I'm considering building a greenhouse in Colorado Springs, CO. I drew up what I'm thinking for the design in Sketchup. In addition, I'm thinking I'd like to do a climate battery under it. Since I own a trencher and since it's maximum depth is 36" (more realistically, maybe 30") and max width is 4", I'd be thinking of using 3" corrugated for the tubes. I'm figuring 10 runs, double or triple stacked in each trench (so 5 or 4 trenches, depending on whether I double or triple stack). Glazing would be doublewall polycarbonate and maybe throw some greenhouse film over the whole thing during the winter. There would, of course, be vents with fans near the ridge. Foundation would be pressure treated 4x4s on top of a row of concrete blocks. Under that, I'd do a trench with foam sheets and a bit of wire mesh to keep digging critters out. The solid walls would be LP SmartSide panels on the outside (adds rigidity to the structure since we get alot of wind) with insulation on the inside. What I'd like to try to have in the greenhouse is hydroponics and maybe even some hardy tropical fruits, maybe citrus.
How realistic is this? I've seen some of the designs at http://www.ecosystems-design.com/four-season-greenhouses.html and they are actually in harsher parts of Colorado (way up in the mountains), so it seems plausible this might work. Any suggestions or comments on the design?
by auntie_clokwise
4 Comments
Looks pretty good! Have you also considered the use of a water wall on the north side? They work super well with the amount of sun we get here in CO.
What’s your frost depth? 30″ under ground won’t do much. GAHT tubes are recommended 4 and 8 ft below ground. If its a smaller space, the air circulating in winter will not warm up much at all. I had the proper depth but a smaller greenhouse footprint (16x18ft I think) and even with the ground insulated, the air was quite cool coming in the middle of winter in the UT mountains.
I wouldn’t do a gaht for something that small, since you can make and retain heat relatively easily. Active cooling yes, heating no. Either way, your tools/time/money. Find local operators at nurseries/garden centers and ask them, good luck on your journey.
You should check out the work of CO Greenhouse Builders, https://coloradogreenhousebuilders.com/our-work/.
They design and construct the type of gh you’re talking about. There are several of their designs along the front range that I’ve seen. Hope you will post your final product!