Read More
Does a greenhouse need supplementary light?
Depending on the geographic location and the plants you choose to grow, it is possible that your greenhouse will require, during at least part of the year, a supplementary source of light, both for plant growth and for general operation.
Read More
What can be grown in a greenhouse?
With few exceptions, any plants that can be grown in soil will grow in a properly designed greenhouse, while exotic flowers, fruits, vegetables and other crops that are sensitive to temperature, light and weather conditions should thrive under controlled greenhouse conditions.
Read More
Are greenhouse plants susceptible to pest infestations, and is it possible to control pests naturally (organically) in a greenhouse?
Some common agricultural pests can be problematic in a greenhouse, and may be particularly troublesome because use of pesticides and insecticides in a covered, controlled environment is discouraged for both health and safety reasons.
Read More
What is a Hoop House?
Hoop houses, also known as Low or High Tunnels, are a modified form of greenhouse. They are designed to offer cover to crops planted directly in soil.
Read More
What is a High Tunnel Greenhouse?
High Tunnel is simply another term for an economical, semi-permanent, portable type of hoop house used primarily by farmers who grow crops directly in soil.
Read More
What is the best way to control heat buildup in a greenhouse?
Basic requirements for greenhouse growing are light, moisture and the proper temperature for the crops being cultivated.
Read More
Are greenhouses energy-efficient?
Proper siting and knowledge of greenhouse design principles, including selection of appropriate materials, are the major factors in the efficiency of modern greenhouses.
Read More
Can greenhouses be insulated and/or temperature controlled?
The simple answer is yes, and some form of temperature modulation is always required for greenhouses. Temperature control not only compensates for seasonal variations, but also ensures that plants will tolerate the heat from afternoon sun in the summer, and will not be growth-stunted by cold air during the winter.
Read More
What is the best location for a greenhouse, and how should a greenhouse be oriented?
The basic concept of a greenhouse is to take optimal advantage of sunlight and its warmth to grow plants.
Read More
What are the different types of plastic used for Greenhouse ceilings and walls?
Depending on your needs and your budget, there are several types of plastic film or solid material that can be used for the plastic roof and/or sides of a greenhouse.
Read More
What is the best material for greenhouse covering?
There is no single "best" greenhouse covering. It all depends on the design and purpose, and the size of the greenhouse.
Read More
What is meant by Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)?
According to New York State's education program definitions, CEA is a combination of technology-oriented engineering, plant science, and computer management controls that "optimize plant growing systems, plant quality and production efficiency" for greenhouses.
Read More