Heater in Greenhouse

[Cranford Steve]

Evening everyone. I am thinking of getting a heater in my greenhouse as it does get really cold out here. My green house is only small and is a polycarb one. I dont think I will need a big heater but I dont want to get something poxy that wont do the job. The GH is about 5" x 4" so not very big at all. I have seen some but they look to big any suggestions, oh and the budget is quite small!

[veggiechicken]

What about insulating it with bubble wrap as a start?

[Cranford Steve]

I have thought of that veggiechicken, but I do want to keep the heat constant throughout. I will give the bubble wrap a go for now, any other ideas? I have seen some small ones but I need to know if they will be suitable.

[chris]

Do you have power in your green house?

[rustylady]

What are you intending to grow in your greenhouse over winter?

[Aberdeenplotter]

a small thermostatically controlled fan heater would do the trick. It's quite a small space and all you really need to do is heat to keep it above freezing point so the costs shouldn't be astronomic. Have a look on Ebay

[Potstubsdustbins]

I use a Parasene Super Warm 5 in my 8x6 and it stays well above freezing on the coldest of nights.

I even find myself checking what the expected low will be and if down to minus 5`C I only light one wick to save on paraffin, which can be expensive.

The glazing is 4mm twin wall polycarbonate which is a good insulator.

Colin

[Alison]

As somebody has already said, what are you wanting to do with your greenhouse over winter? You won't really be able to grow much in the depths of winter as there isn't enough light but you can keep things alive to spring into action early next spring. Personally I don't think it's cost or environmentally acceptable to have a properly heated greenhouse over winter but a heater that kicks in to ward off the frost can be worthwhile but only really if it's done in conjunction with insulation otherwise you'll just lose too much heat and will be paying to heat the garden. Additional heat in the spring to start things off can be beneficial but you'll still be fighting the low light levels.

[Cranford Steve]

I just want to keep plants and veg alive over winter. Keep them well so I dont lose them to harsh frost. As veggie chicken suggested, I will insulate with bubble wrap and then invest in a small parrafin heater for those really cold nights. As I live in the countryside it gets really cold really quick here, so I dont want to take any chances and lose all of my hard work to a sharp frost.

[veggiechicken]

Insulate & paraffin heater -That's exactly what I used to do. And lob some extra insulation over precious plants on a cold night (or bring them indoors for the cold snap). I don't heat now as it became too much faff for too little reward!

[Aberdeenplotter]

my paraffin heater developed a leak at the end of last winter so I ned to replace it. Just rusted clean through. one of these Paraffin Greenhouse Anti Frost Heater Parasene Superwarm 4 *NEW* FAST DELIVERY | eBay so won't be buying one of them as a replacement. Some of the old heavy duty double burner jobs are ideal but getting hold of them isn't so easy.

[Alison]

I just want to keep plants and veg alive over winter. Keep them well so I dont lose them to harsh frost. As veggie chicken suggested, I will insulate with bubble wrap and then invest in a small parrafin heater for those really cold nights. As I live in the countryside it gets really cold really quick here, so I dont want to take any chances and lose all of my hard work to a sharp frost.

Yes but what veggies and plant are you trying to keep alive, some need heat and some don't. For example I used to have two bays, one was left outside and died in the harsh winter, the other one came into an unheated greenhouse and was fine as it wasn't sat in soggy wet snow for a couple of weeks. It depends on what you're trying to protect as to how much you need to do if you see what I mean.

[Shadylane]

Alison's right. If you list the specifics you might find that you don't even need a heater over the winter, as most stuff that you tend to overwinter is hardy. A heater might be necessary in early spring if you're growing early toms or chillies and have no room indoors/don't want to do the morning and evening commute like we do, but veggies like cabbage and winter lettuce will appreciate the cover but won't need the heat.

[Cranford Steve]

I have peppers, chillis and tomatoes in there already! Thats why im concerned about the frost. Dont want them to suffer as my pepper plant has lots of fruit already.

[Alison]

So are you wanting to keep the plants going so that you get this years crop or over winter your peppers and chillies in there?