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Abstract

This greenhouse design project is geared for use in the Northern California coastal region, which is known for its cool, wet winters [1]. The combination of frequent rainfall (between 5-7 inches of rainfall per month from November through March), sparse sunlight, and cool temperatures (average daily min around 40F to average daily max around 55F)[2] can make local gardening[4] and agriculture difficult. The constant excess of moisture and lack of drying warmth lead to a host of problems including soil compaction, mold, and other problems which affect both plants as well as composting microbes and earthworms[3].

The purpose of the project is to overcome some of these constraints. The greenhouse design must effectively raise the minimum daily temperature relative to the outside air and effectively protect the plants, compost, and vermiculture bin from the elements[4][5][6]. Ideally, construction will be complete before winter ends (before the end of March, according to typical Arcata, CA climatology) so that weather conditions will be at their worst and the degree of success will be easiest to measure. Temperature readings will be taken at least twice daily, once around sunrise at T-min, and another late in the afternoon, typically T-max. A series of warm, generally summer-only plants will be grown as early on as possible in order to gauge practical as well as qualitative success.

The broad-scale goal is to demonstrate an appropriate means of increasing food production during the winter on a small-scale, supporting both sustainable living as well as community agriculture.

Combining a greenhouse with a composting unit has two added benefits: heat and "CO2 enrichment". In commercial greenhouse operations, CO2 enrichment is used extensively to boost yields. CO2 concentrations are raised to 1000-1500 ppm, which can double yields as long as other variables (light, water, moisture, temperature) are not constraints[7]. The most widely used carbon source is unfortunately a fossil fuel, natural gas. Composting inside the greenhouse creates the same effect, but in a more climate-friendly way.

The concept can be further extended by the addition of biochar to vermicompost. Applied in moderate amounts, biochar has no adverse effects on worms and, according so some observers, can speed up the composting process. It tends to prevent anaerobic conditions in compost[5].

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Construction

Construction Gallery

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Testing Results

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Maximum and minimum temperatures over a 10-day period, including cloudy and sunny conditions. The objective to raise the daily maximum temperature was clearly met. The addition of plants and compost and the resulting increase in interior thermal mass should increase the daily minimum as well, once those elements are incorporated.

Next Steps

-Incorporation of Vermiculture and compost. Time constrictions prevented early implementation of these aspects, but will be updated as the project develops through the summer 2011.

-Testing and experimentation of various plant species, particularly peppers and tomatoes over the summer, then a transition to leafy greens through the winter.

-Monitoring of structural integrity and overall effectiveness of the greenhouse enclosure.

Opportunity definitions

Who:

This project was designed for a small community garden consisting of 2.5 households and roughly 6-10 persons.

What:

The greenhouse itself covers a roughly 7-foot by 7-foot footprint and be constructed as cheaply and as environmentally-friendly as possible by using reclaimed materials and sustainably-harvested timber whenever feasible.

Why:

A main broad-scale goal is to promote local food production. The existing garden is limited by winter moisture and colder temperatures from November until March, so this greenhouse is intended to extend the growing season and expand composting capability throughout the year.


When:

Construction and monitoring will take place from early March to early May 2011, with additions and modifications continuing in perpetuity according to the community's needs.

Where:

Arcata, CA.

Evaluation Criteria

This table provides a framework for determining the success or failure of the project as well to steer its design.

Criteria Constraints Weight (0-10)
Durability Must stand up to continuous use and require less than an hour of direct maintenance a month. 9
Safety Must not cause harm, particularly in the event of glass breakage. 6
Effectiveness Must be able to raise the maximum daily temperature by at least 20F, even under cloudy conditions. 10
Room Humans of average height (5'9")[6] must be able to stand and work comfortably within greenhouse. 6
Practicality Must be able to contain and support a variety of plants in beds and shelved planters. 7
Weather-ability Must provide adequate rain protection and withstand moisture and occasional wind typical of Humboldt County, California 9
Sustainability Must use reclaimed materials and/or sustainably-harvested timber. 10
Aesthetics Must fit the local context and be pleasing to the eye. 5

Budget

Quantity Material Needed Source Cost Total Cost
2 6.5 foot by 2.5 glass panels Reclaimed free free
1 box 2.5" screws Ace Hardware $8.69 $8.69
4 7'*4"*4" redwood (FSC cert) Almquist Lumber $1.39/boardfoot $66.72
5 5'*4"*2" Douglas Fir (FSC cert) Almquist Lumber $1.29/boardfoot $32.25
4 4'*8' Solexx[8] panels Water Planet, Arcata, CA $51 $204
Combined total cost $311.66

Lessons Learned

Project by Jeremy Battles

Although the use of reclaimed materials was weighted heavily in the design process, re-using material is often much more difficult to work with. For example, there were originally 4 available reclaimed glass panels which would consist of both the front and roof of the greenhouse. One panel was completely shattered while handling it. Fortunately, the glass was tempered safety glass (safety being another criterion of the design), and it was a matter of simply sweeping up the debris. Reclaimed glass was originally intended to be used exclusively, but experience with the aforementioned panels would have made such an undertaking time-prohibitive. Hence, the Solexx[7] panels were chosen. Although they ended up making up the bulk of the budgeted cost, the panels are much easier to work with.

Another lesson learned: Community partnerships are of overriding importance. This project happened to fill a need nicely, and the project was able to be tailored to those needs early on, which minimized major adjustments to the design later on.

References

  1. http://www.eoearth.org/article/K%C3%B6ppen_Climate_Classification_System?topic=49664
  2. http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=64537&refer=&units=us
  3. http://compost.css.cornell.edu/odors/excess.moisture.html
  4. Bartok, John W (1936). Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners, NRAES;137, Natural Resource Agriculture and Engineering Service, New York
  5. McCullagh, James C (1978). The Solar Greenhouse Book, Rodale Press, Pennsylvania
  6. Abraham, George and Kathy (1984). Organic Gardening Under Glass, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York
  7. Madsen, Erik (1968). "Effect of CO2-Concentration on the Accumulation of Starch and Sugar in Tomato Leaves." Physiologia Plantarum, 21(1), 168-175.
  8. http://solexx.com/


Bartok, John W (1936). Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners, NRAES;137, Natural Resource Agriculture and Engineering Service, New York

McCullagh, James C (1978). The Solar Greenhouse Book, Rodale Press, Pennsylvania

Abraham, George and Kathy (1984). Organic Gardening Under Glass, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York

Madsen, Erik (1968). "Effect of CO2-Concentration on the Accumulation of Starch and Sugar in Tomato Leaves." Physiologia Plantarum, 21(1), 168-175.

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