Earth-bermed Citrus Greenhouse
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to share. I'm experimenting with an earth-bermed semi-underground hoop house that I built from April-Nov of this year. It is 50ft long and has two rubber-lined planter cells that are about 2ft deep. There is 4" of crushed stone at the bottom, 2" of sand, and then the rest is the following mixture: 2 parts topsoil from the site, 1 part composted wood chips, .5 part (sand/perlite/vermiculite), and .25 part (bat guano, coffee grounds, greensand, and composted chicken bedding). Water level is monitored and circulated with a bilge pump. The walkway is about 3 feet below grade level and the plastic is held down by a row of hay bales. The greenhouse is accessed via the door at the South end and the north end is a rammed-earth tire wall with soil behind it. This winter I have a Gold Nugget and Washington navel planted in it to see how it performs. They seem to like the soil mix so far and it is loaded with earthworms and red wiggles. Ambient temperature inside so far has stayed above freezing (outside low of 20) but it's supposed to get into the upper teens this week. My question is, how many dwarf citrus trees could I fit into a 50' planter cell? I was thinking 5 on each side. Would you squeeze more? Any other considerations? I may do some supplemental LED lights next winter since I already have a solar panel and battery. Thanks. More info at http://freevilleearthship.blogspot.com
Comments (9)
11 years ago- 11 years ago
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Zen...here's a picture from the outside...until I polish up the bottles in the spring. Thanks fruitnut - I might have to do little propane heaters on the really cold nights. I'm banking on the passive geothermal and thermal mass properties.
- 11 years ago
- 11 years ago
11 years agoI would max out at 8 each side. The tree closest to the south wall will get very little light For lighting daylight florescent lights will produce the needed light and add the beneficial heat desired by the plants. As creative as you are you'll be able to seporate the ballast and run wire clips to the bulb's tips and place the bulbs exactly in the best places. The best fixture will waste over 60% of its light by shining into the housing. Led's will be best as spot/flood lights that send 100% of the light onto the trees. This is done by the angle of the diodes that shine in one direction. The price on LED's will come down in 5 years and will be the only choice for cost effective growing. Meanwhile, use T-8's or CFL's.
My greenhouse is buried in between my garage wall on the south and my heated house on the north. The glazing leans from the garage roof to just under the 3rd floor. You will do a lot better than any traditional greenhouses that are on the market.
The picture below give an overview. On the inside i will put up a string of vanity strip light so I can us CFL flood lights to send all my light down on the trees and not scattering all over the place. In your GH you would do best using these strips fasten to the roof beams that are over the beds themselves, not the center length rib. Check the video of my internal setup. Most wil not, but some will apply to you
Here is a link that might be useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8-nVd3r8vw
11 years ago
8 years ago
cdevoeOriginal Author