designing your greenhouse for efficiency
TRANSCRIPT
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Tunnel Efficiencies
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This talk will be on my blog..
www.michael-kilpatrick.com
http://www.michael-kilpatrick.com
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Background Ran Kilpatrick Family Farm 2004-2015
Have interned at Polyface, Inc, Pleasant Valley Farm, collaborated with Eliot Coleman, others.
Now consult full-time for clients/companies from Alaska to New York
Work with Four Season Tools as an Agricultural Specialist.
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Passionate about
Helping small farms become sustainable and effective businesses
Four season farming and season extension
Slow Tools and machinery outfitting for small farms
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1/22/10 8:55 AM9778 State Route 22, Middle Granville, NY 12849 - Google Maps
Page 1 of 1http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=92849&ll=42.747012,-74.256592&spn=10.937574,23.181152&z=6&pw=2
Address 9778 State Route 22Middle Granville, NY 12849
2009 Google - Map data 2009 Google, Tele Atlas -
We were in Middle Granville, NY - an hour north of Albany, NY Zone 4b
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Kilpatrick Family Farm
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12-15 acres in vegetables
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25-30 Acres in Cover Crop
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8 full time employees
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1/3rd acre of Tunnels
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3,000 yards of compost annually
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4 Summer Markets
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3 winter markets
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Income $450000+
21% gross profit margin
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Income $450000+
21% gross profit margin
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Where are we going today?
A few basics
Tunnel size
Plastic Options
Rowcovers/ Low Tunnels
Inside Covers
Propagation House Efficiencies
Endwall Options
Ventilation
Movable Houses
Watering Efficiencies
Heating
Crop Economics
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E-W or N-S?
whatever the grade will allow above 40 degrees east-west below 40 degrees doesnt matter
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Tunnel location
not under trees, shaded, power poles protected from high winds watch north sides of mountains high and dry is always good- not on a flood
plain
difference is summer and winter shade
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drainage
a 30 X 100 tunnel will shed 1800 gallons from a 1 of rain.
where is that going to go? drain tile buried around edge back filled
with crushed stone
can drain to a cistern for reuse.
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What is your tunnel for? Winter production
washing shed
propagation house
heated production
hydroponics
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High Sidewalls
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Tunnel size considerations
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30 vs 34 ft house
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14 K 14 K
58 K
Area of hoophouses 28,000 cubic ft
Area of high tunnel 58,000 cubic ft
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smaller houses have more edge effect
1/6.81/12.5
4500 Sq. FT 4500 Sq. FT
1 30X150 house vs 2 15X150 houses
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BIG 40 X 200
high sidewalls/with rollups
groundheat
peak vents
metal framed polycarbonate/poly end walls
The perfect greenhouse
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Thermal Film (IR)Infrared heat blocking additivesreduce radiant energy loss. Can
block IR heat loss by half , which is15-25% of total heat loss at night.
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Plastic Options
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Anti-Condensate Plastic (AC)
Anti-fog surfactants make polycovering less repellant to water.
Condensate will sheet and run downto the sides of the structure rather
than bead and drop on the foliage ofplants below. Condensation also
reduces light transmission.39
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Pete JohnsonPetes Greens
Agrotech.com
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polycarbonate-Nolts Produce Supply
1-717-656-9764
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www.northerngreenhousesupply.com
Woven Greenhouse Plastic
http://www.northerngreenhousesupply.com
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Solawrap
20 + year lifespan
hail + wind proof
1.7 R Value
diffuses light very well
Picture courtesy Solawrap
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Courtesy Adam Lemieux/Johnnys Seeds
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Courtesy Adam Lemieux/Johnnys Seeds
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Courtesy Adam Lemieux/Johnnys Seeds
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Hip board- extra strip for snow shedding
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Double layer or single
only reason for single is if trying to get maximum light
double helps tunnel stay more rigid
reduces heat loss by 40%
sheds snow better
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Rowcover and low tunnels
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What do row covers actually do?
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What do row covers actually do?
Trap heat and warms the soil
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What do row covers actually do?
Trap heat and warms the soil
reduce wind desiccation
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What do row covers actually do?
Trap heat and warms the soil
reduce wind desiccation
cut sunscalding/burning on crops
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What do row covers actually do?
