There was more stacking of wood today and much reading.
In the afternoon, we went on a tour of the greenhouse which i have never seen one constructed like this before. It is passive solar and furnace heated. The fiber glass and ridged plastic side is oriented and pitched to optimize the winter sun. The north side of the structure is insulated and lined with 55 gallon barrel drums, stacked 3 high, painted black and filled with water (Inside the barrels is a rust inhibitor, oil on top of the water to keep air out and the opening on the top of the barrel is sealed to keep more air from entering. This is all done to keep the barrels from rusting out.) In the winter, the black barrels of water gain heat and release it slowly. In the summer, because the sun is so high in the sky, the barrels are not exposed to the suns rays. Now, the water acts as a coolant during the hot summer months. Inside the greenhouse are fig trees, citrus and a black mulberry which are all planted directly into the soil. Cuttings are taken from these to start new trees.
Above is a large hardy kiwi vine (female). There are so many unsual shrubs and trees here. Today, i got to taste guomi berry juice which reminded me of cranberries and autumn olives. For dessert, we had frozen paw paw. Excellent! I have got to figure out how to grow these.
