Fonctionnement - Bioclimatic greenhouse
- Find a protected outdoor location where the greenhouse can get plenty of sun and doesn't need to be moved often.
- Place the greenhouse on a wooden platform or board so that it can be easily moved if necessary
- Orient the greenhouse towards the south- Fill the dark brown containers with water up to 1cm from the rim and close the top with a plastic sheet held in place by elastic bands.
- Place these containers (thermal inertia) at the bottom of the greenhouse close to the insulation.- Position the bottle with its 'weighted test tube' in the centre of the greenhouse.
- Line the perforated tray with geotextile and then fill it with potting soil.
- Plant a dozen seeds well spaced out in each tray and cover them very lightly with soil.
- Press the soil down slightly with the back of a spoon so that the seeds are in good contact with the soil (you can also plant a seedling).
- Add a small piece of insulation to the bottom tray and then about 2cm of water.
- Place the tray with the soil in the bottom tray of water.
- Press down slightly and remove any excess water.
- Place the plant tray in the front part of the greenhouse- Place the glass pane horizontally in place with the open roof resting on it.
- Adjust the red cap of the test tube so that it just touches the open roof.
When the heat is very high in the greenhouse, the expansion of the air in the bottle pushes the tube against the roof which opens and increases the ventilation. 
Tips
- Check every day if the plants have enough water and, if necessary, add more water to the trays.
- If the heat is really oppressive, it is possible to add additional shading (cardboard, fabric) on the glass and open the roof completely.
- It is also possible to add more plant trays (yoghurt pot, etc.)
- Once the crop has been harvested, you can plant other seeds by choosing varieties that are suitable for the season.
Challenge
The aim of a bioclimatic greenhouse is to be able to get through the winter without freezing. Even if it is a demonstration project, why not try to keep the plants in the greenhouse for as long as possible. Could it be possible to get them through the winter without any problems!?
The main principles of the bioclimatic greenhouse:
- Take advantage of the sun's rays in winter and protect yourself from them in summer by taking into account the difference in the angle of the sun's rays.
- Increase the heat by using glass and the greenhouse effect
- Retain the heat of the day for the night by using a thermal mass (e.g. a water reservoir)
- Reduce heat loss, especially at night, by using an insulated north wall- Limit overheating with a ventilation system that includes automatically adjustable openings.
Photo of the interior of a bioclimatic greenhouse. On the right you can see the wall of black barrels filled with water to store heat.
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