The Story of Building my GEOTHERMAL Greenhouse 

I'm blown away by the positive response to my greenhouse project! THANK YOU EVERYONE VERY MUCH!. I'll be posting some videos about what's growing in it very soon!

came for the greenhouse, stayed for the epic display of CAD (Cardboard Aided Design)

I became 10x more impressed as the video went along and I saw how much work you did yourself and how resourceful you were in building this thing. I wasn’t expecting to watch the whole thing. But it was showing one cool thing after another. I think I’m going to try and follow a similar strategy when I finally tackle building by our own greenhouse. Thanks for the inspiration.

I love the sheer aesthetic beauty and timeless solidity of your rocky hillside domain. Man did not come here to the Earth to serve money and corporations, we are here to create a Paradise Garden, just like you are doing.

My god… I’ve never been more motivated. I’m currently going to an electrician trade school to earn a fantastic living, but to also learn how to wire up a system like this. My goal is to create similar content, but in the Northern Californian foothills, so I’m going to focus more on water retention and summer cooling (love the idea is positioning around deciduous trees)but I just love how practical and resourceful your design was. I want to give everyone a huge tip. Most residential housing developments have massive amounts of 2x4 waste, and there is a high amount of new developments right now, so hunt around the large 40 yard dumpsters and you will find unlimited quality lumber with minor defects. Follow for future content

My dad installed geo-thermal in his home. Watching him do it was amazing. Now we own the home and we love having it. I can't imagine ever going back.

I live in Alberta Canada and it’s always the issue of the Cost of keeping a greenhouse warm enough in the winter Heat from the earth and sun is the key. Thank you for posting your vid.

Yes, indeed!! i would like to see separate, in-depth discussions on the various parts of the build. A separate vid on just the geotherm part, for instance. A single vid for the whole is simply not adequate to dissect the complexity of the parts. What thinkest thou? 😊

Quick comment to acknowledge the quality of this video and its content!

Looks like a dream project you were able to create. All best from the Netherlands

I’m in love with how much pride and excitement he has for his work - as he should!

I never considered using a radiator to extract compost heat, makes sense. I am having ideas for using it to boost a geothermal setup in the winter but like you said solar+geothermal is likely enough.

I’m the 11th finisher! 🤦‍♂️🤭😇. One of my first summer jobs 78/79 was was a draftsman field hand for my next door surveyor neighbor who taught me how to draft out all his projects for the state of Maine. One of his project involved a passive solar log home. Looked like your greenhouse with black barrels mid floors, south facing wall of daylight cellar. Massive tiled floor and Stone Russian fireplace thermal heat masses. Your plan brought so many correct techniques. I had even painted a south facing back wall dark brown for the solar heat benefit., I saw benefits from some envelope homes being built into north side ground too. Great video and thank you for the excellent content. I’m a new fan.

wow! Incredible. I just bought a greenhouse and currently prepping the site where it will go. I am blown away by your design and success! I live in southern NH and limited on physical ability and funds to accomplish what you did but so impressed. Will try a few things you described that I can manage and definitely check out your merch! Thank you for sharing your inspiring video!

Thank you and you are way too humble Imo. The forethought and years of being able to test on what works for your property season by season and all the random thought processes, problem solving and reaching out for reliable info and resources that really went into this projects success, is truly amazing. I also won't leave out your super supportive family and friends that made it all possible. What I really admire is how well grounded you are with the sourcing of free or near free materials and how well you balanced the overwhelming financial needs of this against your desire to complete your Greenhouse.

The filming and editing are excellent for such a small channel. I hope you continue to upload quality videos and grow on the platform.

Super easy to make to the end! Thanks for sharing your awesome place!

How did I only find this channel now?! What an excellent video! Very professionally done as well 😀

The usage of space is amazing. Everything looks very well integrated into the natural environment despite the difficult terrain. The use of different natural materials, the design of the structures as well as the snaking way the pathways are constructed create protected spaces. Your property looks like it has been taken right out of an adventure game like Myst. Well done.