Trap heat and warms the soil
reduce wind desiccation
cut sunscalding/burning on crops
keep frozen greens from thawing too quickly
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What do row covers actually do?
Trap heat and warms the soil
reduce wind desiccation
cut sunscalding/burning on crops
keep frozen greens from thawing too quickly
traps moisture reduces irrigation needs
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Rowcover Weights/thicknesses
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Rowcover Weights/thicknesses
.4 oz (PRO 15
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Rowcover Weights/thicknesses
.4 oz (PRO 15
.5 oz (PRO 19
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Rowcover Weights/thicknesses
.4 oz (PRO 15
.5 oz (PRO 19
.9 oz (PRO 30
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Rowcover Weights/thicknesses
.4 oz (PRO 15
.5 oz (PRO 19
.9 oz (PRO 30
1.2 oz (PRO 40
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Rowcover Weights/thicknesses
.4 oz (PRO 15
.5 oz (PRO 19
.9 oz (PRO 30
1.2 oz (PRO 40
1.25 oz (Typar 518
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Rowcover Weights/thicknesses
.4 oz (PRO 15
.5 oz (PRO 19
.9 oz (PRO 30
1.2 oz (PRO 40
1.25 oz (Typar 518
Nursery covers
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Row cover thoughts
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Row cover thoughts
Cheap, thin covers are not worth the money
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Row cover thoughts
Cheap, thin covers are not worth the money
multiple layers trap heat between them
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Row cover thoughts
Cheap, thin covers are not worth the money
multiple layers trap heat between them
hoops (ours are custom) keep rowcover off growing tips and from burning greens in the fall
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Row cover thoughts
Cheap, thin covers are not worth the money
multiple layers trap heat between them
hoops (ours are custom) keep rowcover off growing tips and from burning greens in the fall
covers can increase disease pressure through trapping moisture
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Mini-Tunnel Crops
Kale and Swiss Chard Late Greens overwintered onions
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Inside Covers
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Cover thoughts
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Cover thoughts
For maximum growth and disease suppression were taking the covers off as soon as they are
not frozen in the morning and putting them back on between 4-5 pm
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Cover thoughts
For maximum growth and disease suppression were taking the covers off as soon as they are
not frozen in the morning and putting them back on between 4-5 pm
The closer the cover is to the crop the more heat retained- we dont want it touching though
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Cover thoughts
For maximum growth and disease suppression were taking the covers off as soon as they are
not frozen in the morning and putting them back on between 4-5 pm
Can use either rowcover or plastic for covers- plastic may cause problems with humidity- although...
The closer the cover is to the crop the more heat retained- we dont want it touching though
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From Steve Moore- note- he is in Pennsylvania
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Spinach doesnt need to be hooped and is fine with 1 layer
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most of us with greens have gone to a rolling system
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Rolling up the cover in the morning
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Notice high sidewalls and walkway on side
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covered with rowcover hoops-best to have two people to help
cover- one for each end.
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Our hoop houses are usually only uncovered for harvesting-
remember, we are running this houseas a stockpiling system
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Propagation houses
Richard de WildeHarmony Valley Farm
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Our Propagation House
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Our Propagation House
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Our Propagation House
all transplants on farm are started here in this 17 x 48 house
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Our Propagation House
all transplants on farm are started here in this 17 x 48 house
air and bench heat
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Our Propagation House
all transplants on farm are started here in this 17 x 48 house
air and bench heat Note germination chamber on right
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Our Propagation House
all transplants on farm are started here in this 17 x 48 house
air and bench heat Note germination chamber on right hose on wire and pulleys
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Our Propagation House
all transplants on farm are started here in this 17 x 48 house
air and bench heat Note germination chamber on right hose on wire and pulleys benches are covered with several layers of
rowcover at night to retain heat
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Delta-T bench systemwww.deltatsolutions.com/
http://www.radiantroots.com/
www.trueleaf.net
http://www.deltatsolutions.comhttp://www.radiantroots.comhttp://www.trueleaf.net
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Germination ChambersGermination Chamber
Germination chamber offers ideal environment for germinating seeds
Warmth High Humidity - Auto-fill heated water
pan for maintained humidity Heat a smaller space for lesser fuel inputs
Ample Space Fits 20,160 - soil blocks.
