Chinese solar greenhouse

RustBeltCowgirl

This just came out in my latest Mother Earth Gardening newsletter.

https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/chinese-greenhouses-for-winter-gardening-zm0z17amzmul?utm_source=wcemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MEN%20GDN%20eNews%2012-15-20&wc_totalkey=X5wGJxnYoynG5fr58mYBbplSXAQt6YoGNxNUT63WxsmBNglPawvfWBi-X6KTC_Db3wsrlA4J4cKaZs5Vwl4Tbg

It says that they can grow food in India with temps dipping to minus 17 F.

Hassena

This is awesome.

We are turning our front porch into a passive solar greenhouse. There's a lot of planning involved. Making sure the orientation is right for the winter and summer sun.

There are a few books on chinese greenhouses too.

Are you considering building one?

frogvalley

I would love to make one of these. I seem to keep getting pulled into helping the kids instead of experimenting these days. Alas, one day all my projects will be or won't be. It sure is fun to look at what others find and dream about what I could do.

dottile46

I have wondered if you could compost in a greenhouse during the winter. Didn't think about using the composting action as a heat source.

The picture with the headline reminds me of the pit greenhouse that Lynn Gillespie has on her farm.

Thanks for sharing. What a cool article.

RustBeltCowgirl

@Hassena "Are you considering building one?" Not here in Ohio, but relocating to NM, it would be an option.

Hassena

Good day @RustBeltCowgirl

Yes we are! Hopefully in 2022. We have some goat and bee projects next year.

Our front porch faces south. Perfect for winter sun. The roof and windows will be orientated to provide some shade from the summer sun. Whilst allowing winter sun to shine in.

The porch is concrete. The concrete will absorb heat during the day and release at night

We will remove the roof, replacing it for better rain water and solar harvesting.

Permies.com and this website have been most helpful.

https://bradford.missouri.edu/passive-solar-greenhouse/