Inuvik Community Greenhouse Gardening in the Arctic - it's possible to garden in zone 0a

From Alberta Urban Garden: "I garden in Zone 3 here in the Capital Region of Alberta. Now most people think that I live and garden on the northern reaches of the possible. Well today we are going to travel 1952 kilometres or 1213 miles just about due north to the community of Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. Inuvik sits on the delta of the Machenzie river right before it flows into the Beauford sea above the arctic circle. Now I know what your thinking this is too far north for gardening right? In fact gardening is well and alive this far north

In 1998 the transformation began of an old arena and through innovative design and recycling it was not long until the community garden was producing its first vegetables. The facility is split between public community gardens and a commercial growing operation to cover the costs of operation. The facility not only boasts soil raised beds but hydroponics as well.

When you think of growing in the Arctic you are drawn to think of the cold as the limiting factor after all our growing zones are defined by how cold it gets in the winter. Inuvik is firmly in the lowest growing Zone 0 A.

This is not a problem in their greenhouse as Inuvik enjoys 56 days of 24 hour sunlight from late June to august effectively super charging their season. They are able to grow a wide variety of crops from leafy greens to watermelons.

The Inuvik Community Greenhouse is a great example of alternate ways we can bring gardening into our lives and a little more food security to our communities. If Inuvik can do it we can all do it!

For more information on the Inuvik Community Greenhouse there is a URL in the description below:

http://www.inuvikgreenhouse.com/1_2_History.html

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of gardening with my parents and brothers. This channel is about low cost organic urban gardening in zone 3. I am by no means an expert gardener however I love to share my experiments and journey garden year round. Please feel free to join the conversation and if you think you might like this channel subscribe. Have a great day!"

http://www.albertaurbangarden.ca/about/

Solar, unheated and portable walk-in greenhouse for winter vegetable gardening

This portable greenhouse is available from Home Depot for $89 and has excellent reviews (it costs $200 from the manufacturer's website, ShelterLogic 6 ft. x 5 ft. Polyethylene Organic Growers Greenhouse). The store showroom unit had concrete blocks at the base ($1.49 each) to prevent from being blown away with strong winds. A indoor-approved heater may be needed during the winter (mostly at night).



The greenhouse features a mesh fabric cover, steel frame, fasteners and 4 earth anchors. Adjustable vents on all sides permit ventilation. There are a zippered screens and side panels with screens to keep bugs out.

The polyethylene fabric cover is designed to disperse sunlight for optimal plant growth.





Features of the greenhouse:

- 238 cu. ft. storage capacity
- 1-piece cover slips over frame
- 3/8 in. steel frame
- Adjustable vents deliver ventilation on all sides
- Half-moon zippered screens and rollup side panels with full-length screens keep bugs out
- Blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays
- Treated inside and outside with fade blockers, anti-aging, anti-yellowing and anti-microbial agents
- Includes 5 ft. x 6 ft. x 6 ft. 6 in. frame, 1-piece fitted cover, bungee fasteners and four 15 in. ShelterAuger earth anchors
- Complete hardware kit and step-by-step instructions (a PDF manual is available from the manufacturer website)

MFG Brand Name : ShelterLogic, MFG Model # : 70635, MFG Part # : 70635

A slightly bigger, and much more expensive, version is also available from Home Depot and Amazon: GrowIt Organic Growers 6 ft. x 8 ft. x 6 ft. 6 in. Peak-Style Greenhouse-70615.0 at The Home Depot - http://goo.gl/mDwMT

How to make a small greenhouse out of five pieces of plastic pipe, a plastic painter's drop cloth, some zip ties and a few bricks: DIY Instant Greenhouse For Under $20 - YouTube http://bit.ly/19m4jHf



Successful Gardener - Solar Greenhouse - YouTube - http://goo.gl/4TAEJ:



Cool-season Crops - WSU - Organic Farm http://goo.gl/cU1pI

Hardy
Asparagus
Broad Bean
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Chive
Collards
Garlic
Asparagus
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leek
Mustard
Onion
Parsley
Pea
Radish
Rhubarb
Spinach
Turnip
Parsnip
Potato
Salsify

Half-hardy
Beet
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chicory
Chinese cabbage
Globe artichoke
Endive
Lettuce

References:

