guildfordcycads

So I’m just speculating here, and exploring peoples’ knowledge of this. I was inspired by the wallapini, but know it works best at higher elevations iirc, and different angles of the sun in kentucky.

I imagine a green house that is set into the ground somewhat, perhaps built into a hill, that is angled so the sun falls into it at the best possible angle. Then the greenhouse would be kept warm by water barrels and compost, or a thermal mass heater, not sure what would be a good option yet. Seen ways people have done both, still evaluating.

Idk about lighting. I assume in winter the lesser light hours would mean either less production, which is fine, or no production, which is not. So my thinking is that I’d need to either introduce artificial light, choose cultivars meant for early harvests/cold areas, or both.

If introducing artifical light is a need, that’s difficult. I’d have to get a lot of solar panels abd batteries to keep up with the electricity demands, as well as get a cover to reduce light pollution. I guess using high pressure sodium lights would reduce heating costs though, so there is that.

I’d like to be able to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, maybe regrowing some celery. Basic vegetables that are staples, nothing crazy. Enough to have a moderate supply in the winter.

This is just a start, gonna add more as needed, but if anyone could give their thoughts that’s be great. I realize this would be expensive, but this is a very long term idea/goal.

Hi all!

I just moved into a new house that has a strange south-facing enclosed porch in the back. It currently has multiple screened open-air “windows”, so the room is the same temp as outside. My husband and I have a few ideas for what to do with the space, and one is to turn it into a greenhouse/potting shed. Since it would cost a fortune to put proper glass windows in, I thought maybe polycarbonate panels would suffice, but I wanted to know what y’all thought? I’m in 7b in Oregon, with winter temps regularly dipping below freezing. It doesn’t seem to be well-insulated, so I recognize it won’t stay super warm in the winter, but I’m hoping it’ll be warm enough for starts and maybe even some overwintering veggies. I even figured if we just screw on the polycarbonate I could remove a few in the summer to prevent the room from getting too hot.

Has anyone else undergone a similar project or have any insight into how this might work? Thanks!