Heating greenhouse?

[Brengirl]

Last year I didn't bother to heat my little house and was disappointed in plant growth. This year I am experimenting. I bought a very small oil heater (with regulator) and a small thermostatic fan heater. I tried them out during the week and find that it does really seem to work. The temperature stays at about 12 and when I leave the door open the fan heater clicks into life. I am sure I can up the heat a notch or two but what will be the best for growing on my seedlings?

[Paulottie]

Depends what seedlings they are and how much you are prepared to spend on leccy. the oil heater should help at night. (how many watts is the fan heater?..is the glasshouse insulated-with say bubblewrap?) do you have any thermostatic ventillation for when the sun does come out?

.... consistency is the key. Sub Tropical stuff (eg Toms and peppers) will ideally stay in the range of lets say 10 to 20c.(max 30c) to grow well....but just once below 4 c and they will sulk for ages.

Make sure the paraffin is burning clean ...as i managed to completely coat a house and contents in soot last year...deeply irritating at the time.

[Brengirl]

Thanks Paul, that's a great help. As I live in the south west and have a sheltered garden I am hoping the temperature will stay above 7 shortly. The ghouse is half timbered and framed with polycarbonate windows and roof. It is also sited against a south facing wall. My toms and chillies are doing very nicely in front of the patio doors at the mo so see no need to move them for a couple of weeks. The ghouse is slightly lifted off the floor which allows for some ventilation and I have an extractor fitted on a side wall. If I aim for 15 degrees (without sun) the heater should switch off, if and when we do get any. Under these circumstances when can I put out my melon?

[Paulottie]

Put out melon?!!!!...what into your greenhouse?.....blimey girl, your chomping at the bit.... I'd guess sow in April and pop in the house border in June.

....try growing leeks, brussels , summer cabbage, parsley, celeriac etc. ...they like to be started in a cool house at this time.

....and OK, start off Toms and chilies if you like an early crop....but you are fighting nature if you reckon on curcubits and basil etc. now.....with that sort of heating bill they'd be cheaper to buy at Fortnum's.

[Bigmallly]

My 6x4 is bubblewrapped & kept @ 7 degrees vie leccy heater. The plants seem happy with that.

[Brengirl]

Aw well. Maybe I am jumping the gun just a little. I have two bottom heated props and I just kept popping seeds in it. They have all sprouted including mini cucumbers and melons lol. Here's hoping for an early and long summer. Whoopee

[Flummery]

I don't heat my greenhouse. I don't feel that he cost is justified when I work out the value of the crops I grow. Not to mention carbon footprint, so I won't!

[Bigmallly]

That does work BW. I made a large candle out of all the old unused candle wax, melted & poured into a tin can (old baked beans can), dangled a length of string in the can as a wick & it was still lit the following morning.....The GH stunk of wax though.

[Alison]

I don't heat my greenhouse. I don't feel that he cost is justified when I work out the value of the crops I grow. Not to mention carbon footprint, so I won't!

I have a heater in mine but haven't used it for about 3 years for the very reasons you say. You don't gain that much and at this time of year I want it cold as the onions, garlic and brassicas like it like that

[Madasafish]

Nothing goes into my Greenhouse until it is insulated and March has come. We can get bad frosts (-5C or lower) early Match... so waste of time...

[Bigmallly]

thanks Bigmally, good to know it's not a completely naff idea. I wonder if the smell was because you made your own candle - I don't find that bought tea lights tend to smell?

It could have been but it's only a 6x4 so a lot of burning in a small space.

[Brengirl]

Thinking along the same lines I am looking out for a second hand plate warmer for the ghouse.The tea lights would provide bottom heating whilst lifting the overnight temperature a bit. What d'you think?

[Brengirl]

On second thoughts I am going to have a go making one myself. As long as I leave enough space twixt candles and base of pot tray for ventilation I think it will work.

[redser]

Did you try it Brengirl?

[Sanjo]

Redser, I may be wrong but the word "banned" appears under Brengirl's name so she may not be able to answer you.