The Hydroponic Hot House: Low-Cost High-Yield Greenhouse Gardening by James B. DeKorne Reviewed by Chris Greacen In 1975 James B. DeKorne wrote The Survival Greenhouse to advertise greenhouse gardening as a way of providing all of a family's food needs. His was aiming for a greenhouse which would produce vegetables and fish year round, using only organic materials generated on site, and energy from the sun and a small windmill. The quest turned out to be unrealistic. In the "Author's Confession and Introduction" in this latest book, The Hydroponic Hot House (©1992 Loompanics Press), DeKorne writes, "Much of the stuff appearing in the back-to-the-land publications from that era converted unproven hypotheses into proven facts. I am not proud to admit I am responsible for my own share of it... This publication is a description of my on-going experience with those original concepts and an attempt to put them into some realistic perspective." The result is a down-to-earth book of greenhouse design and techniques which evolved from 20 years and a succession of greenhouses at his New Mexico homesite. The design he was eventually most happy with was an attached greenhouse, providing heating for his home, while the home provided CO2 for the plants. INSERT ILLUSTRATION Especially strong is a section on hydroponic gardening (growing plants without soil), which DeKorne finds the most successful for growing lots of vegetables in a small space. His low-tech hydroponic approach is automated, using water pumps powered by a small photovoltaic array. The book also covers greenhouse temperature control, greenhouse management (when to plant and when to pull out the plants), and pest control. There is an interesting portion on the response of plants to temperature, photoperiod, and CO2 (DeKorne had excellent results with Club Soda carbonated water). If you're new to greenhouses you'll find this 181 page book informative and easy to read. If you're a greenhouse veteran, this book is still likely to pay for itself a few times over in pointing you towards realistic possibilities and away from dead ends in greenhouse work. Access The Hydroponic Hot House: Low-Cost High Yield Greenhouse Gardening by James B. DeKorne (ISBN# 1-55950-079-4) is available for $20.95 from Loompanics Unlimited, POB 1197, Port Townsend, WA 98368 ¥ 206-385- 5087.