What a truly beautiful process of building you've shared with us! Like some others, it was my first time seeing any of your videos, and I found myself pulled along by one fabulous piece after another as you shared your thoughts and the what the act of building this structure - on your land - required. One of the things I most love about the art, and act, of building is that it brings one such exquisite problems to solve, and for the thoughtful person, represents such an exercise in creativity. Needless to say, I think you nailed it. Very much appreciated the "cool wife sighting" - as well as your wife's able handling of the jackhammer! One last thought - I so appreciated how you walked us through your property, especially as you were coming up the stairs by the raised beds and stopped for a moment. I pointed out to my husband, unlike most folks, who endeavor to fence the deer "out," instead you'd taken the approach of fencing the food "in." It makes my day to see that sort of thoughtfulness in action! Good on you for all your very hard work, and I look forward to watching more of your videos!

What a lot of work. Very interesting. Live in the northwest. A lot of rain and cold weather in the winter.

What a cool demo with the cardboard!! It showed clearly how you did the design for us "visual people". My question is: Can and do you grow tomatoes and/or cucumbers & peppers that you can harvest in the winter, or just "greens"? I like a few kinds of greens, but what I would dearly love to harvest all winter is tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers! Just enough space to supply myself with those three.... of my favorite veggies that I am forced to buy all winter long.

Great design and build.

You know, with your experience building your greenhouse and the geography of your property, have you ever considered building a passive solar heated and cooled home? Warning: It would mean much more jackhammering. You'd pretty much have to bury the living space of your house inside your hill. Also, the structure would be like a thermos: The living space would be inside outer walls, with about a foot or so between the outer wall of the structure (in contact with the earth and stone of the hill) and the outer wall of the living space. Basically, you'd have a house inside a house, but with NO insulation between the outer walls. This would include space between the floor of the living space and the floor of the outer structure, as well as space between the ceiling of the living space and the roof of the outer structure (the roof of the outer structure would have earth atop it). Again, with NO insulation between to living space and the outer structure. By "burying" your house in the side of your hill, you will be counting on the earth as insulation. From the middle of the back wall of the outer structure, you would run a pipe about a hundred yards back, and then straight up to emerge from the earth. The end of the pipe would have to be capped to prevent rain from entering, but the cap would have to extend well beyond the edges of the end of the pipe. That's because there would have to be holes near the end of the pipe to allow air in (but screened to keep bugs out). This is part of your passive solar air conditioning. The front of your house would be a greenhouse, built as part of the outer structure, but not buried like the rest of the house. The floor of the greenhouse would be like a standard deck, built of wooden slats with enough space between the slats to allow air flow (this "deck" would sit above the floor of the outer structure). The front wall of the living space would be thermal mass to soak up heat. Your bottom of your planters would also be thermal mass. Here's how it works: --- AC: During Summer, you would open the greenhouse panels on the roof at the back of the greenhouse, right above the thermal mass of the front wall of the living space (you'd have screens here to keep out bugs). The sun would heat up the air in the greenhouse house. The hot air would rise, leaving through the open panels. That natural air flow would draw in air through the pipe. The pipe, being buried, would cool the air it draws in, which will flow into the space between the outer structure and the living space, cooling off the living space (which should already cooled some by being buried in the hill). --- Heating: During Winter, you close the greenhouse panels and a valve in the buried pipe (closing it off, too). During the day, the thermal mass heats up from the sun (the greenhouse should be on the south side of the house). At night, the thermal mass will give up its heat to keep the house warm. Being buried in the side of the hill will provide great insulation for the house. If you are worried that your earth insulation and thermal mass will not be enough to keep you warm enough in Winter, when you build the house you could install a woodstove just inside the front wall of the living space. The thermal mass built into that wall will soak up heat from the woodstove, too, ensuring a warm night and day. I plan on building such a house in the future.

This is amazing. Your place is killer beautiful (house and greenhouse, stone stairs and greenery). Everything works and has a purpose.

Dude your incredible, such clear explanation on such a long and well thought out, one man journey. Blows my mind you were able to do all that from your own hands

I bought one of those Harbor Freight greenhouses and never really utilized it. I did make a large cinderblock insulated foundation with the idea of burying pipe like you did but never finished it. You could also use a shade cloth during in the summer to reduce the heat. I bought one from Griffin greenhouse supply in Tewksbury. Looks like a nice greenhouse for citrus trees to over winter in.

