Most people think of a greenhouse as a very controlled environment. This is true in part, but in spite of all the computerized climate, irrigation, nutrient, and environmental control, growers still have to watch the weather. Just like the old farmer studies the sky to determine wether or not to cut his hay, so the greenhouse grower keeps a close eye on storm systems, temperature extremes and other forms of outside weather facets that can affect his indoor crops. Of course I don't even go outside to look at the sky. No, we've advanced farther than that with modern technology. I just use a program called a "widget" that sits on my desktop and constantly updates the weather forcast from the the Weather Channel, look at a couple of webcams strategically aimed at the horizon and placed near my location on the globe, glance at the latest satelite pic of the Western Hemisphere from NASA, and Voila! I have a pretty good idea of what the outdoor conditions will be like for the next 24-72 hours. I could get really detailed as to what all computers have done for us, but I won't bore you any longer. I mean, I don't have to go outside even to find out if it's raining, my computer tells me!

Posted on July 12th, 2005 by Josh Champagne
Filed under: Research & Learning, Work