Verge Permaculture’s Greenhouse – Alberta, Canada That heat can later be brought back up and be used to heat the greenhouse. The coolest thing about this greenhouse is the annualized geo-solar system, where hot air is collected from the ceiling and pumped underneath the building. Instead, they built a thermally massive concrete wall and floor structure, along with an insulated roof, to keep the heat in. Rather than building a “glass box”, they got rid of the north-facing glass wall that loses heat and doesn’t bring in light.

They also have a bunch of other high and low-tech systems in play which make this building a model for what can be done with a greenhouse in a cold, sunny climate. The Groundswell Community Network’s passive solar community greenhouse has an insulated back wall and an insulated roof. This is not your typical greenhouse design. Passive Solar Community Greenhouse – Groundswell located in Invermere, B.C., Canada The examples below are cold climate greenhouses that can grow food year round, and they all share some common features that you’ll find in my key takeaways at the bottom. If you want to extend your growing season even longer you’ll need more than a minimal frame and thin polyethene plastic covering. Using warm beds and other techniques you can potentially grow food year round, depending on where you live.Ī cold frame or hoop house is a simple and cheap option to get started ( here’s how to build them), but hoop houses are really not designed for cold climates and heavy snow. the “Doomsday Seed Vault”).įor many colder climates a simple cold frame or high tunnel (or any of these 6 DIY greenhouse designs) can extend your season by weeks or even months in both the spring and the fall. You know, the small Norwegian island where you’re required to carry a rifle whenever you go outside the settlements because otherwise a polar bear might eat you (also the place of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a.k.a. They even grow fresh greens on Svalbard these days. But what if you live in a place where it’s really cold or dark for many months of the year? Don’t despair, self-reliant food production is still totally possible!

Greenhouses are great for extending your growing season to 2, 3 or even 4 seasons.

Golden hoof farm greenhouse roof design