If you’ve ever stared at your snow-covered backyard and thought, “Could I still grow food out there?”, you’re not alone. Edmonton’s outdoor growing season is short, but passive solar greenhouses can stretch it by months or even make it year-round.
In this 2-hour workshop, Kim Ross will show you the key concepts behind designing a four-season greenhouse that works with our cold, sunny climate. Whether you’re dreaming of winter kale or just tired of store-bought herbs, this session will help you rethink what’s possible.
What You’ll Learn
- What makes a greenhouse “passive solar”, and why it works in Alberta
- How to keep plants warm at -30°C without a gas bill
- What glazing and materials perform best for our climate
- Simple design decisions that create big savings and better harvests
- How to grow greens, herbs, and veggies through all four seasons
- Why this approach is ideal for urban backyards and small-scale growers
Edmonton-Friendly, Climate-Smart, and Surprisingly Simple
Unlike traditional greenhouses that rely on fossil-fuel heating, passive solar designs store heat from the sun, no power tools or high-tech gadgets required. They’re surprisingly affordable to run (about $1/day in electricity for automation), and with the right materials, they stand up beautifully to prairie winters.
For Edmonton homeowners, that means more than just fresh greens in January.
It means lower grocery bills, improved food security, and a real sense of resilience. And for communities, it means a way to grow local food sustainably, even in February.
How It’s Already Working in Alberta
One of Alberta’s largest passive solar greenhouses, near Olds, maintains a cozy 28°C inside even when it’s -25°C outside, using only sunlight and smart design. These greenhouses cut heating costs by 90% or more, slash carbon emissions, and allow for truly local, year-round food.
And of course our instructor will tell you about hers as well. And who is that exactly?
Who’s Leading the Event?
Kim Ross – Passive Solar Greenhouse Educator. Kim is a fifth-generation farm girl from Mannville, Alberta, and owner of Rossdale Farm. She holds a Master Gardener certification and has completed the Prairie Horticulture Certificate program from the University of Saskatchewan with specialization in both greenhouse crop production and vegetable & fruit production.​
Kim operates a 12′ x 30′ passive solar greenhouse for year-round food production, from spring transplant production through winter harvest of leafy greens and strawberries.
She combines greenhouse expertise with regenerative no-till gardening techniques, focusing on chemical-free production and soil health optimization.
An experienced instructor, Kim has taught greenhouse and sustainable gardening workshops through university programs and agricultural organizations. Her expertise spans passive solar greenhouse design and operation, year-round crop production for prairie climates, and regenerative farming practices.
Kim’s deep agricultural heritage and commitment to sustainable food production make her a trusted resource for both home gardeners and small-scale farmers seeking climate-adapted growing solutions. Visit her on her Rossdale Farm Facebook page.
Take Home More Than Just Tips
You’ll leave with a solid understanding of how passive solar greenhouses work, what to consider before building one, and why this method might be one of the most powerful tools for food resilience in Edmonton’s changing climate.
