UNDERGROUND GREENHOUSE Update — Ep. 186

We highlighted Scott and Crystal Van Gaasbeck from Under the Tree Farms' underground, sunken greenhouse and this time we wanted to see how it held up during the growing season—plus they were seedling-sitting for us while we were away!

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[hughmanatee]

I have a radiant slab greenhouse as well. When I first ran the boiler it ran continuously for four days. I thought we wouldn’t be able to afford to run it. We had insulated very well below and around the perimeter but still the boiler kept running, we were not losing it from conduction to the ground. What I realized was that I was trying to heat all of the air in the greenhouse, all the way to the ceiling, which is just a waste of money. I ended up building a large, 20’ x 20’ cold frame inside the building about 32” above the floor. Over this I made a blanket of 6 layers of Agribon fastened to the wall on one edge and to a pipe on the other. I cover the plants at night, if I am running heat, and then roll the blanket off in the morning. I also have a one layer thick blanket that I can use when I want the plants to get light but when the greenhouse isn’t making enough heat to keep the boiler from coming on. This keeps quite a lot of the heat in the cold frame and reduces fuel consumption. Additionally, I covered all parts of the floor that don’t get plants on them, the potting bench area and walk paths, etc with thick foam rubber mats to further retain heat. The idea is to allow the slab to heat the plants not the building. If you put your thermostat inside the cold frame you will get an accurate reading of the temperature of the air around the plants. They also have the conductive heat from sitting on the concrete which keeps their roots warm but doesn’t really warm the foliage as much as you would like.

[cefcat]

Ingenius, Scott and Crystal. May you have fun and prosper. 🎉

[VickiesGardenEvolution]

I'm so excited that you're doing this! I've been wanting to build an inground greenhouse for years ❤️

[victoriaman]

Super cool! I love seeing how other people approach these universal problems with their gardens and greenhouses and come up with unique and really ingenious solutions. Keep up the good work everyone!

[erinmoore]

Love Scott and Crystal. Such a wealth of knowledge and tips. 🌱

[outingsforoldladieswhoaren]

I really appreciate the update. It makes things come full circle.

[LaviniaDeMortalium]

Scott reminds me so much of my dad - constantly updating and modifying his space to fit his specific needs with inexpensive items at-hand. Spaces like this are so magical and so unique.

[GiorroPetrov]

It would be very nice to see a update for this project. Very very nice.

[brothernorb]

Was it intentional that the first video came up on my feed again recently? I've been tempted to rewatch cause this guy is phenomenal. Yay thanks for this!

[quashiesuzanne]

Great work!! It's thriving. Thats nice you have chestnuts and the critters are under control!!

[brothernorb]

I would like to see a plan for how to produce more PEOPLE like these. You should do a sit down interview with the familes and give people an idea of how these kind of people even happen.

[MerwinARTist]

Enjoyed the update! Lots of work represented in this! Love the water hose hanger idea! Figs and other stuff looks great! Never enough space .. in one place! ;-) lol

[ColinDavidChen]

Thanks, i was hoping you would have more on this project.

[karlp]

Those fig poles making me wince. Right height for impaling or losing an eye.

[Fabdanc]

I'm guessing anyone with currants has the varieties immune to the blister rust. I loved the deep dive in the wooly adelgid, and would love to see something on currants, gooseberries, and blister rust.

[anniathome]

Fascinating! I wish we could do that, but our water table is too high.

[Terzy]

Hi i reserch how to build a green house. the roof is more of what im looking for but i have looked the latest days that the sun wants to hit the roof in a90 degree angel and in the winter this will not get that degree? what was your thought when you did it like this?

[buds]

Radon risk? Would like to do deep winter with earth battery in MN, but concerned about radon-vented, but effective?

[jackredman]

The propane heater also produces high amounts of toxic Carbon Monoxide, this is colourless and odourless.

It is potentially lethal if used in an airtight space, and could lead to unconsciousness and worse.

Sorry to be a buzkill but couldn't not say. All the best, looks great.

[hildebertocarreiro]

Pvc piping towers grow more horizontaly