Heath Bat House

If you enjoy nature and all its wildlife, then you may be interested in investing in a bat house. During the summer time, they are known for flying around at dusk, especially if you reside in the rural area. Here at Growers Solution, we have a wide variety of bat houses to choose from, all equipped with additional perks and ranges of numbers of inhabitants.

First, we have the Heath Bat House, which can house up to twelve bats in a single chamber. It has a landing platform for bats to fly to, along with a vent gap for air. It is made completely out of cedar and is capable of surviving for several seasons. When purchased, ideally it should be placed approximately 15 feet off the ground, facing either the South or the Southeast. It is a great house, especially for a small number of bats.

Rubicon Driftwood

Rubicon Hunter Green

 Next, we have the Rubicon in either the driftwood or the hunter green style. It is good for the environment because it is made of recycled plastic milk jugs, so it is virtually indestructible. It is a four-chamber house, able to house about 200 bats.

Also available is the Songbird Essential Bat Attic (regular and junior size) and the Songbird Essentials Single Compartment and Large Bat Chalet. The Attic version is a two chamber, cedar house, allowing 30 bats to occupy. It has a rough interior for better grip and has a slanted front to eliminate waste build up. It is also very easy to mount. The Chalet versions are a single and double compartment house with grooves on the inside for easy gripping. Both are made from cedar and should be mounted about 15-20 feet off the ground.

Songbird Essential
Bat Attic-Regular

Songbirld Essential
Bat Attic-Junior

Songbird Essentials
Bat Chalet

Audubon Cedar
Bat Shelter

Last, but not least, we have the Audubon Cedar Bat Shelter that is a single compartment house, able to house 20 bats. It, too, is made of cedar, red cedar actually, and has a rough interior for the best grip as possible. Not to mention, it is made in the USA.

In conclusion, we offer various bat houses for our customers to house their woody creatures. Each have their own unique quality about them, but all are top products. Do not let your friends go homeless! Invest in a bat house today at Growers Solution! 

There are several countless advantages to growing hydroponically. First, plants can be grown anywhere this way. Anywhere from rooftops, to windowsills, to your living room…there are really no limits as far as location. Second, you have more control over the plant because you have access to the roots and the plant itself. Seeing that the roots are a major part of the plant itself, it is very beneficial to be able to have total access to them at any time. Going off that last statement, because you have total access, you have limited amount of labor as well. Tilling and pulling weeds is unnecessary because without the soil, there is no need to till and weeds will not grow. Fourth, water and nutrient conservation is much more significant. Plants not grown in soil use a lot less water, and the water that is used is used through a continuous system, so it all get recycled basically, without any loss or worrying about whether or not your plant is receiving the full amount. Fifth, pests and diseases are reduced. Sixth, transplanting shock is reduced because the Rockwool or other foam cubes used to grow the seedlings can be placed directly into the new pot, or taken off easily, whereas with a soil-grown plant, the roots have to be dug out and then placed in the new pot. Lastly, soil erosion is reduced because there is no tilling involved, let alone soil for that matter. Some disadvantages include that it can be a bit pricey starting out; however, if the system is done right and the business flourishes as expected and grows at the right pace, then it will eventually pay for itself. Another is that you must be educated on the system. Knowledge is key to anything, especially on how to grow plants hydroponically. It is not something to go into blindly, just because that is a good way to lose all your money. Like anything, research should be done beforehand.

Hydroponics is a growing trend. It can make for a great business or hobby, if done correctly and gone about correctly as well. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages, as with anything, but with care and thought, it can be very beneficial, resulting in satisfying products.

http://www.hort.uconn.edu

Downy mildew can be a death sentence for plants. There are several symptoms that help distinguish whether or not your plants have been affected, but if not taken care of prior or right after, there is pretty much no hope. As a grower, this can be troublesome because that is money and time down the drain so be sure to educate yourself on what to look for and how to treat it.