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Paul ArnoldPleasant Valley Farm
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Pleasant valley farm propagation house
Rollup door at end
rollup sides for hardening off and easy access to remove plants
95% space utilization
heated, rolling benches
potting shed at end to germ lettuce, start plants
roof vent for winter venting
potting shed
Driv
eway
Driv
eway
hose manifold w/ mixing valve
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Trueleaf Microgreens Designing greenhouses around an
operation
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Wood in a Greenhouse?
treated not allowed for organic production cedar or locust expensive and hard to
work with
6-8 years regular wood lifespan Metal is for life Flaretubing is pretty cool stuff
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Endwall Optionsphoto courtesy of Pleasant Valley Farm
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Endwalls human and machinery access
Venting
necessary to keep weather out
translucent for light penetration
Utilities, systems, etc
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Quincy Farm
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Clearbrook Farm
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Pre-Fabricated endwalls
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Ventilation
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Andre CantelmoHeron Pond Farm
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Andre CantelmoHeron Pond Farm
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advancingalternatives.com/
http://www.advancingalternatives.com
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Jon SatzWoods Market Garden
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Jon SatzWoods Market Garden
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kneewalls
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Jon SatzWoods Market Garden
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Movable houses
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Advantages of Movable High Tunnels
Multiple Season Extensions Improve Soil Fertility & Build Organic Matter
Diversify Crop Rotations Minimize Insect Pressure and Soil Concerns
Eliminate High Tunnel Cooling Extend Market Availability
And More
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Leeks
Under Low Tunnels
Transplant 6 Week
Old Tomatoes
Prep forLeeks
Carrots
Under Low Tunnels
Cover Crop or Summer Crop
Leeks
Under Low Tunnels
Transplant 8-10
Week Old Leeks
Direct SeedSpinach
TomatoesFinished
Carrots
Under Low Tunnels
EMPTY, Rotate
Plots for Next Year
High TunnelWarms Soil
SAMPLE CROP ROTATION FOR 3-POSITION MOVABLE HIGH TUNNEL
602 Westport Rd.Kansas City, MO 64111
(816) 444-7330SmallFarmTools.com
Four Season Tools 2010
Direct Seed Carrots
Under Low Tunnels SNOW SNOW
SNOW SNOW
CARROTS TOMATOES
Apr 1stMove, LeavingLow Tunnels
TOMATOES
TOMATOES
LEEKS
LEEKS
SPINACH
Dec 1stMove Over
Low Tunnels
Nov 1stMove Tunnel
Apr 21st
May 5th
Jun 1st
Sep 1st
Dates Based on River Root Farm in Decorah, IA
- High Tunnel Position 1 Position 2 Position 3
Feb 15thMove Tunnel
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Watering
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Watering
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Winter Watering
Water only to set seeds or transplants and then only when soil seems dry
We water only on very sunny days and then only in the early morning. Plants need time to
dry out before night.
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Summer Watering
most commercial growers are watering tomatoes 2-3 times a day
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IrrigationOverhead Irrigation:
Requires higher pressure system Drop assemblies in tunnels or sprinklers on stands for fields
Mimics rainfall Can be used to water in direct seeded crops
Different options for droplet size, diameter of spray, pattern of spray, and flow rate Can be manually or automatically operated
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overhead wateringtakes the headache
out oftripping
over pipeson the soil
surface.
Rondo Mini Sprinkler
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Drip Irrigation: Compatible with lower pressure systems
Uses less water Provides water at root zone
Not generally used for watering in direct seeded crops Different options for different flow rates and crops
Can be buried or laid on soil surface Can be manually or automatically operated
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Rainwater collection from roofs can be calculated using the following formulas:1inch of rain on a 1,000 square feet (93m2) roof yields 623
gallons (2358 liters) of water; or1 cubic foot equals (12inch by 12-inch (300mm) by 12-inch
(300mm) cube) equals 7.48 gallons; or1 millimeter of rain on a 1 square meter surface yields 1 liter
of water.
