MAX FACTS
growing tips, news and trivia
Greenhouses Underground
A more affordable and effective alternative to glass greenhouses is the walipini (an Aymara Indian word
meaning a place of warmth), also known as an underground or pit greenhouse. First developed more than
20 years ago for the cold, mountainous regions of South America, this method allows growers to maintain a productive garden year-round, even in the coldest of climates. The walipini uses nature’s resources
to provide warm, stable, well-lit environments for year-round vegetable production. Locating the growing
area 6 to 8-ft. underground and capturing and storing daytime solar radiation are the most important
principles in building a successful walipini. This earth-sheltered greenhouse taps into the thermal mass of the earth, so much less
energy is needed to heat up the walipini’s interior
than an aboveground greenhouse.
(Source: treehugger.com)
Where are the Berries?
Raspberry harvests in Southwest Washington fell by 16%
this year, with the most likely reason being growers turning to
more profitable crops, according to a new crop assessment
report from the Washington Red Raspberry Commission.
Nearly all of the state’s berries are sold for the frozen food
market, says Henry Bierlink, executive director of the commission. Meanwhile, blueberries have proven profitable as the
industry has succeeded in educating consumers about the
health benefits of antioxidants, which blueberries delivery.
(Source: columbian.com)
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Maximum Yield USA | January 2014