Recycled Window Greenhouse
Two years ago I built a greenhouse made from recycled windows that were sourced locally. This greenhouse didn't cost much to build, but it has provided a lot of value for me. Giving a great start to summer veggies, that later led to delicious harvests.
Most of the windows came from an unfortunate event back in 2012, when a hurricane hit my area and caused severe damage. Because I live in such close proximity to the ocean, my town experienced bad flooding and many homes were damaged. In the clean up my brother and I collected these scrap windows that were being thrown out. At the time I almost felt bad taking the windows, even though they were being thrown out. But now I am happy that we did, because I now have a sort of monument in the middle of my garden, reminding me of the blessing I have. My house was not damaged in Storm Sandy, and I stayed in the house for the whole storm. I will never forget the power of nature, its a beautiful and destructive wonder.
Today we are doing some work in the greenhouse, and taking a ride to the local recycling center to take advantage of some local resources. The gold mine your searching for may be in your own backyard 🤔
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SO MUCH YES! I was just thinking about a greenhouse earlier today. I may need to start stalking construction and renovation sites for windows. I've got one or two already.
As for wood chips in the soil, I was under the impression that they're good! They sit under there and compost and harbor bacteria and fungi. That's the entire premise of hugelkultur.
The free leaf mulch is an awesome resource, and I hadn't even thought of picking up bagged leaves. I'm actually going to be saving a bunch of leaves from our trees this year, they're sure to produce far more than we can use. What are more uses for them? I intend to use them as compost additions , chicken bedding, and mulch. What else can I do?
Hey @nateonsteemit!
Huglekuktur is good when you bury basically logs in the soil, but when you mix wood chips with dirt that isn’t good. Tends to cause like a soil stomach ache, throws of the ph. I find it best to layer things like nature does it and not mix, one of the reasons the “lasagna style gardens” tend to work well also.
The idea is to plant into the soil, and use the wood chips, leaves and other organic matter as a mulch. And every time it rains or you water, it’s like watering with compost tea because the water runs through the decomposing mulch.
I see! The videos linked by @rawutah helped me understand better. That makes a lot of sense.
I'm going to be calling arborists in my area soon, as I'd love to have a giant mountain of wood chips. I've not had luck with chip drop in the two months that I've had my profile set up with them.
What besides chicken manure can I add to help all these leaves break down? I'll be saving a hundred cubic feel or so as dry material, but there will be literal tons left over that I would adore to have as a giant hot compost pile. I don't have enough chickens to poop enough to make a car-sized pile of leaves hot (Weird sentence...). Would I be able to use manure from my parents horses?
Yes you can use horse manure providing that they haven't been given worming medicine. This is important because the medicine sterilises the manure and may retard microbial metabolism and reproduction, which is the source of the heat in compost. Although chicken manure is "hot", that is, quite high in nitrogen (or heat in this case), so you may have enough manure if you mix it well. 20% chicken manure, 40% green material (not from legumes) and 40% carbon material (dried leaves, woodchip is great or shredded cardboard). Watered to 50% moisture and turned when the temperature gets to about 60ºC. When you stick your hand in the pile and you aren't able to hold it there, that's when you flip it. Perfect moisture is when one handful of mixed material yields one drop of liquid. Most importantly the pile should not smell bad.
For other sources of nitrogen, try to use any available legume green leaf material. These form most of the plant family Fabaceae. If you're a big coffee drinker another idea is to dry out and
save your spent coffee grounds.
cheers...nate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i think he will come in and explain the difference...between the hugel method...and mixing wood chips...into your subsoil. ;) this dude...is so on it! i remember seeing his first hugel mounds..he built...about 7-8 years ago..as he started this forest. then...he came in with blankets of wood chips..ON TOP. not mixed in. just as you said.....so it can compost and decompose...on that top layer...creating fungal/mycelium....joy! :) check these two videos out..he made...explaining the difference.
Always wanted to build a little greenhouse like this out of resourced materials. It reminds me of the old english style greenhouses. The look of industrial grade materials used to make modern hoop houses seems so sterile to me. It just doesn't have the same organic feel I like for growing things that live in the dirt as a wooden greenhouse.
Those shelves would be a useful area for drying racks. If I had that space I would be drying out all my flowers filled with seeds for saving. Can also hang herbs and seed heads from the ceiling to dry them out. Maybe you can dry out grapes into raisins, or dry other fruits.
I agree @creativetruth the wood makes it feel more natural to me and I think it’s blends with the food forest. I was hoping to make it part of the garden, instead of it’s own separate unit. All one system working to the common goal of organic food production.
That’s a great idea my friend! Especially with how hot and dry it gets in the summers. Thanks for the suggestion 👌😁
Love this idea @gardeningchannel and so grateful that @nateonsteemit resteemed it. Isn't it amazing that life comes from death and tragedy? Despite the terrible storm this green house will shelter the growing veggies you wish to nurture. Well done
Thank you @buckaroo!
Yup, and what a beautiful perspective that is. Reminds me of the Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Great analogy!
Looks cosy for plants :)
Great blessing!
And it is 😁
Thanks for watching and commenting @trayan 👍
I watched your videos before.. in utube :)
I remember when you first...built this beauty!!!!! a labor of love...and it's felt when you stand inside it. a monument...as you typed....of the blessings you have. someday...i also hope to see the brother of james. he's been right there....by your side. i feel like i'm another brother....of james. :) you two have inspired me....for so long now....running on a decade! please keep it coming! D-FOOD!!!!
It sure was a lot of fun to build! He may pop on someday if it’s the right occasion 😁
You are my brother @rawutah without a doubt. And your continued kind words have helped us to press on, and continue creating.
And your forest garden was one of the originals that got me inspired, you showed me it could be done. Learning from you everyday bro. Thank you 🙏🏻
Wow!
Must have been scary staying in your house for that storm!
You deserve a green house after going through that!
It was scary @brizhorticulture, but it was also eye opening to see what nsture could do 😱
I love...how the food forest...looks from within...the greenhouse. Such a sacred spot...to chill...and feel!
This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.
Good for you! The greenhouse alone is a great idea, but reusing and upcycling windows that we're going to be trashed is even better ... and the constant reminder of your fortune; simply beautiful!! Great job :) I love the look of it too :)
I remember when my Mother Earth News magazines would come in the mail way back in the 70s and there would be features on building greenhouses just like yours! And I've always dreamed of having one but it never happened. Yours is great I'm glad you were able to rescue some of what would have become debris from Hurricane Sandy. That must have been an amazing and rather terrifying experience to go through that.