Re: Greenhouse problems

I have a thermometer with a remote. It didn't cost much at Target, and it gives me peace of mind. You can also get one with a warning chime at Charlies and other places, like Farmtek. If you have a business, Grainger's is good and fast. I've been up so often with old dogs that I usually give it a glance as I'm cleaning up after something, so I haven't shelled out for the noisy kind.
If you don't want to spring for a ga$ heater, I think the next best is an oil-filled electric. It gives steady heat, and you can use a small fan for circulation. You may be able to get one on Freecycle or Craigslist, but they're not too expensive at Wal-mart or Lowes or HD.
I also save clear water bottles, milk jugs, etc., fill them and put them near my plants. They gain some heat in the daytime and release it at night. It's not enough when the temps go way below freezing, but it helps.
You'll definitely want automatic openers. Even in the winter, on a sunny day my greenhouse will hit 100+. Back when I was working full time, I always left home too early to open the windows, and got home too late to close them up for best night temps.
Oh, besides the obvious, like caulking the ill-fitting panels, you might want to drape Remay or something over your plants. That will give them an extra layer of protection. 

d
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jesse Bell" <justjess01@gmail.com> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2008 10:30 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Greenhouse problems
O.K., any suggestions for a heater for my greenhouse? Normal floor heaters 
really eat up the electricity and I hate that.  It's a "portable type" and
not the best in the world.  I can see where some of the panels are not
fitting tightly and will have to work on it some.  We found it on Craig's
List for $300.00. They bought it for $600.00 and never used it much. So - 
here I am - a first time greenhouse user and I know NOTHING.  Right now I
have a heat lamp in there because the temps are only low at night. No need 
for a fan just yet because I can vent the windows.  I guess I'll
eventually have to get the automatic vent openers.
We how a power outage last night, 2:00 in the morning, and my first thought was "cr*p, I hope it comes back on soon or my plants will suffer". I liked it better when I could drag them in the house...but my husband was tired of 
that.  So - HE is the one who bought the greenhouse.  I feel like I'm
leaving my children in the cold or unattended.


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