But First Things First

See that hill behind the pole barn? That's where the underground greenhouse has to go.
Right in the side of the hill, facing south to get the sun. That is the first priority - since we'll be getting in there the first part of June, that will be too late for starts for sale. Not too late though for my tropical oranges and other plants to live in; they are in pots and should survive the trip. Also will be taking the chameleons from my current greenhouse via terrarium to see if they can survive in the underground one up there; they are the best creatures for keeping out the whiteflies and other greenhouse pests. I love my chameleons; when the males puff up their red throats, and stand there all proud of their manhoods, they are a sight to see.

I've studied up on things, and they say that rabbits in a greenhouse in the winter can produce up to 300% of the CO2 needed for plant proliferation in the wintertime. So rabbit cages on the bottom, and the shelves for plants at hip-height right above. Fertilizer and CO2 from the same animal waste. And, later, bunnies for meat and fur... Warmth held in by the soil around it, and shelves of starts. The smell may be rough but not as long as I keep the cages clean. They do it in England, after all.

The neighbors have to drive 40 miles or more for good starts in the spring, and they are just the plain-jane stuff that everyone carries. I plan on introducing all sorts of things; herbs and some of the things I grow from heirloom and other seeds that self-propagate. They say that the growing season may be shorter than I am used to; we're in a "4" after all. But short-season instead of long, and hoop houses to extend the seasons in the garden later, and I am betting I can grow almost year-round. In this cool weather, collards should do well; I may have to introduce folks to them. The garden is large enough for a half-field of mangel beets for winter feed for future cattle; but first, first, the greenhouse!!

We have a plan written out, step by step, to make this venture not just a joy but hopefully, eventually, profitable. All of the research I have been doing in so many places, and for so long, will hopefully prove itself out. And I won't have to work outside the home and yard any more; something I never liked doing to begin with, but always had to. Smaller living, smaller gains, smaller losses. Fingers crossed, and all my hopes and dreams since I was 14, all bundled together...