Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[mobius <mobius@mainestream.us>]

On 12/22/2013 11:13 PM, tradingpost wrote:

52B7B858.5040608@lobo.net" type="cite">I've mentioned this but pictures should help.
greenhouse beds shots from last season, adequate protection down to zero at nite

Nice!  Do you line the boxes to make the wood last longer?

Boy I could use some of that spinach right about now.  For various reasons we didn't manage to grow anything last summer.

I've got three sheets of that double layer plexi stuff to put up a greenhouse.  I forget what it's called, 4' X 12' each, and some lumber, but I haven't figured out quite how to build it so it will:
a. survive the Maine snow
b. still get sun after shedding said snow (keep snow bank from covering the window)
c. keep it warm enough to maybe grow through the winter (or not, may not be feasable)

I've been following all the ideas here with interest but a viable plan just hasn't gelled.

I really like the underground idea to keep it warm but if you go deep enough here (5 ft'?), you'd have a ft of water in the bottom.
The only spot with enough grade faces east, unfortunately.

I'm thinking the best idea may be to make the window almost upright with a deep shed behind it and a strong load bearing roof.
Maybe heat it with compost but I'm not sure how long a pile would make heat without any fresh manure added.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Fred
in Maine
(long time lurker)
....