WINTER GREEN HOUSE!!!

[TexasMonster]

I am subscribed. I will be converting my 20'X20' carport into a greenhouse this winter for a Spring run. I intend to do something about heating though in the winter. Or, I may just get enough grass that a winter run may not be necessary. I am at lattitude 29n. Tonight will be our first night to dip below 32f. I think a gas heater will be good. Do you have plans to heat your winter greenhouse next winter season?

 

[nameless]

why dont you elevate them off that concrete and maybe throw a small heater in there?

 

[Durdy]

Nameless - I was thinking about getting a big ol piece of styrofoam and cutting it into proper size squares to help insulate them from the concrete. What would you do for elevation? and I would love to have a small heater in their but there is no electricity out there and I'm not comfortable running an extension cord to that part of the yard.

TexasMonster - Cool Tex, good to have you here! a 20x20 sounds like a very fun project to work with for the spring! Have you read any threads from double JJ he converted his carport and had some solid success! you can check it out herehttps://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=173095 As far as heating goes I've thought about putting a space heater out there but am just not comfortable running an extension cord all that way. A gas heater could definitely be an option! I finally made a friend whose an electrician so hopefully i can get some power out there next year. I think what's really causing them to suffer is the lack of light (3 hours direct sunlight a day). I have a friend who lives about 5 miles from me and deals with similiar temperatures, their plants look far better and they use supplemental lighting at night (unfortunately i can't do this because of neighbors)

 

[TexasMonster]

Nameless - I was thinking about getting a big ol piece of styrofoam and cutting it into proper size squares to help insulate them from the concrete. What would you do for elevation? and I would love to have a small heater in their but there is no electricity out there and I'm not comfortable running an extension cord to that part of the yard.

TexasMonster - Cool Tex, good to have you here! a 20x20 sounds like a very fun project to work with for the spring! Have you read any threads from double JJ he converted his carport and had some solid success! you can check it out herehttps://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=173095 As far as heating goes I've thought about putting a space heater out there but am just not comfortable running an extension cord all that way. A gas heater could definitely be an option! I finally made a friend whose an electrician so hopefully i can get some power out there next year. I think what's really causing them to suffer is the lack of light (3 hours direct sunlight a day). I have a friend who lives about 5 miles from me and deals with similiar temperatures, their plants look far better and they use supplemental lighting at night (unfortunately i can't do this because of neighbors)

We are coming up on our shortest day of the year. Yes, I saw that thread and his videos on it. I have that type of carport too only mine is bigger. His is 10ft x 20ft. I am gonna grow some vegetables and a whole bunch of pest fighting flowers in there too. I wont be doing supplemental lighting in it either.

 

[Krull]

Worst thing with low temps is that things get real slow.
Even if the plants survive they take a long time to progress.
Anyway you can try something for keep the place warmer.

- Elevate plants from the ground
- Use bubble wrap to better insulate the whole greenhouse
- Place some black painted containers filled with water in the gh, they store heat during the day and slowly release it at night time so the temp fluctuations become less brutal

Best luck bro

=K

 

[junior_grower]

A small propane heater wouls sufice to keep the chill out of the air. As for youe idea of styrofoam placed under each plant its a great idea to help keep the root zone alittle warmer.

 

[mgrisme]

Is the greenhouse cover plastic? looks like it could be some type of mesh. could get on Craigslist and try to find yourself a small wood stove and pipe. and place rocks around it to create ambient heat. Could buy 6mil clear contruction or greenhouse grade poly and use it as an extra Layer. Could also go to local thrift shop and buy blankets to put on top of the greenhouse at end of day to capture days heat as much as possible. I have thought about this scenario alot.

 

[Durdy]

Is the greenhouse cover plastic? looks like it could be some type of mesh. could get on Craigslist and try to find yourself a small wood stove and pipe. and place rocks around it to create ambient heat. Could buy 6mil clear contruction or greenhouse grade poly and use it as an extra Layer. Could also go to local thrift shop and buy blankets to put on top of the greenhouse at end of day to capture days heat as much as possible. I have thought about this scenario alot.

Yea its plastic, the windows have covers you can roll up to reveal mesh barriers. Luckily temps have warmed up a bit in the last week, but who knows how long that will last! The ladies are looking much much better over the last couple days, I'm pretty sure they just got super stressed out with the move outside and all the new variables to deal with. I think letting them begin their flowering inside would've helped a bit.

In terms of getting ready for another cold spell, I'm thinking styrofoam risers, and the black buckets of water ideas are gonna be put into action! cheap and easy for the lazy man hahaha


PS i also added a product called NUTRI-BOOST to their last feeding. I believe it contains B-vitamins and Amino acids, and it's supposed to be "stress relief" for plants as the bottle says. As far as i can tell it really helped them get back on track

 

[JOJO420]

Size of those pots

Size of those pots

What size r those pots? r they smartpots? I like the way the pots and the cage go together, they look perfect for a project I wanna do. Nice work

 

[Voidling]

I'm hoping to set up a green house for vegetables here and we're getting large temp swings. My plan is to use 50 gallon barrels of water for heat sinks. If need be, plan to diy solar water heating panel to raise the water temps higher. Seemed about as green as I could get

 

[TexasMonster]

I'm hoping to set up a green house for vegetables here and we're getting large temp swings. My plan is to use 50 gallon barrels of water for heat sinks. If need be, plan to diy solar water heating panel to raise the water temps higher. Seemed about as green as I could get

There are plenty of youtube videos on how to make a diy solar beer can heater. I want to make one in 2011 in prep for 2011's winter. The problem I see with them is they will not be of much use during the night time when the sun is not available. I may use a natural gas fired heater during the evenings. Or one could figure out how to store that heat from the beer can solar panel.

