FIFTY YEARS ago when Dick was studying chemical and process engineering, little thought was given to harnessing the sun’s energy. In fact much more attention was paid to lagging everything to prevent heat loss. Since then more and more has become possible, especially in recent years, stimulated by the increased risks associated with the future cost and availability of fossil fuels.

Grow winter vegetables and summer fruits on apartment and villa balconies and terraces. You will be amazed by the affect of the overnight radiant heat from the walls heated up by the daytime sun, even in the winter. This year we harvested tomatoes on an upstairs three square metre terrace two months earlier than on our allotment, which was later than normal due to the extended winter this year. (See the photograph of a three square metre balcony vegetable plot on page 169 of ‘Apartment Gardening Mediterranean Style’ - our latest book).

Install a solar water heater for the swimming pool and add a cover for winter swimming and to facilitate the growing of late and early tomatoes etc., especially in frost exposed situations.

Install a sun heated hot shower alongside the pool.