Post by goatlady on Nov 28, 2015 12:00:39 GMT -5
With things the way they are...we decided to get a little more self-sufficient. Because we live in a colder climate here in Wisconsin, we needed to figure out a way to grow our own food year around and this is what we decided on trying.
It's not finished yet, but this is our Wisconsin walipini. It is an earth sheltered greenhouse. We plan on doing some aquaponics in here so the structure is divided into two rooms. The far side in this picture is the growing area and the near side is the fish room. I did not want to raise the traditional talapia in mine because I really don't like talapia so I needed another room that will be kept cool enough to raise perch and/or bluegill. The fish room will have a flat covered roof on it so the sun does not heat that area. The thing is massive. It's 35' x 25' and almost 20' high at the highest point. We should be able to grow some small trees at the back of the structure. I am excited to see how this thing performs. I don't know of another one quite like it anywhere close to us and it's already getting a lot of attention. It's pretty exciting. We have already had our share of ups and downs with it though. Some days I want to take a bulldozer after it and bury the whole thing. We are thinking that we will be ready to glaze sometime today and have the greenhouse area closed in by Monday. *fingers crossed*
Here is a concept photo that I drew. This is what it "should" look like when it is done. The little area that sticks out on the right hand side is a little root cellar and will be completely underground. I put that on because I had considered starting a CSA if there is an abundance of vegetables and thought that might be a good place to store boxes for pickup.
This photo shows the solar battery at the back. There is also a climate battery underground. We are trying to operate this with no or very little supplemental heating.
Here is a shot from the inside.
All the sheeting you see on the roof is for a straightening guide and will be taken off and replaced with the glazing.
It's not finished yet, but this is our Wisconsin walipini. It is an earth sheltered greenhouse. We plan on doing some aquaponics in here so the structure is divided into two rooms. The far side in this picture is the growing area and the near side is the fish room. I did not want to raise the traditional talapia in mine because I really don't like talapia so I needed another room that will be kept cool enough to raise perch and/or bluegill. The fish room will have a flat covered roof on it so the sun does not heat that area. The thing is massive. It's 35' x 25' and almost 20' high at the highest point. We should be able to grow some small trees at the back of the structure. I am excited to see how this thing performs. I don't know of another one quite like it anywhere close to us and it's already getting a lot of attention. It's pretty exciting. We have already had our share of ups and downs with it though. Some days I want to take a bulldozer after it and bury the whole thing. We are thinking that we will be ready to glaze sometime today and have the greenhouse area closed in by Monday. *fingers crossed*
Here is a concept photo that I drew. This is what it "should" look like when it is done. The little area that sticks out on the right hand side is a little root cellar and will be completely underground. I put that on because I had considered starting a CSA if there is an abundance of vegetables and thought that might be a good place to store boxes for pickup.
This photo shows the solar battery at the back. There is also a climate battery underground. We are trying to operate this with no or very little supplemental heating.
Here is a shot from the inside.
All the sheeting you see on the roof is for a straightening guide and will be taken off and replaced with the glazing.