I used to live in Rockaway, NJ, so I 100% understand what you are talking about. I was one of The Ten who stayed until the end. I think you really under sold the about of skull sweat you invested into this project. Love the idea, be well!!

Oh our old friend Gabion, we have always liked that for a better way to keep the hillside from falling or the Garage, or whatever one has on the hill they live on!

"All ten of you" 😅

I’m new but I like the vibe

I think it’s amazing that you went through all that to have a great greenhouse I want to people aren’t as dedicated or interested with. You obviously know the value and I wish more people felt that way graph really cool I love the idea of geothermal not sure if passive solar would be enough, but I have seen projects in New York that have an above ground greenhouse no geothermal to my knowledge who have placed their compost within the structure and what that has done is provided heat I thought was brilliant because obviously if you’re going to use compost you’re gonna need it in the greenhouse, so yeah I love it. I love it all. I guess it depends on your wallet size what you can afford where you can start and then graduate like you did, something bigger and better I think greenhouses are invaluable. I also love the idea of Walla peonies, which is a South American underground greenhouse. Those are particularly good in inclement weather because you can grow food all year round. I still haven’t seen anyone do a fantastic job on it. I think that there could be more ingenuity but everybody’s different, so perhaps they’ll be some people who have the courage to do things in a way that hasn’t been quite done yet . I love watching my shows they’re very educational. Thank you very much for sharing.

You even made a 3D model 🐐 Keep up the great content!

I put a stock tag in one year for fish out there with a deicer I was amazed it kept the greenhouse warm

Love your shirt 'Keep calm and pull weeds' - When I felt like a serious get away, just a relief from the current situation, nothing like visiting the garden and seeing what you can do to collect your thought. Enjoyed the video, awesome.

Amazing job, thank you for sharing 🪴

When I saw your property (south facing slope...or was it not south facing?) I started salivating for a walipini (sunken/partialy buried) style Greenhouse. Granted you have such rocky soil, but you had to do a lot of digging anyway and all the spoils could have added to your walls to slightly reduce digging. Based on how you present yourself, you probably saw and discarded this idea. Why, please? Hot air powered thermal mass was still an option.

beautiful, just incredible

This is a greenhouse, but it really stimulated my thinking about the next house I want to build.

You certainly improve the quality of life got me jealous

I'm not very particular, but I know when someone take the time to make a professional finished project... as I am only half way through the actual video.. I have to say the time you take to describe and explain--the visual aids... this is a very nice professional video. However, I listen to podcasts at 1.7x speed. For a high focus, so long as you keep my attention type--you could speak a bit faster. Visually though, I love this video. Also, the nuance guitar soft bluegrass is at perfect volume for the video (and quite lovely)--thank you for not trying to scream over your background noise. Than you for sharing this idea and project.

WOOOOWWWWW it is soooooo BEAUTIFUL there, the house and surroundings. Just gorgeous

Absolutely amazing! Thank you!

I add to others that I would love more detail on the geothermal setup. I also have very rocky terrain to work with and this gives me hope that perhaps I still can attempt geothermal. The added mass of soil above the excavated area serves as added insulation to the system :)

Wow what a well thought-out design. love to see people putting tought and work into growing their own food

It is a very good looking greenhouse too. Cheers from East Coast, Canada.

Your motivation is amazing. Very impressive.

all ten of us huh? you are a little too humble, this was an amazing project to watch! thanks for sharing

Kudos to you for all your hard work, labor and research and design! But for me, it was gratifying to see someone dealing with what I have; a steep hill of nothing but rock. Seeing what you have done gives me hope!

I want to see more of what you put inside, why and where.

I'm about to construct a greenhouse on an odd-shaped piece of property. Thank you for the idea to utilize the shape. Your architect friend helped me as well. I do have a lifetime of construction experience, but that doesn't necessarily lend itself to the variety of ideas needed when working with different mediums.

