The building begins
Aquaponic tanks made from used plastic IBC totes. I halled them on the Interstate with my truck.
Here are tanks in place, tiered down to work with gravity. Plant tank, clam tank, fish tank. Aquaponic tray not yet installed.
Plant tank with edible and useful species
Garden raised bed construction. We reused granite curbs for a wall and thermal mass.
Plants, vermicompost walkway, granite stone wall/seat.
By December we had luxurious growth. Mostly hardy greens as understory to Chilian Guavas, Citrus, Tree Collards, Hardy Avocado, Dwarf Banana, Dwarf Papaya.
Mushroom logs started outside the year before brought into the bioshelter to soak in the tank and flush shiitake.
Grand central 12 volt DC power station. Solar powered switches, timers, controller with battery for pumps and fan.
Summer glory, almost done.
Our first snow. 39 degrees in, 19 degrees out.
So, here we are. The first post of what may be the beginning of a future book on backyard scaled bioshelters. Inspiration for the book coming from experiences building a passive solar greenhouse in my backyard. Over the next 12 months I will be blogging about the trials and tribulations, successes and challenges, as well as pictures of the project along the way. There’s already been 10 months of planning and building throughout 2012. For 2013, posts will focus on how the bioshelter is thriving on the inside, and effected or not by the environment around it. We welcome you to follow our great adventure, and encourage more posts. In a years time, a book could be the result.
Thanks for tuning in!
Jonathan Bates
The Backyard Greenhouse Blog 
Jonathan, any chance you could add an RSS feed to the blog so I can follow along?
Hello Clinton,
There should be a wordpress “Follow” button on the page. That seems like the best option. Thanks for following us!
Jonathan, what you have created and set in motion is nothing short of amazing, brilliant, beautifully written, engaging and inspiring!!! I will send it off to my friends who will be greatly interested in your work and contribution to healing our world.
Love, Dad
I’m blown away by your knowledge and commitment to your passion of sustainability and very proud of you accomplishments. Love mom
thanks 🙂 xxoo
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Hi guys, really love this blog and your book. Looking at the building proces of your ‘bioshelter’, how did you make the ‘bend posts’ , sorry of thats the wrong word for it….
greetings from Belgium,
Jeroen
Glad you like the site. We used a hand made wooden jig that held the 4, 16foot, 2×6 “3/8inch rips”, sandwiching six inch pieces of scrap 2x4s. While the jig was holding everything together we fastened it with screws. After releasing the jig, it all stayed in place. No heat or glue was used. I believe the jig was set at a 30 degree bend. Hope that makes sense!
Ok, i can do that ! Thanks for the info. Gr, jeroen
Verstuurd vanaf mijn iPhone
Op 11-nov.-2013 om 23:43 heeft The Backyard Bioshelter Blog het volgende geschreven:
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But whether a place of residence or business all the other human
needs addressed by Permaculture are also present, in support
of such shelter. The fresh air and scenery brings back a sense of
belonging with nature. It’s a common form of hot water heating and general
power creation.