6 ft. x 5 ft. Polyethylene Organic Growers Greenhouse-70635 at The Home Depot
GrowIt Organic Growers 6 ft. x 8 ft. x 6 ft. 6 in. Peak-Style Greenhouse-70615.0 at The Home Depot - http://goo.gl/mDwMT
ShelterLogic Grow-It Greenhouses (manuals can be downloaded from the website) http://goo.gl/2V0Iz
How to build My 50 Dollar Greenhouse » The Door Garden http://goo.gl/H14V
6 Months In the Greenhouse » The Door Garden http://goo.gl/oeIaa
Vegetables: growing in your greenhouse / Royal Horticultural Society http://goo.gl/qDaqU
Living Off the Land in Maine, Even in Winter - NYTimes http://goo.gl/OKqpS
Growing in a Small-Scale Greenhouse - Urban Farm magazine http://goo.gl/ZdT9D
Vegetables in Winter http://goo.gl/RLIqC
Why purchase a Green House? Growing Food in a Greenhouse - YouTube http://bit.ly/UBowaG
Harbor Freight Tool Visit and 6x8 and 10x12 Greenhouse Updates - YouTube http://bit.ly/UBozmT

Here are some options for heaters:

Winter Vegetable Garden - What plants to consider?

Here are some suggestions for Winter Vegetables for the Western United States and When to Plant:

Beets - Anytime
Broccoli - Fall to early spring
Brussels sprouts - Fall to early spring
Cabbage - Fall to early spring
Carrots - Anytime
Cauliflower - Fall to early spring
Chard - Fall to early spring
Kohlrabi - Fall and winter
Lettuce - Fall to spring
Onions - Fall and winter
Peas - Fall to early spring
Radish - Anytime
Spinach - Fall to early spring
Turnips - Fall to early spring

Here is how to plan what to plant according you where you live: Average First and Last Frost Dates by State http://goo.gl/6Bc8P

Planting the Winter Vegetable Garden at The White House (video)

The White House staff was able to extend the growing season by using a simple, inexpensive cover called a high tunnel or hoop house. A hoop house is a series of metal bars set in a row over one of the beds, and a fabric or plastic pulled tight around the bars. As the sun warms the garden during the day, the fabric traps the heat in, keeping the plants from freezing overnight.

They have planted the following:

- spinach
- lettuce
- carrots
- mustard greens
- chard
- cabbage
- arugula
- turnip

In the area of the garden that is not being planted with vegetables, they are planting a cover crop of rye. This is a technique that farmers use to help re-balance their soil and, most importantly, prevent erosion of top soil during the harsh winter. This is an important technique that all growers can utilize. Topsoil is one of our most valuable commodities, and we must protect it.

Planting the Winter Vegetable Garden (video):



Harvesting the Winter Garden in February (video):



Plant CLeaR in your fall vegetable garden:

Cabbage
Leafy plants - Lettuce, chard
Root crops - Radish, turnip

Cool-season Crops - WSU - Organic Farm http://goo.gl/cU1pI

Hardy
Asparagus
Broad Bean
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Chive
Collards
Garlic
Asparagus
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leek
Mustard
Onion
Parsley
Pea
Radish
Rhubarb
Spinach
Turnip
Parsnip
Potato
Salsify

Half-hardy
Beet
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chicory
Chinese cabbage
Globe artichoke
Endive
Lettuce

References:

Vegetables for a Fall Garden in the Midwest

Planting the Winter Garden | The White House http://1.usa.gov/NJlXuw and Harvesting the Winter Garden | The White House http://1.usa.gov/NJlZCy

Gardening Articles - National Gardening Association http://goo.gl/J177f

Plant Lettuce Now for Winter Greens   - National Gardening Association  http://goo.gl/SGGXh

Planting a Vegetable Garden  - National Gardening Association http://goo.gl/7fDj9

Free Seed Starting Calculator - free, downloadable Excel spreadsheet from PlanterTomato website http://goo.gl/HtHn0

Vegetable Planting Guide Worksheet PDF - http://goo.gl/CF9u2

Fall 2011 Square Foot Gardening Plan | My Square Foot Garden - http://goo.gl/DwY8t

Vegetables in Winter http://goo.gl/RLIqC

Hoop House Cold Frame Seed Starting - GardenFork.TV http://bit.ly/XCfFaL

Make a Row-Cover Hoop House - Bonnie Plants http://bit.ly/111UHxd