George’s Geodesic Greenhouse project – November and December
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Sunday, November 4, 2012
Starting the aquaponics system
I decided to stop fighting the infiltration of dripping water into the greenhouse. It’s impossible to seal out water with film repair tape. Instead I will collect the water and incorporate it into one of my aquaponics or hydroponics systems. I am running more gutter around the inside, just like I did to the outside. I will use EPDM or flashing to direct dripping water into the gutter and I will pump pond water or nutrient solution through, and I will put simple plants right into the gutter.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Putting together an off-grid solar system
I am in the process of sizing and ordering a solar power system for my pumps. I have a 250w panel, and a charge controller and switch panel should come in the mail shortly. I still need a battery, but I have one in mind from the local marine supply (Cabela’s) that shouldn’t cost too much. This is all very experimental. The solar supply companies charge a TON for these items, so I am piecing a system together from general DC power suppliers, mostly designed for boats and RVs. If it works, it will prove that you don’t need the word “solar” on the label of your components and therefore don’t need to pay the premium for trendiness. If it doesn’t, the cost of the individual components isn’t subtantial enough to be considered a waste.
I think I found a battery
A small Duracell golf cart battery made by East Penn Manufacturing (Deka) is $82 at Sam’s club. I think this will be more than sufficient to run 4 amps worth of pumps if the sun is hiding for a few days.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Update on the hubs
So I saw that my most-visited post was how I fashioned the struts and hubs. It’s not surprising that everyone wanted to see how I did this. When I was researching this project, the hub assembly was the only thing I couldn’t figure out. Prior to this design, other options were to buy pre-fabricated metal hubs or try to make them myself. The wood version was much cheaper and easier…
After 6 months or so, everything seems to be holding together fine. Still no heavy snow to really test the strength, but normal expansion and contraction and dampness has not hurt any of the struts that I can see.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Winter growables
I found a good list of cold-weather crops to try next year. To credit the source, here is a link to the University of Missouri article on winter greenhouse growing.
Leafy greens Vegetables Flowers
Arugula Beet Calendula
Chard Bok choi Johnny jump-up
Cilantro Broccoli Linaria (Toadflax)
Collards Broccoli raab Pansy
Cornsalad (Mache) Cabbage
Cress Carrot
Dandelion Kale
Endive Leek
Escarole Onion
Lettuce Pak choi
Mizuna Pea
Mustard
Purslane
Radicchio
Spinach
I have already proven lettuce production in cool weather, but now that night temps are at freezing or below, crops are growing very slowly. Since I am still in construction mode, I am not set up for a good attempt at winter growing, but my pots are doing OK.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
First Snow
We got about 3″ yesterday. The dome was really pretty covered in all white. This morning, as soon as the sun came up, the snow started sliding off. By 11:00 everything was clean except the very top. By mid-afternoon it had melted and blown away. Temperature inside the dome this morning was 35.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
No freezing with 17 degree low
Night time lows have dropped into the teens outside, but I still have yet to see any evidence of frost or freezing inside the dome. I do believe the subterranean heat storage system and the pond are effective in warding off the cold.