Downy mildew is a type of oomycete microbes that infect the plant, being an obligate parasite. It is a larger problem for vine plants such as grapes or vegetables, causes foliage blights, and alters the plant. It mainly occurs during the late summer season, but has been known to occur in the wet, brisk seasons as well because the cooler weather allows it to grow more rapidly. It is difficult to treat and fix once symptoms become very visible, so detecting and treating early is vital.

http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu

Symptoms on all plants can vary to an extent. However, most of them include soft, furry spores under the leaves, ranging in colors from gray to brown to purple. On top of the leaves, they will have square shaped yellow areas that are large, which will eventually turn brown. Ultimately, it will kill the tissue inside the leaves, without harming the petioles or the stems. The only thing that really aides in curing downy mildew is using a type of fungicide spray, but like I said earlier, it must be found very soon in order to kill it before it kills the leaves.

Downy mildew is not something to take lightly. It can kill your leaves, resulting in loss of fruit and vegetables, which is something no grower wants to face. Even if you are not sure if your plants are infected by downy mildew, I would still take preventable measures to insure the health of your plants. It never hurts to be safe!

http://www.orkin.com

If you are a grower of plants, then I am sure you have heard or been exposed to thrips, the tiny, but devastating, plant eater. They can ruin your flowers or commercial crops, which means you lose money, time, and your production. In this article, we will discuss what thrips are and how to exterminate them.

Thrips, also called thunder flies, thunder bugs, storm flies, thunder blights, and corn lice, are microscopically small, skinny pests that are approximately 1/5” long, with over 5,000 species. They have fringed wings with a single mandible jaw and they can range in color from yellow, brown, and black. They are not skilled flyers, so they mainly rely on the wind to transport them. They damage plants by puncturing the plant and sucking out the nutrients and substances in the plant. Once they infect the plant, they can cause plant diseases, such as Tospovirus, and over 20 viruses. If your plants are infected with these pests, signs to show can be the leaves turning brown and drying out, or the leaves possessing blackish-silver sheen.

If you think your plants may be infected by thrips, you can do a series of tests and prevention acts. First, you can simply take the leaves, shake them over a white piece of paper, and observe the paper under a microscope. They can then be collected by a paintbrush and preserved in alcohol. White sticky traps can also be put down, as well as spraying certain pesticide treatments. Ways to prevent thrips from moving in or returning are making sure that your greenhouse is free from weeds and plant material around the edge because they love that type of material. Another way to prevent thrips entering your greenhouse is by constructing an air-lock entrance inside. In addition, applying insect screen to the vents and fans will aide in the prevention of them crawling or flying inside. Last, reflective mulch is great for preventing them from getting on the plants. Some of these practices can also be performed in field grown crops as well.

Thrips can be detrimental to your business or hobby. Be sure to do periodic checks to make sure you are clear of those annoying rascals and keep them from inhabiting your production site. Once they attack, they are difficult to completely get rid of, not to mention they are difficult to detect in the first place because they are so small. Do not fall to a victim of thrips!

http://purplemartin.org

Do you enjoy watching wildlife, such as birds? If so, Growers Solution has a wide variety of products for keeping Purple Martins, a species of bird, close to your home so you get continuous enjoyment of watching from your porch or window. With our Purple Martin products, you not only get the privilege of watching them, but you also get to provide them with a home, some being able to house more than one, which is great for you because that’s just more entertainment!

The Purple Martin is the largest swallow on the continent of North America. Its appearance varies depending on sex. The males are usually black with a glossy steel blue mixed in and the females are dark on top with steel blue mixed in as well; however, they are lighter underneath their upper body. They all have a lightly forked tail. In the winter they migrate to the Amazon, but return to North America when it is warm again. In the east, they are very dependent on the houses we sell, which is great for you and the bird.

At Growers Solution, we have three main manufacturers of these houses, each with various styles as well. These manufacturers are S&K, Coates, and Nature House. S&K offers a 12 family house and a 16 family barn all complete with porches, rails, perches, and doors. Both also have additional add ons as well. They also offer a Blue Bird Villa House, if you are more interested or favor blue birds instead. Coates houses are all aluminum and stainless steel. They have a reflective roof, a ceiling panel for ventilation, porch dividers, guard rails, and hinged clean out doors, along with other perks. Nature House is more apartment style facilities, complete with a safety system composed of guardrails, swing-out doors, roof perches, and dry-rust subfloors. They also offer a castle style as well that has individual doors to each compartment, with guard rails, a roof perch, and a winch and cable system for easy maintenance.

