Winter Greenhouse Guide Published

If we are going to build effective community-based food systems in temperate regions we will have to find ways to extend our growing seasons without consuming fossil fuels. This includes places globally where winter daylight is sparse or overnight freezes are likely (for example, most of the U.S., Europe north of the Mediterranean countries, or southern reaches of Africa and South America) but also semi-tropical regions where growth slows during cooler days. Japan and Italy have made extensive use of greenhouses for decades, but these mostly depend on fossil fuel heat.

Two pioneers in showing that farmers in temperate climate can grow food in the winter months with less reliance upon oil are Chuck Waibel and Carol Ford, owners of the Garden Goddess greenhouse in western Minnesota. The couple runs a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm that ships fresh greens every winter, from October to April, to their neighbors.

Chuck and Carol just published a do-it-yourself guidebook titled The Northlands Winter Greenhouse Manual (disclosure: I wrote the foreword to their book) that provides all the information you would need to build your own greenhouse and get it running. The book shows plans for the greenhouse they constructed, offers tips on how to manage such an operation, and gives detailed comments on the plants that have worked out best in their space.

I first visited the greenhouse one January day when the wind chill was 13 below. The plants were snug and warm, clearly thriving despite the staunch winds outside. At sunset, when I entered the greenhouse, the indoor temperature was 65 degrees. Chuck chuckled as he told me that he had to open the greenhouse door for an hour or so prior to my arrival, so I would not be too hot. It had been 85 degrees in mid-afternoon.

Leaves shining, roots planted firmly in organic soil, and happily humid, the fresh greens were a welcome respite to winter winds and blowing snow. The mustard greens had a sharp, tart taste. Red, green, and purple colors competed for attention as I gazed around the greenhouse.

The secret to Garden Goddess’ greenhouse is that Ford and Waibel invested in careful construction on the front end, so that little fossil fuel heat would be required to heat the growing space. Warm air from the sun is funneled down to sand and gravel stored below the soil. When this warm air rises, it heats both soil and greenhouse. Chuck estimates it requires about $50 of propane per year to heat the space, through a supplemental heater that kicks in if the temperature falls below 45.

Building more greenhouses modeled after Carol and Chuck’s is the northland’s most essential strategy for extending our independence. Now, you can do it too.

For more information, and to purchase Northlands Greenhouse Manual

Ken Meter is one of the most accomplished food-system analysts in the U.S., integrating market analysis, business development, systems thinking, and social concerns.  As president of Crossroads Resource Center in Minneapolis, Meter holds 38 years experience in inner-city and rural community capacity building.  His Finding Food in Farm Country studies have promoted local food networks in 45 regions in 20 states, and one Canadian province.  He heads the proposal review process for USDA Community Food Projects.  Meter taught economics at the University of Minnesota, and the Harvard Kennedy School.  He also directed the public input and indicators selection process for the city of Minneapolis Sustainability Initiative, which won a national award.