About Us
My home is located about 75 kms south-west of Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada, in the Boreal Forest considered a cold climate region. Here
in zone 2a, we are only six zones away from being totally frigid. Clearly
we have a very short growing season extending on the average, from spring
last frost of June 5th to the fall first frost of Sept. 5th. A mere 3 months.
And yet, as I look out the window, I can see my greenhouse, designated and trademarked
as GH365, i.e. a greenhouse that functions year round.
Today is nearing the end
of January, and in my greenhouse grows a vast and healthy crop of organic
vegetables. Among the lush greenery are not only several varieties of cold
hardy vegetables such as lettuce, but also three types of tomatoes which
are a warm climate crop and rather sensitive to cold. Additionally there
are green onions, spinach, radishes, green peppers, broccoli and even finicky
asparagus, that seems to be shooting up an inch a day. All survived outside
night-time temperatures of minus 34 Celsius experienced only a couple of
weeks ago. And this was accomplished with little supplementary heating including
minimal electrical consumption.
The
GH365 does not look like your typical greenhouse. It is a uniquely designed,
heavily insulated solar thermal facility.
The overall footprint of the initial
GH365 prototype is 22 ft. x 18 ft. The growing (greenhouse) area is 14 ft.
x 18 ft. and the work/prep. room measures 8 ft. x 18 ft. Two 4' x 8' solar
collectors on the roof capture the sun's energy. It incorporates a massive
heat retention cavity that comprises the north wall which is filled with
sand kept warm by solar heated water that flows through heat resistant tubing
imbedded throughout. This same heated tubing is used to warm the root zones
on the planter tables. The 1.5" thick dual pane, argon filled, high
heat retention south glazing is positioned at an optimum 36° angle
to maximize passive solar impact.
To make a greenhouse vegetable production facility viable requires a year-round
operation. The feasibility of growing vegetables in northern climate greenhouses
over the winter is an important breakthrough with very positive potential.
Greenhouses provide an opportunity to get off the destructive global industrial
food network bringing down the cost and offering more accessible healthy
choices. They offer the ability to produce local, healthy foods all year
round with very little energy. Such region specific greenhouses can provide
an extension on our short growing season and expand our capacity to grow
food.
I foresee greenhouses like my prototype becoming common practice in remote
communities including First Nations; for farmers wanting to expand their
growing season and their range of produce; for community food and garden
initiatives; and even for residential houses wherein our homes become places
where we not only live, work, play and eat, but also grow much of what we
eat.
For more information contact:
Leo Hunnakko, R.R. #2, 140 North Sideroad, Nolalu, On. P0T2K0
Ph. (807) 577-7484 cell 621-6621 email: gh365@tbaytel.net