The Chinese Greenhouse: Design and Build a Low-Cost, Passive Solar Greenhouse

Grow vegetables year-round in a greenhouse powered only by solar energy
"Wonderfully researched. I thank Dan Chiras for having gifted us such brilliant work. "
- Jean-Martin Fortier, farmer, author, The Market Gardener, editor, Growers Magazine
"Thankfully, Dan Chiras has written a prescription for survival in this gorgeously illustrated and accessible guide to the future of farming".
- Albert Bates, author, The Biochar Solution
ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED in China to feed millions, Chinese greenhouses are earth-sheltered, solar-heated, east-west oriented, intelligently-glazed, and well-insulated. They have proven highly-effective in growing warm-weather vegetables and fruits like green peppers and tomatoes in cold climates through fall, winter, and early spring using passive solar energy as the sole heat source.
The Chinese Greenhouse is a full-color, comprehensive guide to these passive solar greenhouses for self-sufficiency and year-round growing in soil or aquaponic grow beds.
Coverage includes:
How to design and build a Chinese greenhouse
Improving performance via short-term and long-term heat banking
Additional heating options to make your greenhouse operate even more effectively
Cooling your greenhouse during the summer
Operating and optimizing your Chinese greenhouse for maximum productivity.
Become a more self-sufficient gardener, growing and harvesting a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round, with your own Chinese greenhouse.
"Essential reading for pioneers of Chinese greenhouses."
- Pam Dawling, author, The Year-Round Hoophouse and Sustainable Market Farming
"If you are looking to increase your antifragility by building a truly passive solar greenhouse you will get a ton of value from this book."
- Rob Avis, P. Eng, co-author, Essential Rainwater Harvesting
DAN CHIRAS, Ph.D, is the author of numerous books on renewable energy, including Power from the Sun and The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy. He has been growing in green- houses for nearly two decades and in his own passive solar Chinese greenhouse since 2017. Dan lives in Gerald, MO.