Such a great investment.. I'm enjoying your videos, and learning a great deal from them as I plan my own greenhouse. The design is brilliant..keep up the great work and post some of the plants growing in the winter.

Beautiful. Thanks.

I have... no interest in greenhouses. I've managed to kill unkillable houseplants by simply forgetting I have them for like a year. I've done my best to keep herbs and stuff growing in my kitchen, which invariably die and stay on the counter as a brown monument of failure. Not sure why this popped up on my page, maybe because it's tangential to heating garages and stuff which I may be more interested in... however; all this being said: this is an excellent video, a brilliant project, your narration is so good I watched the whole thing. If the rest of your stuff is on this level, I don't understand why you don't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

I would have thought with the geothermal setup would cool it off better in the summer? Love the green house! Pallet shingles is a great idea as well.

That build was really about endurance to your body. Great job!

Great news and update from you. Thank you. Please show us the geothermal air flow inlet and outlet in closer detail please?

Fantastic! I really appreciate that you reused materials. Thanks for sharing! 💯

Nice property and set up, thx for sharing

You've given me a lot to think on. We are about to embark on our "Greenhouse" build next spring. Thank you.

What do you do for ventilation? Operable windows? Fans? How long of a season extension are you getting on each end (spring and fall)? What things grow best in your greenhouse?

Slick!

Incredible well thought build and I like how the structure compliments your landscape. Geothermal is a simple and consistent temperature solution for a greenhouse!

Thank you, I'm starting my geothermal greenhouse, great tips

backyard goals and friends who help you with projects. lucky guy!

Made it to the end and am inspired to add some geothermal capabilities to my greenhouse plans. Thank you

Great job!! Excellent video!! Thanks

I just found your channel. Thanks so much for teaching me.

Just to say, I’m the 11th to make it to the end of the video :) Really lovely and calming video.

Very cool project! I think you made the best of what your land allows you to build on. The new greenhouse will be a great addition.

This is incredible as a video and your project, can't wait to see more.

Thanks for sharing... really ba e enjoyed watching your build. Blessings ❤

Beautiful!!! Brilliant!!! Thank you for sharing

Love how you planned and improvised to get this job done. You also live in a great community whereby i am sure help is reciprocated. Thank you for sharing the ideas and build of this project.

Hmmmm - that would work on the Wet Coast of Canada as well. You've given me something to contemplate. Thank you.

Good job, very resourceful

I loved this video it was cool to see how one is put together and how you resourced your materials

Thanks for sharing

Well done!

What an inspiration you are. Lots of ideas to try in our small 8x8 cattle panel greenhouse. Thank you for sharing.

Such a beautiful and tastfuly built structure!

Awesome build!

Just plain awesome!!! You are amazing; thank you for sharing your ingenius project. You will be enjoyinghome - grown "health" for years to come. Danelle

Okay, I did not think about a radiator in a compost pile before, but it is a really good idea. I mean previously I was mostly concerned about the thing not combusting (during summer), never thought about such a cheap way to harvest that heat.

I hope the next owner of your property doesn’t tear it all down! This is a masterpiece. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

So impressive!

Great work! Love the video style you have. After using a geothermal greenhouse myself for several years I share your experience and good results. A fantastic way to extend seasons!

Amazing greenhouse, inspiring build!! I’ll be checking out all your content, top notch😁

You have a nice property and your house fits it well. Great job using the rock for Fabian walls!

You inspired me to buy a ‘Keep Calm and Pull Weeds’ T shirt 👋🏻😎 The greenhouse is epic. The rocks around here are no joke. From one gardener to another 🍻

That is so beautiful!! So inspiring and encouraging living up on Ontario. As it's getting colder this is such a joy to see!

Great job

So amazing! Thanks for sharing.

Really cool project!

I love this! Based on what you said we have the perfect spot to build a small version of this.

This was a masterfully done video and I so very appreciate the scale model.

Bravo Zulu. I'm already thinking my potential greenhouse. Thank you.

Your energy level is incredible!

WOW! what an engineering feat! I am duly impressed! 😊 It is beautiful.

This is amazing, thanks for the info!