Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

We are in the middle of planning some house extensions, and the builder is very much into designs for passive heating and cooling. As such, he is wanting to put in a greenhouse as part of the house, especially when he saw my aquaponics system.

I was planning of incorporating the new bigger system in the extensions anyway, so the idea of a greenhouse intrigues me. The idea of being able to walk out and pick stuff right outside the kitchen is great.

Below is a simple sketch of the plans (these are in early stages so changes can be made), basically showing the main living area at the back, with the greenhouse bordering this and the Alfresco area. The Alfresco will have Bi-fold doors so will be able to be closed up in winter, so could also take advantage of any heat produced by the greenhouse during this time. Over Summer, lots of ventilation I guess.

House is on raised stumps (weatherboard, timber floor etc you know the type), so would be overlooking growbeds from living areas.

Main questions are, is anyone using a greenhouse in in Perth in conjunction with their system?

Where is your FT in relation this your Greenhouse?

How do you deal with Pollination?

These are the main questions for now, I guess I have a lot more reading to do, but am hoping others out there could help shortcut this process. If you don't have a greenhouse, would still welcome comments / thoughts / suggestions.

Cheers
Wazza

Hey Wazza, how exciting! Greenhouses are great, especially for keeping the warmth in during winter. When it is cold, wet and raining a greenhouse environment is cosy. Not so great in the peak of our summer, ventilation and airflow is extremely important otherwise the greenhouse becomes humid and stifling and bug populations will proliferate. Perhaps opening up the sides to allow for cooling and airflow. As for polination you may be able to buy good bugs as polinators http://www.bugsforbugs.com.au/ I am sure there is somewhere around Wanneroo as well. You can search IPM Integrated Pest Management, there may be some mechanical way of polination other then the paintbrush or electric toothbrush too.

I'd probably put the the fish tank in the back corner near lounge/kitchen/alfresco area. You want it in a position where it will catch the heat in the winter when the sun is low in the sky, yet not have sunlight on it when the sun is high in the sky in summer.

if I could...I would AP landscape out a whole garden....ornamental and vegitable not just one area...

Thanks Faye,

That 'bug' site has me quite excited, there are some useful critters there. I did come across the electric toothbrush method, and apparently people are doing trials with native bees as well. More reading I guess.

Cheers
Wazza

EB,

Do you mean in the Alfresco area or the greenhouse?