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When you think about the Midwest, you probably don’t think “prime citrus growing region.”

Well, if this geothermal greenhouse becomes popular, people may be able to grow citrus anywhere. Watch how the growing technology works below.

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The post Nebraska May Soon be Known for Citrus [Video] appeared first on EcoSalon.

The terrarium goes mainstream with IKEA’s mini-greenhouses.

Lately we’ve featured a number of table-top mini-environments for the keen urban green-fingered, particularly for those with more enthusiasm than outdoor space. There’s the lawn table, felt plant pods, DIY terrariums and now this latest offering from none other than IKEA, at whom we’ve admittedly thrown some proverbial rocks.

Made from steel, this clever little hothouse provides the perfect environment for delicate seedlings to sprout and for bijou plants to flourish. It measures 35x45x22 cm and weighs less than 4kg.

The simple, flexible design allows you to open the roof so that air can circulate, when the summer heat is making your greenery sweat. The price, on the other hand, won’t: $19.99.

The post IKEA’s Glass Houses appeared first on EcoSalon.

Michael Jantzen takes my breath away. The 61-year-old sustainable designer visualizes structures like an uninhibited preschooler, then harnesses his nearly four decades of experience, allowing him to turn fantasy into function. His structures are the perfect place to do some work, read a book, practice yoga, have a dance party or meditate.

Jantzen’s latest creation is called The Revolutionarium, a space that he deems a new kind of solarium. The prefabricated modular, interactive, functional art structure, is designed to stimulate the creativity of its occupants, Jantzen says. It can also be used as a greenhouse.

At 26 feet in diameter, and 14 feet high, it will be constructed from sustainably-grown wood products, steel, and glass. Four wooden screens can be pulled around the cylinder in a myriad of combinations, allowing the user to control the amount of light and heat from the sun; screens can also be used to control privacy. Eleven windows around the top of the steel and glass cylinder can be opened for ventilation.

If you want to power up your computer, electrical power can be supplied by a small, vertical-axis wind turbine. Photovoltaic solar cells can also be added to supplement the turbine. Energy captured will be stored in a series of batteries housed beneath the floor.

The Revolutionarium shown here is fitted with a movable center desk and chair structure that supports several computers. There’s also a specially designed light and ceiling fan combination mounted above the desk.

Remember the tree house growing up? Well life’s just gotten a whole lot better.

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