Peter Wilkinson

Hey Miles,

The summer we're good! The top has hatches as does the bottom (about 4' off the greenhouse floor).

I'll look into the blanket idea, sounds interesting! I've considered the black drums, it might be an option, I have to keep aesthetics in mind though (which is a pain) as the space serves as a certain media tool... barrels on wheels might work though...

I guess I'll see today, first snow of the season in Halifax today!

Thanks,

Peter

Hi there friends,

I have recently taken over a project in Halifax, Nova Scotia... and may have bitten off slightly more than I can chew. I'm running a large passive solar greenhouse space and setting it up for micrograms production and using it as an inspiration for the community thats its located in. Examples of aquaponics, drip irrigation etc. Its all going well but there are a couple of things I needs some advice on.

Firstly, wintertime heating: Its passive solar but not bermed like an Earthship. It has a thick back wall but the south east facing front is not glass but some sort of semi transparent plastic. I need to raise the temperature a few degrees but we are not on the grid, we have a good solar system (12 large panels, inverted with 50/60V output) not sure of the total output yet (I have meeting with the solar guy this week hopefully). I'm looking for ideas how to heat this large space (32' x 20' x 12') using a solar rig. Or exceptional passive heating methods. Oh, I can't use fire or gas for insurance reasons.

Second problem, Ventilation: So the building was built pretty tight but I've started to notice some while holds on some of the plants, I think its due to stagnant air/ bad ventilation. The greenhouse wasn't designed with a vent system so again I need to rig something up or manage it somehow. The main problem is the cold winter in Nova Scotia, I obviously want to draw away humidity, circulate air around the space but not loose heat and, again, not too much power consumption because of the solar rig.

I've worked on a bunch of farms and agricultural projects but not a large scale greenhouse and, being that its just me, I could really use some help!!

SUMMARY:

1) Wintertime greenhouse heating ideas? (Solar powered or passive only)
2) Wintertime Greenhouse ventilation ideas? (Solar powered or passive only)

Any idea would be great, I've reached bit of a stalemate...

Many, many thanks guys,

Peter

Miles and Alley,

Thank you ever so much for your help. I'll look into Salt Spring Alley.

Miles, I appreciate you spreading the word. Hopefully something comes from it!

Peter

Hi All,

This is my first posting and I'm turning to this community to hopefully throw some ideas my way... as I feel a bit stuck!

My name is Peter, I'm 32, originally from the UK but now living in Canada. I'm currently living in Vancouver, BC. I just moved here as my wife has started law school. I, on the other hand, am hoping to expand my experience and prepare myself for a more rural existence and hopefully build a homestead when sufficient finances materialize.

In the meantime I would like to have a regular yet flexible relationship with a knowledgeable and hands-on homesteader/ farmer/ land owner that I could work with for free in exchange for their experience. If the location is a reasonable distance from Vancouver I would propose three consecutive days on site (Where I would camp) and then I would whizz back to the city before I got in too much trouble with my wife! Alternatively I could do a full, intensive month and then potentially another stint a few months later. I'm open to suggestions.

I've been working within the permaculture/ sustainable living realm for a couple of years now. Initially on Project Bonafide in Nicaragua, then some farms in Northern California. More recently I build an Earthship in Taos and a Tiny house in Vancouver. I feel fairly confident in these endevours but still have a lot to learn!

If anyone has any suggestions where to search for this idea, knows of any small permaculture (or similar) projects in the SW BC area, or someone who is looking for me (!) then please let me know.

My email is peterwilko@gmail.com

All the very best,

Peter