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. Primary advantages include focused light, protection from pests, predators, winds and temperature extremes, and the ability to monitor and moderate water and irrigation. Greenhouse growing, in many cases, allows for early planting prior to the "normal" season for some varieties of vegetables, and sometimes results in faster development of fruits such as tomatoes in addition to earlier harvesting of crops like lettuce and leafy greens.
In addition, greenhouse (or hothouse) growing is instrumental to the florist industry, providing tropical plants and flowers year round for sale throughout the country. It is seen by a number of experts as an answer to a growing food crisis, particularly when greenhouse growing is combined with modern soil-free agriculture that includes hydroponics and aquaponics. The promise of greenhouse crops for addressing the food needs of the global population explosion is fueling the development of new agricultural technology, based on the realization that traditional farms will not be able to meet future demands.
