\For this, and the next several posts, we will go into a bit more detail about the individual subject headings from our last post. That is, the aspects of how you might want to configure your greenhouse.
The first point was making considerations concerning your ‘Regional Climate’. We briefly touched on whether or not you planned on using your greenhouse year round. Year-round greenhouse use includes both extreme temperature conditions, that is both hot and cold.
Cold weather use-
I won’t suggest that a majority of those that use greenhouses only have them to start their garden plants earlier in the season, but that is definitely what a significant portion of growers use greenhouses for. Doing this provides for the most economical and least features that you need for your greenhouse. The most basic greenhouse without any temperature moderating devices will typically warm up the interior around 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperatures and can hold that 10 degree delta over outside temperature for a four to six hours after the sun goes down. The temperature difference is affected by how much wind may be blowing. More wind cuts the temperature difference significantly. As time passes the four to six hours after sunset, the temperature difference is also diminished. The safe route is to only assume that by sunrise the greenhouse temperature will be equalized to outside temperature. Therefore, you really need to pay attention to the forecast before you go to bed before the last freeze in your region if you don’t have any temperature moderating devises.
You can reduce your freeze worry (and having to unload your greenhouse into your regular house) if you provide some heat in your greenhouse.
Heating your greenhouse-
There are many ways to provide some heat in your greenhouse on those cold winter/early spring nights (or even days possibly).
- Electrical heat- Probably the easiest if you have access. Simple electrical space heaters or heat lamps on cold temperature controllers.
- Gas Heat- Portable gas heaters are also easy.
- Wood stove- Burn some wood on the nights that you suspect it will freeze. Make sure to have some heat collectors to keep it warm through the morning.
- Solar heat- Build or purchase a solar heat collection devise.
- Compost (Hot Beds)- provide a significant pile or layer of compost in, underneath, or along a side of your greenhouse. Be aware of the timelines that a compost pile is hot though.
- Candles and a heat sink- Works only for the mildest of cold times.
These are some ways to make it through the cold times, or at least, get an early start on using a greenhouse. Check the next blog for discussions about venting or cooling your greenhouse if you intend on using it in the hot summer times.
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