Electric greenhouse heating

[krazy_krok]

Finally got me greenhouse up and running and wired the electricity to it. Transferred my peas, broad beans, leeks and brassicas into it. Some of the brassica leaves are wilting so popped them in the heated propagator and put the lid on at night to offer some protection-off again in the morning. Got some french beans in it too that i've just sowed.

I've heard electric heaters are better than the parafin ones and wondered if it's worth getting one? Averaging 10c in daytime and as low as 4c 1st thing in the morning.

If heating do i have to insulate? Obviosly would be better but is it really worth putting up when i'll probably be taking it down in a month?

I ask these questions as my sons bedroom and most winowsills in the house are covered in toms, chillis, Aubergines, Cukes and melons which i'm potting on into bigger pots today. I read on here bout people bringing them in at night so wondered is this really necessary? Got a coldframe in the greenhouse to if this helps?

The Greenhouse is 8x6



Thanx
KK

[-pat m]

Your pictures made me laugh!

I ran cable down to mine from an outbuilding but have an adaptor with plastic around it (very heath Robinson) yours looks very professional - great job.
I have a 6 x 8 greenhouse in my poly tunnel so there is no wind chill on the glass It is heated by a small electric oil filled radiator and I am delighted with it the thermostat works a treat. Last year BT (Before Tunnel) I bubble wrapped the greenhouse and I noticed the difference in paraffin used - once I insulated – I estimated that I easily paid for my bubble wrap with less paraffin over the early spring. So definitely insulate

Happy gardening

Pat

[Peter]

KK, buy one of those cheapo growbag "greenhouses", errect it inside your greenhouse, place your propagator on the bottom shelf of it. From you second picture you're using two without covers already.

Three temperature zones.

Warm in the propagator, leave the lid on and use the vents in it to ventilate.

Frost-free in the growbag-house, with the cover zipped shut.

Pot luck in the greenhouse, but warmer than without the inner house.

I'm assuming the propagator will fit.

The alternative is to get an electric fan heater for the greenhouse, a horticultural one mind, and put it on frost-guard setting. i.e. Won't burn ££££££££££££££££££££££££ but will come on to keep temperature at say 5C.
For higher temperatures without burning leccie you would need to look at attaching bubblewrap od clear plastic sheet to the inside of the whole greenhouse. Qhile this will help keep the ehat in it will also cut down the amount of light reaching your plants.

[veg crazy]

We got a oil filled radiator for ours I was worried about the electric so I let my mum trial hers before we got ours as she buys electric cards and would notice any difference in usage she didnt so we went for it but couldnt find a reasonably priced one (under £50) with frost guard and thermostat then by luck I went on Wicks and they had them on offer reduced from £50 to £24 we have 3 that I class as local the first 2 didnt have any at all I rang the last and was told they had 12 you can guess what I was thinking yeh right course you do but we went over and there they were mine stays at around 10 dc and is full to bursting everything is doing fine.

[Two_Sheds]

Transferred my peas, broad beans, leeks and brassicas into it. Some of the brassica leaves are wilting

None of these plants needs heat.
They would be better in an unheated greenhouse or a cold frame. Mine are outside in a plastic greenhouse, and growing well.

Save your heat (and your money) for things that need it: chillies, tomatoes etc.