I do love my FB feed; subscribe to the right pages, friend the right people, and all sorts of useful and interesting things pop up. Like an underground greenhouse; they make perfect sense!
Free PDF with info and instructions on the link - http://growtest.org/underground-greenhouse-manual/
Underground Greenhouse.
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
I have seen a very similar design in use in the south of england on a smallholding I used to help out on as a child, way back in the 60's.
The only differences was that they had arched roofs above ground level, and were deeper underground at the farthest end to the enterance, So, were almost like a standard greenhouse where you entered, but then dissapeared into the gentle slope of a hillside.
They seemed to be incredibly succesfull and I remember that some even had peach trees inside them.
piglet
The only differences was that they had arched roofs above ground level, and were deeper underground at the farthest end to the enterance, So, were almost like a standard greenhouse where you entered, but then dissapeared into the gentle slope of a hillside.
They seemed to be incredibly succesfull and I remember that some even had peach trees inside them.
piglet
ain't settlin'
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
I think they're a wonderful idea; we're limited in a lot of what we can grow here beyond basic root crop staples; fruit trees, for example, simply wouldn't do well. But an underground greenhouse would give us the opportunity to grow things we otherwise wouldn't be able to - as soon as I persuade the HA to let us rent that land, I'm going to twist their arms up their backs and build a Walipini!
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
That site is a great find, thanks!
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
I thin it depends on what you consider to be the SHTF situation. But if its a question of food scarcity and energy abundance, then (eventually once I got myself a place and all that jazz) i was thinking of hydroponic growing of vegetables. Apparently you can get a new crop of lettuces every months that way, but you got some hell of a load of kit to spend money on before that time comes
reperio a solutio
Resident and Co-Ordinator of AREA 2
Area 2 = Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bucks
Resident and Co-Ordinator of AREA 2
Area 2 = Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Bucks
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
We're already where we'd be going, if you see what I mean! So no need for us to leave, simply settle in and carry on.
We're saving up for land too, and, in the meantime, are in the process of making the HA rent us a bit of the land out the back of our house. Once I've got them over the initial shock of that, I'll introduce them, gently, to the concept of the underground greenhouse - I'll have one by next year if all goes to plan
From a bug in PoV, I'd say that as long as you can hide the fact it's there, it's perfect for food production in secret - and there's no bar to hydroponics, in fact, I think being underground would probably be even better for it due to the stability of the temperature.
Once we buy land, then this is a definite for us. Especially given the wind here. Generally hovers around the 20mph mark, but through the gale season, it regularly sits at 50 - 70mph for three or four days at a time, and can easily get to 90mph+. A poly tunnel would have to be dismantled through the winter - an underground greenhouse wouldn't. Can't grow anything from about Nov through to the end of Feb, because we generally get six hours or less of light at that time of year. But it would significantly extend our growing season AND let us grow things we otherwise couldn't.
We're saving up for land too, and, in the meantime, are in the process of making the HA rent us a bit of the land out the back of our house. Once I've got them over the initial shock of that, I'll introduce them, gently, to the concept of the underground greenhouse - I'll have one by next year if all goes to plan
From a bug in PoV, I'd say that as long as you can hide the fact it's there, it's perfect for food production in secret - and there's no bar to hydroponics, in fact, I think being underground would probably be even better for it due to the stability of the temperature.
Once we buy land, then this is a definite for us. Especially given the wind here. Generally hovers around the 20mph mark, but through the gale season, it regularly sits at 50 - 70mph for three or four days at a time, and can easily get to 90mph+. A poly tunnel would have to be dismantled through the winter - an underground greenhouse wouldn't. Can't grow anything from about Nov through to the end of Feb, because we generally get six hours or less of light at that time of year. But it would significantly extend our growing season AND let us grow things we otherwise couldn't.
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Erinlouiser
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
wow that looks fantastic, makes me wish for a bigger garden 
all the space I'm prepared to take up with vegetable growing for the time being is covered with poly tunnels a green house and raised beds already and theres not much garden left now
all the space I'm prepared to take up with vegetable growing for the time being is covered with poly tunnels a green house and raised beds already and theres not much garden left now -
short circuit
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
am going to injoy watching this thread might try make one too red
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short circuit
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
out of true womble junk of coarse if its free I will use it lol
Re: Underground Greenhouse.
Womble junk. I like that and will quite possibly pinch it!
I'll use whatever I can find however I can. I've got tools made out of scraps of wood and dowel. Custom made, to do what I want them to. I use all sorts of things in ways the manufacturers never intended. I've just been offered the use of a pile of very interesting bits and bobs. If it comes to anything, I'll post some pics - need to wait on the weather, as I can only use the welding kit outdoors.
I'll use whatever I can find however I can. I've got tools made out of scraps of wood and dowel. Custom made, to do what I want them to. I use all sorts of things in ways the manufacturers never intended. I've just been offered the use of a pile of very interesting bits and bobs. If it comes to anything, I'll post some pics - need to wait on the weather, as I can only use the welding kit outdoors.