1in on 1,000 ft2 = 623 gallons1in on 1,606 ft2 = 1,000 gallons
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Richard de wildeHarmony Valley Farm
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Paul ArnoldPleasant Valley Farm
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Ebb and flow benches
Jericho Settlers Farm
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Jericho Settlers Farm
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Jericho Settlers Farm
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DIG controller
Rainflow.com
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192
Heating
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Upgrade to direct vent
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Cordwood-Vermont Herb and Salad
Company
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Wed easily be using 1200 gallons of oil each month
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Wed easily be using 1200 gallons of oil each month
http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/CaseStudies.html
http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/CaseStudies.html
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Heat pumps for recovery of daytime heat
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THE EXPERIMENT
Green Mountain Solar Project
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Total Cost $43 K
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Days with Precipitation 2010
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January18 days
Days with Precipitation 2010
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January18 days
February23 days
Days with Precipitation 2010
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January18 days
February23 days
March15 days
Days with Precipitation 2010
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204
Pete JohnsonPetes Greens
Headhouse w/ heater
Gre
enho
use
Gre
enho
use
Air return
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Biochar + Heat
James Madison University "Wayne Teel -"
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Winter growing is a sun driven system
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With our heat system we can raise the soil temp 3 degrees during the night
Winter growing is a sun driven system
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With our heat system we can raise the soil temp 3 degrees during the night
The sun can raise the soil 5 degrees and the air 40 degrees on a mostly sunny day.
Winter growing is a sun driven system
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Heated Benches the most fuel efficient way
to grow
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Heat
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Heat
Constantly growing system- growth slows in December and January but doesnt stop
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Heat
Constantly growing system- growth slows in December and January but doesnt stop
Less worry about cold damage
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Heat
Constantly growing system- growth slows in December and January but doesnt stop
Less worry about cold damage
this is a growing system so covers need to be removed for light- opposed to
a stockpiling system
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Heat
Constantly growing system- growth slows in December and January but doesnt stop
Less worry about cold damage
this is a growing system so covers need to be removed for light- opposed to
a stockpiling system
in ground system to heat a 26 x 148 runs between five and seven thousand
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air doesnt store heat like soil does- air temp in the greenhouse will drop 40-50 degrees in a matter
of hours- Soil will only loose 2-4 degrees on an average
night
most growers who are doing
heated production are heating the soil
The soil is what is actually feeding
the plant- therefore more important and
more efficient to heat
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air doesnt store heat like soil does- air temp in the greenhouse will drop 40-50 degrees in a matter
of hours- Soil will only loose 2-4 degrees on an average
night
most growers who are doing
heated production are heating the soil
The soil is what is actually feeding
the plant- therefore more important and
more efficient to heat
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air doesnt store heat like soil does- air temp in the greenhouse will drop 40-50 degrees in a matter
of hours- Soil will only loose 2-4 degrees on an average
night
most growers who are doing
heated production are heating the soil
The soil is what is actually feeding
the plant- therefore more important and
more efficient to heat Also, heating with air undercovers can be quite difficult
and heating the whole greenhouse(using no covers) is very expensive
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Soil heat tubes are 2 ft apart 18 down
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Biomass Burnershttp://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/Pubs/Greenhouse_Furnace_Project_Report.pdf
http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/?Page=energylinks.html
Energy Information
Tunnel Tour Videoshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLwGgmXsdmFP7H6MmOBy5eGuIT_D9d5Vaa
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Crop Economics
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Haukuri Turnips
Haukuri Turnips
Radishes
Radishes
tomatoes
Greens
Greens
Greens
Greens
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InterplantingSwiss Chard
Boc Choi
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OverplantingOnions
Micromix
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OverplantingOnions
Micromix
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30 wide beds means more paths which means more wasted space
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Growing for Market/Andrew Medford Tomato articles
5 single rows= 200 plants 4 double rows= 320 plants
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Pre-cut groundcloth
Cut Xs not round holes to reduce weeds
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Pre-cut groundcloth
Cut Xs not round holes to reduce weeds
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bunch line
greens line barrel washer
vegetable washer
tomato area
coolers
infeed
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Greenhouse Manufacturers
Four Season Tools, www.smallfarmtools.com
Rimol Greenhouse Systems, https://www.rimolgreenhouses.com
Harnois Greenhouses, http://www.harnois.com
Johnnys Selected Seeds, http://www.johnnyseeds.com
http://www.smallfarmtools.comhttps://www.rimolgreenhouses.comhttp://www.harnois.comhttp://www.johnnyseeds.com
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Connect with us!
@michaelkilpatrick21
Michael Kilpatrick
www.kilpatrickfamilyfarm.com
www.michael-kilpatrick.com
http://www.kilpatrickfamilyfarm.comhttp://www.michael-kilpatrick.com