Matt Harrison wrote:Newbie looking to rebuild a 100' x 20' greenhouse and having trouble deciding what setup to go with. The greenhouse will serve the aquaponic and worm systems.
We want to heat the space as economical as possible and feel geothermal is the way to go, but haven't found a lot of resources.
We are also confused by all the options i.e. 1 or 2 layers, side curtains etc.
Cost is always a factor but we want a system that will work well.
Our questions to the community are:
What is necessary?
What systems have you worked with?
What systems do you like?
What local vendors do you recommend?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
V/R
Matt
So whats local? I've never bought
greenhouse supplies - but I sure have put a bunch of them up and worked in a good many of them.
Single vs double layer - basically a double walled
greenhouse with a 4 inch air gap will extend your climate zone further. Here in the PNW a double walled
greenhouse has been the only way thus far I've had much success growing melons and eggplants.
Really any configuration will work to extend season - from houses to tunnels. Tunnels are way easier to set up tear down and move. You can set up a pretty epic tunnel by pounding
rebar stakes at intervals, using 3/4 inch flexible pvc pipe to make an arch between your two spaced rebar anchors and on down the line as long as you want. Hold the tension with 3 good ropes running lengthwise (perpendicular to your arches) and anchor them at the ends. I like these tunnels because they go up and come down in less than 30 minutes once you get the hang of it.
For an aquaponics set up you might want something more permanent like a standard
wood or metal pipe framed house. I would recommend the pipe because its easier to tie ropes on at intervals to allow you to raise your sides to control ventilation and temperature. Just slide up the siding and tie a hitch to hold it up, untie and pull it back down at night.
I've worked in some pretty massive high hoop tunnels (20 foot ceiling? 15 at least) which are supper wide - you could grow an orchard in them if you wanted. I think these would be great for a set up where you can hold way lots thermal mass in
water and allow you to create any sort of ecosystem you can imagine. They're also expensive - the particular one I'm thinking of was at an institution not a private home or business. They also can collapse due to snow. This is a big problem with most fixed
greenhouse - which is another reason I like the easy up tunnels.
I don't know if that was clear or not since I have a good mental image and I'm not sure if I conveyed it well or not.
