New Greenhouse

[Paul5388]

Dave, I'm running an oil filled radiator in my Harbor Freight 6'X8', which is giving me at least a 20 degree boost in temperature.  I also have "rope lights" from Wallie World as a heating mat for the plants on the benches.  So far, everything is alive, even in the 20 degree temps we've had a few times.



I used 12"X12" stepping "stones" in the center isle and building sand under the hardware cloth topped benches for heat sinks.

The heater and etc. runs off of a 12 gauge 100' extension cord, but I'll actually run some wire in conduit for it in the future.  I'm thinking of putting cold frames along the sides to possibly help hold in the heat a little better and give me more room as I move plants out to harden off somewhat.

Here's how things looked like a few minutes ago.

I repaired the first photo, since I moved it to a new location, it couldn't find the old location.

[corl]

Paul5388: I used one of those oil filed heaters in my breezeway in the winter for the dog who slept there at night. My greenhouse is about 300 yards from an electric source so electric is not possible. At least I am close to a water supply (stream).

Your GH looks great with such great starts I am still snow covered and frozen. Can't wait till I can get started too. Have been waiting for 2 months for HyTech to deliver my mushroom soil compost. They wanted to have the ground frozen for their big trucks: now it is frozen but snow covered.

[Paul5388]

Dave, sometimes it's cheaper to run the wire than to use another energy source.  You just have to make sure the wire is big enough to handle the load at that distance.  Propane around here is over $2.50/gallon when you buy 100 gallons or more and propane heat eats gas pretty fast.  With the abundance of natural gas we're pulling out of the ground, it seems like they would offer compressed natural gas (CNG) for heating purposes instead of propane.

[mhpgardener]

Thats looking nice a cozy in there Paul. Any idea as far as a plant out date yet?

[Paul5388]

Bobby, I'll have to see what the weather looks like before making a decision on planting.  We normally have a frost/freeze around Easter, so that's always in the back of my mind.  BTW, I've enjoyed your videos, including your stove pad inscription,  Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

[Husker Wagon]

 Paul5388, 

I haven't had the opportunity to say Welcome to the Forum Paul ! Nice green house and while I'm complementing you let me add that I saw your post on "The Range" and was impressed That you are a fellow reloader. 

Husker Wagon

[Paul5388]

Thanks for the welcome!

Yes, reloading is a favorite pass time, I was at a neighbors earlier today helping him get set up for .300 Blackout for the AR platform.  I'm also one of the moderators at http://forums.handloads.com/.

[Husker Wagon]

Thanks for the welcome!

Yes, reloading is a favorite pass time, I was at a neighbors earlier today helping him get set up for .300 Blackout for the AR platform.  I'm also one of the moderators at http://forums.handloads.com/.

Yes, the "blackout round" IS interesting...  We may have one in "the neighborhood" soon also..  Barrels are not too expensive. 

Will Check out the link. thanks.

[corl]

I have finally started using the new green house. Our March weather is unusual with day time temps in the 60s and 70s. I started my plants germinating them in the green house. Have always used lights and a heating pad in the cellar so this is an all new experience for me. I have about 500 plants started and some have already germinated. Will use the catalytic heater when the night time temps drop below 50 degrees. The heater will use about a pound of propane per night on the low setting. More on high but not sure yet how much. The 20 lb tank costs about $17 for a refill and I hope the nights won't be too cold too long. The cellar was always cold so I may be better off in the green house.

 As Bobby warned me the temperature swings in this little green house are extreme. I open the door in the morning when the temp inside is about 65 degrees. With the vent fully open and the door open as well the temp still climbs to the mid to high 80s. I ordered a fan that should arrive next week. Its CFM should theoretically exchange the volume of air in the greenhouse in about 3 minutes. Will see if that is adequate.

