LODESTAR GARDENS & Learning Center

Projects for 2014

Aquaculture

Creating a Fertigation System for a High Tunnel Growing Space

Based on our research and Sylvia Bernstein’s work Aquaponics, we currently pump water from a pond containing 95,000 gallons of water (and home for catfish, trout and striped bass) to six growing beds in a nearby high tunnel. We are preparing to add an aquaponics system whereby the water used by the plants in the growing tunnel is reclaimed and recirculated in the growing process. The pond is a great source of fun after a long, hot day working in the garden. In the middle photo the white pipe carries the water via solar energy from the 600-foot deep well that feeds and replenishes the pond. The pond is home to a variety of wild birds and our five pet ducks.

High Tunnel Growing

Experimenting with HT Climate and Vertical Growing Techniques

The Lodestar Grassroots Mini Co-Op (currently comprising six participants) is experimenting with a variety of earth-friendly soil supplements (including indigenous micro organism—IMO’s), non-GMO seeds, climate control techniques (including air circulation and extending the season approaches using cold frames and row covers), and growing techniques such as vertical gardening. Our goal is to achieve year-round, maximum yields in a 35 x 72 x 17 foot passive solar heated tunnel. Our group relies heavily on the information in Eliot Coleman’s Four Season Harvest and The New Organic Grower, as well as John Jeavon’s Grow More Vegetables. We selected a high tunnel design that would accommodate gutters for rain water catchment, and chose Solex as the material for the high tunnel shell for its excellent durability and light diffusing properties.