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Original poster

Some help with a garden idea

34 replies

GreenIdeas · 07/05/2023 21:08

Hi, I am about two thirds through and Open University degree course and a full-time working Mum (with 3 older children - or this would be impossible!!) I am working on a design project for a garden product and would really appreciate some comments and feedback on the concept if you can spare a moment to take a look. I would like to use any feedback received to try to develop the concept further for my year end project and would really value both positive and negative opinions. I have uploaded some pictures:

The GrowBox would be made from transparent phtotvoltaic glass that allows light to pass through so that plants can grow but is able to generate enough electrical power to to power led growlights for for an additional couple of hours of light each day early in the season when the daylight hours are shorter.

The concept also includes water butts in the wooden boxes either side of the growbox for irrigation along with compost bins a the back of the growbox for garden waste and would also help to generate heat as the waste decomposes.

An automatic ventilation bracket opens the back window to prevent the growbox from becoming too hot.

Thank you for taking the time to help me!

Some help with a garden idea
Some help with a garden idea
OP posts:
Original poster
GreenIdeas · 08/05/2023 13:22

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 08/05/2023 11:17

i can see it being a good idea for smaller gardens who don’t have space for greenhouse.

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
GreenIdeas · 08/05/2023 13:44

senua · 08/05/2023 12:20

The design works for gardeners who do hot-composting. I do cold-composting i.e. just add to the compost on an as-and-when basis. It would be interesting to find out what percentages of gardeners do HC or CC. The ones who achieve HC are probably the more serious gardeners who are less in need of your all-in-one concept.

Sorry if my feedback sounds unhelpful, it's not meant to be.

Show quote history

Hi Senua, your comments were not a bit unhelpful! Thanks for the useful links to creating a hotbed - it's not something I've every tried doing myself - though I'd certainly like to have a go when I have more time. One of the things that I've really enjoyed about doing my degree are the things that you learn along the way. I came across this gentleman who grows oranges in Nebraska - he created this greenhouse when he retired and it is amazing what he manages to grow - I was really inspired by what this gentleman achieved!

Really appreciate the time that everyone has taken to give me some feedback - hope you enjoy the video😀

Nebraska retiree uses earths's heat to grow oranges in snow

Winter temperatures in Alliance, Nebraska can drop to 20°F (the record low is -40°F/C), but retired mailman Russ Finch grows oranges in his backyard greenhou...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_3_gsgsnk

OP posts:
senua · 08/05/2023 14:21

That video on the ground-source heat greenhouse. I did a quick google-maps on Nebraska and the bird's eye view is fascinating to British eyes - they don't have to follow much historical precedent or contour so the productive part of the State is a regular grid of square fields and circular crops. It looks like a giant patchwork quilt.

senua · 08/05/2023 14:33

That video on the ground-source heat greenhouse...
oops. editing error! That was supposed to say "...is really interesting"Smile

Daftasabroom · 09/05/2023 21:50

Hi @GreenIdeas it's a bit of a solution looking for a problem, but it's a uni project and if you end doing this professionally I promise you will face this time and again.

The challenge you have is that solar PV will produce most energy when you least need it and visa versa. The key bit to finding a workable solution is to make that work in your favour.

Almost all renewables rely to some extent on energy storage. @senua concept is really good. Also research "interseasonal energy storage" and "tromb walls".

This could be a really good and viable solution at a commercial level.

I'd suggest you do a pretty thorough SWOT analysis, perhaps even an FMEA.

If you're going to be doing engineering or product design I thoroughly recommend Engineering Design Methods by Nigel Cross, I've had a copy on my desk for over 20 years.

indignatio · 09/05/2023 23:05

One issue with greenhouses seems to be that they get too hot at certain times . Can you use the solar energy for fans when not required for grow lights / heat mats?

Daftasabroom · 09/05/2023 23:41

I believe some commercial nurseries use fans to create a breeze that strengthens plant stems.

Original poster
GreenIdeas · 10/05/2023 07:03

indignatio · 09/05/2023 23:05

One issue with greenhouses seems to be that they get too hot at certain times . Can you use the solar energy for fans when not required for grow lights / heat mats?

Thanks indignation, I think that there may be sufficient energy produced to do that. Worth exploring!

OP posts:
Original poster
GreenIdeas · 10/05/2023 07:21

Daftasabroom · 09/05/2023 21:50

Hi @GreenIdeas it's a bit of a solution looking for a problem, but it's a uni project and if you end doing this professionally I promise you will face this time and again.

The challenge you have is that solar PV will produce most energy when you least need it and visa versa. The key bit to finding a workable solution is to make that work in your favour.

Almost all renewables rely to some extent on energy storage. @senua concept is really good. Also research "interseasonal energy storage" and "tromb walls".

This could be a really good and viable solution at a commercial level.

I'd suggest you do a pretty thorough SWOT analysis, perhaps even an FMEA.

If you're going to be doing engineering or product design I thoroughly recommend Engineering Design Methods by Nigel Cross, I've had a copy on my desk for over 20 years.

Thank you daftasabroom, I think you are very right about it being a solution looking for a problem!! I guess the stage i am at now is about following the techniques I have been learning on my module and applying them to the project. Your comments are really helpful and I will look at getting a copy of the book you mention. Thank you! I am not sure what I am going to do with this degree when I eventually get it. I decided to do it when I was looking round Uni’s with my eldest son. He did Product Design and I was really inspired by what was on offer (not something that was around when I was at school) He completed his course a couple of years ago and I am still going!!!!

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