S&K

Coates

Nature House

As you can see, we have several possibilities for future homes for these beautiful Purple Martins. Whether their taste is a house, barn, apartment, or castle style, we can meet their preferences. All are complete with safety features and special additions that birds love. Make your beloved wildlife critters happy and provide them with a great place to live today!

http://cdn.greenhousemegastore.com

For the beautiful, picturesque glass greenhouse, one cannot deny that it is flashy and eye appealing. However, you have to have the budget and finances to purchase the pretty glass, and keep up with the care of the materials. Glasshouses do in fact let in a higher level of light and usually last longer than polyethylene houses, but they are also difficult to keep warm during the cold months, which is a major factor with a greenhouse, and they also let in the harmful rays of light that can damage your plants. Sure, they may have better crop protection, if say for instance a heavy, moist snow comes along. The polyethylene house may not be able to withstand the amount of snow, but when you take into account how easily breakable the glass houses are, I still wonder if it is worth it. It will just depend on what part of the country you live in and your normal weather conditions. Not only can it possibly damage your plants with the amount of light let in, but it can also be drafty, not to mention how difficult it is to assemble in the first place. Everything must be perfectly square and precise. So yes, the glass greenhouses may be more expensive looking, but with that expensive look, you also have many negative facts to consider as well.

For the polyethylene greenhouse, it also has its share of flaws. For instance, there are reduced light conditions in the winter because of the double layer of poly. In addition, there is increased humidity and it usually does not have as long as a lifespan as the glass house. On the contrary, polyethylene is less expensive to build and less expensive to keep heated because of the double layer poly, which keeps it thoroughly insulated. Aside from this, polyethylene houses can be put in various types of climate regions across the country and is abundant in its light diffusion. With that, it also blocks out the bad ultraviolet light that can have a negative effect on your greenhouse plants. Overall, the polyethylene greenhouse has significant advantages that should not be overlooked.

So polyethylene greenhouse or glass greenhouse? Obviously, each have their own unique qualities that can make them more preferred over the other. The glass houses last longer, but the polyethylene is less expensive by a long shot and is easy to build yourself. No matter my choice, you must pick the one that best suites you, your financial state, and your weather conditions. However, if you choose to go with the poly route, I urge you to let Grower’s Solution be your supplier.

http://www.cocoponics.co/

Rootcubes can be very beneficial to a gardener by making the labor less extensive and providing more desirable plants. Rootcubes can be used for seeds as well as for stem cuttings and the directions to both are easy to follow, making it extremely difficult to mess up. They are ideal for starting seeds that will eventually be transplanted into a soil-less or soil medium. They are equipped with a neutral pH throughout and a two-week supply of starter fertilizer. Here at Growers Solution, we offer a top brand, Oasis Rootcubes, which are positively reviewed plant starters that should not be overlooked by the grower. If you want faster growing plants, with less work to be done while planting, then I recommend trying Oasis Rootcubes on your next planting project.

Oasis Rootcubes are squares of soil with pre-made holes for the seeds, which are placed directly into a flat. Before you even begin planting, make sure that the cubes are completely drenched with water. They can hold up to 40 times their weight, so be sure they are completely soaked. When using a typical 1020 tray, be sure to fill the tray with 1 gallon of tap water. Then place the saturated cubes in the tray and tilt the it to make sure the cubes are completely wet and secure, while letting the unused water drain away and be sure that no more than 1/8 inch of water is in the bottom of the tray. Next, place the seed(s) in the pre-made hole. All that is left after that is keeping the plants moist and waiting for germination to take place. Begin to add more water when the weight is half of when it was first full. When adding the water, add it at the edge of the tray for equal amount of water distribution and weight disperse. Once you add water, you can also begin adding fertilizer. Typically, it will be about two weeks after seed germination, and you will want to use a mild fertilizer. When using cubes in less than a full sheet, keep the cubes together in a single block until they are ready to be transplanted because it helps them retain water. Besides that, the rest is the same steps as described above.

