We must be thinking about this more lately because the rainfall here is so erratic, and because we lost so many plants this week to a completely unforecast freeze after nursing them through the drought all summer and finally getting some production off of them in recent weeks. I'm lost in admiration of the new book my husband received in the mail today, with detailed plans for a combination greenhouse and aquaponics system. There is a tall cylinder in the middle to hold a catfish tank, surrounded by a circular path, and lower aquaponics tanks on the perimeter. You feed the fish, and they feed the plants. This version is made from a kit meant for the top of a silo. The authors suggest that an alternative version would include a hottub surrounded by flowers.
Weatherproof agriculture
We must be thinking about this more lately because the rainfall here is so erratic, and because we lost so many plants this week to a completely unforecast freeze after nursing them through the drought all summer and finally getting some production off of them in recent weeks. I'm lost in admiration of the new book my husband received in the mail today, with detailed plans for a combination greenhouse and aquaponics system. There is a tall cylinder in the middle to hold a catfish tank, surrounded by a circular path, and lower aquaponics tanks on the perimeter. You feed the fish, and they feed the plants. This version is made from a kit meant for the top of a silo. The authors suggest that an alternative version would include a hottub surrounded by flowers.
I wonder how well that would work in Montana...in winter....hmmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteThx for the tip on the book. Also, I think I may have gone to school with the author. How cool would that be?
It's aimed at somewhat cold climates. In fact, we're wondering how well it will work here, where our plants more often suffer from the heat than from the cold.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see old classmates make a splash in the world, isn't it?
DL Sly, I suppose it would depend on where in Montana. Cutbank would not work well at all. Elsewhere, with a climate something like Reno, the greenhouse would be fine with some nighttime/cloudy day heating. That would likely cost a fortune. Montana might be viable for Gucci horticulture.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, that reminds me of the peace lilly suspended with roots in a water filled vase with a Siamese fighting fish living in it. The fish feeds and trims the plants roots, and the plant feeds the fish and cleans the water. Just don't let them get too cold- the fish don't respond well. Don't ask me how I know.
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