Peaches in Paris, Bananas in Boston?
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That's fascinating, it really is. Why the hang don't we do that now ?
There were loads of walled gardens round here (mostly now bought out and turned into housing
) but most had heated greenhouses at one end, not that maze like structure of those walls.
Why don't we do this now in these days of trying to be 'energy conscious' ?
M
There were loads of walled gardens round here (mostly now bought out and turned into housing
) but most had heated greenhouses at one end, not that maze like structure of those walls.Why don't we do this now in these days of trying to be 'energy conscious' ?
M
Because its labour intensive and land intensive and most people would rather pay less for imported fruit that uses poorly paid foreign farmers in warmer climes. Sad, but whilst people pursue cheap food, thats the way it is.
Thats a want to try article.
Did you read the follow on article too ?
http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2015/12/reinventing-the-greenhouse.html#more
Did you read the follow on article too ?
http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2015/12/reinventing-the-greenhouse.html#more
I live at 53N in the mountains. Planted grape vines 24" out on the SW wall of my house in 2001. The trellis is 14' high and 40' long. I prune to keep it that way. I see 5-7C cooling efeect on hot summer afternoons in my now-shaded kitchen. Best ever crop was 65lbs/vine in 2013. I get leaves for dolmades. I use the birds for insect control.
Adult birds put their fledglings in there while they forage. While this keeps the young birds invisible from the outside, I get to watch everything from the kitchen as the birds are less that 24" from the windows.
After several inspections of the prunings, I usually start 70-100 cuttings which I sell in the Community Market. Altogether, maybe 4-5 days work per year. Seems practical to me.
Adult birds put their fledglings in there while they forage. While this keeps the young birds invisible from the outside, I get to watch everything from the kitchen as the birds are less that 24" from the windows.
After several inspections of the prunings, I usually start 70-100 cuttings which I sell in the Community Market. Altogether, maybe 4-5 days work per year. Seems practical to me.
Yes it is practical when you have developed a system like that
Selling the cuttings is a great idea that ads $$$ to the pocket.
I used to throw away all my prunings. Now I sort through them 3X and plant only the best of the best pieces (3 buds). 2/$5 seems a cheap gamble for such things. Some market days last summer, I sold out and had to drive home to get more.
Yesterday, I have some errands to run around the village. #1: "Can we buy grapes again from you this year?" #2: When will you start selling vines in the market this summer?" #3: "Can I buy cuttings from you and start my own?" #4: "What sort of a crop did you get last fall?" #5 in the grocery store: "Oh, you're the 'Grape-Guy.'"
I'm a new-comer here (15 years) and not related to anyone in the village. Selling grape vines and grapes, year after year, seems to given me a small but legitimate place.
Yes, the money is nice, not a lot but pays for soil and things. Maybe I splurge and buy a new wood carving tool or two.
Yesterday, I have some errands to run around the village. #1: "Can we buy grapes again from you this year?" #2: When will you start selling vines in the market this summer?" #3: "Can I buy cuttings from you and start my own?" #4: "What sort of a crop did you get last fall?" #5 in the grocery store: "Oh, you're the 'Grape-Guy.'"
I'm a new-comer here (15 years) and not related to anyone in the village. Selling grape vines and grapes, year after year, seems to given me a small but legitimate place.
Yes, the money is nice, not a lot but pays for soil and things. Maybe I splurge and buy a new wood carving tool or two.
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