As I stated before, you can also use Oasis Rootcubes with stem cuttings with an easy process. Saturate the cubes and retrieve a stem cutting about 3-5 inches from the growing tip. Then, dip the cutting in the rooting hormone and place in the pre-punched hole in the cube. When you place the cutting in the hole, it is very, very, very important that you place it in at the right depth into the hole and soil. They should be stuck in at least 1/3 of the cube depth and no more than 3/4. If the diameter of the cutting is smaller than the pre-punched hole, then simply stick the cutting in the cube directly beside the hole.  Within 5-10 days, a callous will form and then total propagation will begin within 14-21 days. When growing these plants, be sure that the heat under the flats is maintained at 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and after the roots appear, you can begin fertilizing and then soon transplant.

When transplanting from Oasis Rootcubes, make sure the cubes are completely soaked beforehand. Then, separate each plant, keeping the cube intact, and be sure to not break the cube away from the root. Next, cover each cube with about ¼ inch of soil. Then just water the plants regularly.

The Oasis Rootcubes are fairly easy to use and can help maximize plant growth. Top quality plants will be produced and whether you sell these to customers or keep the plants to yourself, you will be very satisfied with the results after using Oasis Rootcubes. By taking away labor and adding value to your plants, what is there to lose from trying Oasis Rootcubes with your next plant project? 

http://www.colourbox.com

If you are one of those eager growers that is ready to get their seeds in the soil as quickly as possible, then these products are going to interest you because they are all about getting that jump-start on planting before the last frost. Here at Grower’s Solution, we offer a variety of products that better your garden or greenhouse, and help you have the best products possible. To keep your plants nice and toasty for early planting, we have items such as Dewitt’s Thermal Blanket, DuPont Pointbond Featherweight Row and Seed Bed Cover, Hot Kaps, and N-Sulate Frost-Winter Blanket. Each of these products has unique features that allow your plants reach their greatest potential as soon as possible.

http://www.agriculture
solutions.com

The Dewitt’s Thermal Blanket is a white polypropylene that is not woven and is needle punched. It covers the plants, while still letting rain and irrigation in and holding the heat in as well. You won’t have to worry about your plants burning or dying from too much heat either because this blanket can be left on, even on the sunniest of days. This item is ideal because it is worry-free and maximizes growth easily.

The DuPont Pointbond Feather Weight Row and Seed Bed Cover is great because it is reusable for many seasons to come if handled with care. They are preferred because they screen out annoying pests and bugs, while allowing you to start early planting with results of 90-95% seed germination, as compared to hay or straw that only gives results of 60-65% seed germination. As you can tell, this item is very versatile in all the contributions it possesses to making the most out of your growing and selling season.

The next item, Hot Kaps, are known across the nation thanks to the Martha Stewart show. Hot Kaps are mini teepee houses that are simply placed and attached over your plants and crops. They protect the plants until they are fully rooted and they can lengthen your growing season by 2-4 weeks. This item, like the DuPont Pointbond Feather Weight Row and Seed Bed Cover, helps protect the plant from too much sun exposure and unwanted insects. Hot Kaps have actually been around for more than 60 years. They were originally created by Germanco Commercial Growers and are made of a waxed paper. As you can tell, these Hot Kaps are a great product that is ideal for protection.

http://img.weiku.com

The last product I would recommend for early seed starting is the N-Sulate Frost-Winter Blanket, which protects from the severe cold and freezing temperatures. They are made up of a UV-treated fabric and they are virtually easy to install. You simply cover the plants as you would cover yourself with a blanket, except you should make sure it is secure and can live through the earthly elements, such as wind.

Overall, all these products are great ways of starting early germination. They all provide heat, which is vital to early plants, while also providing protection from worldly conditions such as unwanted pests, severe temperatures, and wind gusts, which all can damage plants, especially young plants. I would highly recommend these products, whether your planting season has started already or not, and they are all available at Grower’s Solution.