Planted my 1st garden in since 2013. Been remodeling on the house, which then called for rehabbing my destroyed back yard! Green beans are up, trying a new way to plant the tomatoes - so have 15 tom plants, some zucchini, squash and peppers. I’ve got 20 okra plants I started from seed that I will transplant in the garden soon, and in a couple of weeks it will be time for black-eyed peas. My husband and I agree you can’t have too many of those.
I am SERIOUSLY thinking of an underground greenhouse! Been wanting one for 4 years or so, but it’s hard to know just how to build it, especially when most of them are designed for more Northerly zones. But we are just getting a tornado room completed & the guy tells me he can build the greenhouse, so I may do that when it’s closer to summer & I don’t have to worry about rain.
Do any of you have advice or information about a sunken greenhouse?
What an intriguing idea. Do you think he’ll be able to rig up some sort of solar panel power, or are you going to rely on electric grow lights?
I am hoping that this year is the year we get our greenhouse/sunroom set up on the back patio. Right now I grow some plants in the winter inside the house in front of that patio door, but it crowds my computer area, and I can’t grow as much fresh stuff as I would like.
I don’t see the + in a greenhouse underground. If you want to start seeds early, south and west exposure with big glass windows will do the trick.
A year ago we started seeds in mid January but found this was pushing us to take our plants outside too early. February 10 this time around is working well for us. All out plants are out, covered by frost blanket covers overnight.
There are some beautiful glass greenhouses on the market. Before you buy, take a critical look at where your sun light comes in and how you can take advantage of it. You may not need a greenhouse.
You got to really watch those okra plants they are like trees! They can become like trees and hard to remove at the end of season.
Build oriented to your strongest and best light of the off-season (generally oriented to Southern/S Eastern exposure)
assuming your predominant winds come from the West.
From the dirt that you dig out, build a berm rise to protect from the prevailing winds (so the wind flows over the structure, not AT it .
Build a small 'step-wall' opposite your black thermal mass wall to maximize your natural sunlight exposure, and thus add to the overall thermal mass. Know what your ground frost depth is (if any), and dig below it by 2 or 3 times the ground frost depth.
Line the back wall against the berm (generally the South wall) with either dark stone, dark concrete, or dark water barrels to increase solar mass & heat retention.
You don't use the water in the barrels; their purpose is strictly thermal mass and heat retention, unless despirite .
Provide floor drainage , preferably 'to light', gravity fed (uses no electric)
Include electrical service for lights, circulation fans , irrigation system , seedling germination .
Don't use glass unless you have a ready supplier - and are willing to spend a small fortune to sustain, .. and it is 'feakin' heavy (ie: stronger structure needed)
Don't use wood unless it is treated to resist decay, and continuous moist conditions ; metal channels are better and longer lasting
Preferably use plastic that is UV resistant (ie: Poly carbonate , 6 mil polyethelene , etc.). If its NOT UV resistant , you will replace it regularly..$$$
Build planting tables at a comfortable height for you, and make them 'reachable' without back strain.
Table size depends on your height, ability to reach, mobility now , as well as in the future.
Allow space for soil /compost/ soil amendments/ pots close the to the planting tables for convenience sake.
Make tables deep enough for root growth , and able enough so that the table won't dry out. Provide for a means of natural, non-energy, circulation and ventilation (especially for summer ), as well as to vent out excess moisture.
include provision for 'shade clothe' for unusual sunny days.
All that being said , consider buying a used greenhouse from someone going 'out of business' , and modify as to your needs , including supplies .
If I recall, there was an older couple (70's) in New England by the name of Scott (Ruth ?) that built what you are looking for.