Thermometer - where to stick it?

[singleseeder]

I know, I know, the title was a bit 'Carry On', but it is a serious question.

If I am going to record temperatures in a journal, what temperatures am I actually recording? Where do you put a max/min thermometer? I have a 6x8 greenhouse and the kitchen and large living room bay windowsills and french doors in the kitchen are all south facing (good for early seeds, before putting out in the greenhouse?)

What do you all record that would be useful for future reference?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Wherever you wish to record the temperatures the first rule is never in direct sunlight as this will give totally false information.

If you only have one thermometer in the GH (I do) the best location would be at mid height away from any doors or windows. This will give you an average temperature reading remembering that the temp above the thermometer will be higher, whilst the temp below will be lower.

In my journal I keep a weekly record of temperature, humidity and a general description of how the plants are performing. In extreme conditions I make a daily side note of high/low temperatures.

I am sure others will have a different way of going on but the above suits my purpose.

Colin

[Florence Fennel]

My road to hell is paved with the good intentions of keeping a journal. Colin sounds very organised. I haven't got a thermometer in my little stayput yet, it's on my list.

[Two_Sheds]

Don't put your thermom in the sun, or you'll be getting readings of 50c and up !

Mine's on the window opposite my chair, in a north facing (so shady) spot. After trying loads that have broken or been useless, I'm now on this one, it's brilliant

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have a standard high/low that I have had for many years that sits outside now on a north facing wall.

It got relegated when SWMBO offered to buy me an electric jobby so that I could moniter the GH from my breakfast table. When I looked into it a weather station was very lttle more money so we went that way.

The remote sender sits in the GH and sends information back to the base station in the house. It records and logs high/low temperatures. Records humidity and barometric pressure and best of all can send an alarm signal if the temperature in the GH drops to low.

All for less than fifty quid. Oh and the local weather forecast is as good if not better in the short term than the pro forecasters.

Colin

[singleseeder]

Thanks for the info so far. I posted this question because I realised that direct sun would give a high reading and couldn't work out where in a 8x6 greenhouse you would put the thermometer. Still not clear on this.

Also, if the back of the house is facing south, and the windowsills and temporary shelves inside french doors are used for early seedlings, wouldn't a thermometer 'away from the window' show a lower temperature than the seedlings are experiencing?

I feel a bit of a numpty, but I don't feel much the wiser.

Thanks for the link Two Sheds, more affordable than Colin's set up.

[Two_Sheds]

couldn't work out where in a 8x6 greenhouse you would put the thermometer.

somewhere shady ~ mine is under a shelf

I only use a thermometer in the gh in the winter, for min temps really, so I know when my toms can go out there etc

[chris]

Well... an apt reply to your title, and an honest answer would be 'where the sun doesn't shine'

[Tattie-muncher]

I have mine on the furthest away wall from the house, I don't know why, I just put it there.

[dexterdoglancashire]

oooh! Matron! (sorry couldn't resist!)