Blog....turning a backyard pool into an urban greenhouse

[woo me with science]

Not sure if this goes in the lounge or here...

http://gardenpool.org/


From the blog:

"We created GardenPool.org to document our journey of converting an old backyard swimming pool in to a way to feed our family and live more self-sufficiently. When we purchased our first home in Mesa, AZ on October of 2009, it came with a large, empty, and run-down pool. Rather than spending thousands of dollars in fixing the pool or having it filled with fill dirt we decided to design an inexpensive & self-sufficient urban greenhouse. Initially, we had anticipated self-sufficiency by 2012 but we achieved our goal by mid-2010. Our family gets about 8 fresh eggs a day, unlimited tilapia fish, organic fruit, veggies, and herbs 365 days a year.

To our knowledge, the GP (short for Garden Pool) is a one of a kind creation.

It has a tilapia pond, grapes, and chicken coop.

The GP combines:

* solar power – harnessing and storing the sun’s energy
* water conservation – using less water and recycling waste water
* poultry farming – raising chickens
* aquaculture – raising tilapia fish
* hydroponic gardening – growing fruits, veggies, & herbs without soil
* organic horticulture – using natural methods to control garden pests
* aquaponics – the symbiotic cultivation of produce and fish in a recirculating hydroponic environment.
* biofiltration – natural water filtration method using biochemistry and duckweed.

(more at link)

[Luminous Animal]

1. Nice!

[Autumn Colors]

2. Some friends of ours have a very successful aquaponics farm

in Hawaii. They also teach to others how to build and operate systems of all sizes (including a small indoor one!). These are good people. Their goal is to teach as many people as possible, get them organically certified and trained to teach others so this has a ripple effect to promote organic aquaponic farming and food independence.

Tons of info and photos on their site: http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/

[democrat_patriot]

3. This is one of the coolest things I have seen.

Might start a small project with my daughter....

[mod mom]

4. Sounds great but isn't the standing water seen in the photo a breeding ground for mosquitos?

Sorry to sound like a downer but I can't even venture out to my garden w/o protective garb. West Nile Virus has been found nearby and we have been warned repeatedly to remove any standing water such a bird baths.

[AngryAmish]

5. Fish eat larve

[mod mom]

6. cool!

[Tsiyu]

7. The greenhouse is covered so that reduces exposure

Might the fish eat any larvae?

I assume the owners have taken this into account so that the pond would not breed mosquitos.

Will have to read the blog to find out, I guess....;)

[Evasporque]

8. Clean that thing out and skate in it!!...transitions look good...

Empty pools need to be ridden...not have a garden in them...

IMHO