[Husker Wagon]

I have finally started using the new green house. Our March weather is unusual with day time temps in the 60s and 70s. I started my plants germinating them in the green house. Have always used lights and a heating pad in the cellar so this is an all new experience for me. I have about 500 plants started and some have already germinated. Will use the catalytic heater when the night time temps drop below 50 degrees. The heater will use about a pound of propane per night on the low setting. More on high but not sure yet how much. The 20 lb tank costs about $17 for a refill and I hope the nights won't be too cold too long. The cellar was always cold so I may be better off in the green house.

 As Bobby warned me the temperature swings in this little green house are extreme. I open the door in the morning when the temp inside is about 65 degrees. With the vent fully open and the door open as well the temp still climbs to the mid to high 80s. I ordered a fan that should arrive next week. Its CFM should theoretically exchange the volume of air in the greenhouse in about 3 minutes. Will see if that is adequate.

Coral

Glad you've talked about the temp swings & Tracked them for us!

[corl]

The heater works well to maintain min temps of 55 degrees on low when the nights are in the low 40s. I am using the roof to collect rain water to fill the cistern for watering the plants. The stream is nearby if needed. The old 100 gallon cow waterer works great. Hope to have some green in the green house soon as the plants grow. Germination is going well so far.

[Paul5388]

Dave, if you had electricity there it might end up being a little cheaper to operate.  I pay $.15/hour for 1500 watts to operate, but I don't think it runs all the time with its thermostat.  It does look like you have the best system for the set up you have now and it's looking good!  I like the hinged door you have instead of the slider I have.

[corl]

Paul: I will look into running a line this summer. Don't know how much I will use it but I am sure you are right about the cost.

[Paul5388]

As far north as you are, you probably need more heating time than what I have a need for here.  That will color the economics somewhat too.  I had to turn a fan on today, which electricity makes convenient too, if your kilowatt rate isn't too high.  Mine is about $.10/kilowatt hour.

[corl]

Our electricity rate is 14.85 cents/Kwh delivered. Maybe I should set up some solar panels to run the fan when it gets hot. Don't know anything about it so will have to do some reading. Any suggestions? I have several deep cycle 12 volt batteries around that I could use for storage. Only need to run the fan when the sun is shining.

[Paul5388]

Dave, I can run a fan and my CPAP machine overnight with one normal automotive type battery.  I keep a float charger on it in case the electricity goes off at night.  It only takes a 350 watt inverter for that kind of load, but I have replaced that battery for a gel type and added a second gel battery hooked in series, just in case.  The 5 watt solar panels from Harbor Freight might charge enough to run the fan and they just hook right to the battery without extra devices. Nope, that won't do, I was thinking amps instead of watts. 

[corl]

Harbor Freight has a 45 watt panel that would probably do the job. Just have no experience with it. When I get the fan I will run the numbers to see how much energy it uses.

[Paul5388]

Most fans use 60 watts on high speed.  A watt is a watt, regardless of the voltage used.  Those 45 watt panels are about $190 on sale. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=solar+panels

[Eddie]

I have been thinking about getting me a small green house. How does the harbour freight green house work out. How hard are they to put together.

[corl]

Last year there was a great thread on this site about HF green houses. I can't seem to find it now but it got me looking at greenhouses. I think Pjames has a big HF house that he loves and there are a lot of members that have one. I hope they chime in for your questions.. The HF house was reasonably priced but in my case I would have to pay shipping and Pa sales tax. That changed the economics and the problems that were mentioned were that the panels would blow out in the wind and the solution was to silicon all the panels in place. There was also concern that the panels would degrade in the sunlight and need replacing at some period of time. The other complaint was that the sliding door didn't seal well and the instructions for assembly were obtuse. I found the one that is listed in this thread on sale and free shipping. It had a hinged door, the panels were guaranteed for 10 years, and the panels were slid into extruded aluminum frame and weren't likely to blow out. I am happy with my choice. So far this year I have recouped over 1/4 the price of the green house just selling my excess bedding plants at the farmers market the last 2 weeks.