How do you keep warm

[rary]

I know that this question has been asked before, (but with my computer skills it could take a long time for me to find it)
It is usualy evening by the time I can get into the greenhouse, and in the winter that is mostly cold wet and dark,I have tried both electric and bottled gas heating, which is expensive so have settled for a log burner as I have a good supply of wood such as old pallets etc. I avoid any chipboard and lamenates so that I can use the ash in the garden.
So do you heat the greenhouse when you are working in it, or dont you need to?

and yes it gives me a place to hide when there is housework to be done, and also get away from the rubish on the telly

[Jay22]

I got the wrong end of the stick with the title...thought you meant how do you keep warm! Unfortunately I don't have a greenhouse so can't answer your question but to keep warm I wear my onsie and my comfee boot slippers!

[Alison]

I have an electric rod type heater in my greenhouse at home but haven't used it for the last few years as I only wanted frost free anyway and I decided it wasn't necessary for what I wanted. What are you wanting to keep in the greenhouse? Have you insulated to reduce heat loss?

[Alison]

Just reread your post, are you heating for you or your plants? If it's for you it seems a very expensive benefit, I just wear loads of layers but don't really work in the greenhouse much anyway, what are you doing in there?

[Guest]

I don't heat my greenhouses. I am happy to accept its winter and let every settle for a winters nap and I can join them for a bit after christmad If I do potter for any reason I have a fleece jacket on and fleece lined riggers to keep me toastie.

[Bren In Pots]

Rary here's a couple of older threads that might give you some answers :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...use_77782.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...lly_81770.html

[Nicos]

I used to use a hot water bottle tucked into my waistband inside my jacket.

Not very becoming I know, but it did the trick!

[Kristen]

I have a potting shed attached to the house. It is well insulated so doesn't need much heat, but my circulation is (increasingly) rubbish, so I stick a fan heater in there when I am working in winter. I take a trolley full of plants from greenhouse to potting shed, work on them, and then cart them back again. The walk warms me up too!

[rary]

Just reread your post, are you heating for you or your plants? If it's for you it seems a very expensive benefit, I just wear loads of layers but don't really work in the greenhouse much anyway, what are you doing in there?

The heat is mostly for me the only cost I have is for a sharp saw blade for cutting the wood, which also heats me up, the fire and wood cost me nothing, I do keep some plants going over the winter but mainly use fleece to protect those, as I said I go to the greenhouse to avoid housework and the rubish on the telly, while the fire is on I can sterilize soil which I then use for hanging baskets and tubs etc. Today the weather is cold and wet with a strong wind, the temp. in the greenhouse at present is 5oC so I can go in there light the fire and just mess aboute read a magazine, and wait for my tea to be made

[Nicos]

Weak, milky with no sugar please rary...I'll bring the biccies!

Have to say that I really like the idea that you are using your greenhouse as an extension of your house and greenhouse!

[Mr Bones]

I know where you're coming from Rary, a place to unwind and erm, chill. Haven't tried this particular version of candle heating but other forms work well enough
Video reveals how to heat your home using just TEALIGHTS and FLOWERPOTS - and it costs just 8p a day | Daily Mail Online

[Kristen]

A Tealight is in the region of 30 - 50 Watts.

A 10' x 8' greenhouse needs about 180 watts for each 1C rise above outside temperature. So if its 0C outside and you want the greenhouse to stay at 16C (or pick a temperature warm enough to be working in there) you need 180 x 16 = 2.9 kW - so roughly a 3kW heater.

[Alison]

The heat is mostly for me the only cost I have is for a sharp saw blade for cutting the wood, which also heats me up, the fire and wood cost me nothing, I do keep some plants going over the winter but mainly use fleece to protect those, as I said I go to the greenhouse to avoid housework and the rubish on the telly, while the fire is on I can sterilize soil which I then use for hanging baskets and tubs etc. Today the weather is cold and wet with a strong wind, the temp. in the greenhouse at present is 5oC so I can go in there light the fire and just mess aboute read a magazine, and wait for my tea to be made

Ah, my greenhouse is purely for plants and doing gardening related tasks. Have a nice comfy chair in the front room for reading and drinking brews so am going to stick with that

[alldigging]

One important part of keeping warm outside is to keep your feet off the ground if you can. Stand on cardboard or old carpet and this should insulate your feet from the ground.

[Keeks]

For me when working in the garden on cold days to keep warm i normally wear (from top to bottom) Wooly hat, long sleeve T-Shirt, a Body Warmer, gardening gloves, Tracky bottoms over which I normally wear water proof bib and brace similar to these....noise and cosy

MASCOT® Workwear - Winter Bib & Brace MASCOT® Antarktis