 

[Durdy]

What size r those pots? r they smartpots? I like the way the pots and the cage go together, they look perfect for a project I wanna do. Nice work

Those pots are 10 gallons, the smaller plants are in 3 gallons, if you look at my summer greenhouse project in my sig the pots are 20 gallons. I'm thinking next summer I'm gonna put 2 200 gallon smart pots (or whatever size fits best) in the greenhouse, and use them like raised beds with a true organic style. PS the metal cages make it difficult to get to plants, especially when they are doubled up (taller) I've been cutting chunks out so i could get my hand through easier and i get cut up all the time, it looks like I've been batteling small animals ahahaha. I'm thinking next time using rigid metal for the bottom again to keep the pot sturdy, but then switching to a stiff plastic fencing of some kind for the upper parts. Dunno but will perfect it eventually!

I'm hoping to set up a green house for vegetables here and we're getting large temp swings. My plan is to use 50 gallon barrels of water for heat sinks. If need be, plan to diy solar water heating panel to raise the water temps higher. Seemed about as green as I could get

THat water heater idea sounds fantastic! And good luck with your greenhouse endeavor my friend. If theres anyway I can help please let me kno

Tex I'll have to check out those videos, How's the conversion of the carport coming along? Oh and in terms of pest fighting plants, i surrounded the greenhouse with lavender, Marigolds, and orange porcupine flowers over the summer. (lavender was more for smell deterent) only bug problems that seemed to come up was a small scale caterpillar issue right at the end, but that always seems to happen around here......

 

[TexasMonster]

Tex I'll have to check out those videos, How's the conversion of the carport coming along? Oh and in terms of pest fighting plants, i surrounded the greenhouse with lavender, Marigolds, and orange porcupine flowers over the summer. (lavender was more for smell deterent) only bug problems that seemed to come up was a small scale caterpillar issue right at the end, but that always seems to happen around here......

My covering was supposed to be here yesterday. I plan on calling tomorrow if it has not arrived yet.

So, just so I am clear, you feel as though your companion planting did indeed help you deter bug? I know I am going to try it this coming season. I will be prepared though in case that does not work. Have you ever thought about planting any edible companions with your grass?

I ask lots of questions, let me know when you've had enough, it doesnt hurt my feelings. I know I'm nosy.

 

[Durdy]

My covering was supposed to be here yesterday. I plan on calling tomorrow if it has not arrived yet.

So, just so I am clear, you feel as though your companion planting did indeed help you deter bug? I know I am going to try it this coming season. I will be prepared though in case that does not work. Have you ever thought about planting any edible companions with your grass?

I ask lots of questions, let me know when you've had enough, it doesnt hurt my feelings. I know I'm nosy.

Haha I love questions Tex, never to many! And yea i feel the companion planting definitely helped. Didn't see any signs of bugs till later on, only sprayed till the first week of flowering with neem, take down garden spray, and caterpillar killer (sorta). Didn't have any bug problems till the end of week 7 1/2 (out of 10 1/2) and those were caterpillar issues (should have sprayed the BT caterpillar killer longer)
I sorta did edibles with my plants this summer, inside the greenhouse were the ladies and outside surrounding it were two lavender plants, two tomato plants, Marigolds, and Calendulas i believe, I also might have had a few chrysanthemums.

 

[Voidling]

@Texas A diy solar water heater isn't much harder than the soda/beer can air heater. It can be as simple as a coil of black plastic tubing from one of the box hardware stores but into an insulated box with glass top. Pump the water through it from a reservoir. The water will release the heat through the night. Not sure how much water or how warm the water will need to be heated. Also the hydro shop told me I should be fine on vegetables with just heating the nute temp on a constant drip line. Hoping to get that going soon.

@Durdy Thanks, will do

 

[doublejj]

Yep, that's what mine looked like, last winter. I made hash out of everything. The hash was really good though! I would try again with a better heater.
I'm covering my carport with Solexx for next season.

Good luck, keep trying

peace
doublejj
P.S. Try remesh wire. You can get it at Home Depot, it's 6"x6" squares of thick wire. You can get your whole arm into any square. You can splice them together to make any size you want. Look at these cages from my carport grow (link below)

 

[ganjasuiteseat]

tag

 

[mgrisme]

Durdy,
I would certainly appreciate an update including your recent average temperatures inside and out. As well as the Health of the plants.

 

[Durdy]

Updates are coming soon! the pictures are taken they just need to be uploaded and written about...........haha but things are looking up! I'll get them posted ASAP just have some holiday company over so.....soon soon

 

[Durdy]

Durdy,
I would certainly appreciate an update including your recent average temperatures inside and out. As well as the Health of the plants.

Happy Holidays

An update from the greenhouse
Average Night time temps - 42 - 51 degrees
Average Day time temps - 52 - 61
RH average for last week 70% - 80% (it's been raining)

Plants are looking much happier then they were a couple weeks ago.
They all seem to be flowering now.......in week 5.......hahahaha

Have I mentioned each plant has only been given 4 gallons of water (with 1000 ppm avg 6.0 PH) over the last five weeks? I think my plants have an eating disorder (sorry if that was offensive to anyone)

Lets go to the pics....

All I have to say is that the plant in the next two shots is a weird one. She was potted with a buddy about 4 months ago, they grew up together from seed. I dubbed them Starsky & Hutch Redux in remembrance of a past project, Hutch died while transplanting one day (snapped neck) and well Starsky has just been out there ever since man........