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Initial evaluation of bottom heat

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  • Initial evaluation of bottom heat

    I bit long, but may be of interest.

    I got given an old Crittal greenhouse (about 2500 x 1000) back in January. Moving it (assembled but without glass) is a whole other story - shame there isn't video...

    Knew nothing about greenhouses but research indicated bottom heat was the way to go.

    We dug a long side and the adjacent short side to 150mm; lined with 50mm sand then laid a 120W cable and back filled with mixture of sterilized topsoil and general purpose compost.

    Raised melon, tomato and aubergine seeds (in same greenhouse) and planted them in the bed.

    Now have a mass of tomatoes, the first of which are just turning red; half a dozen Galia melons well on the way (about 75mm) and the Cantaloupes are just setting. We have harvested four or five sizable aubergines already. Odd spaces are yielding spinach (which comes up fast but goes to seed fast), Florence fennel and chillis.

    Energy costs: the heating cable is controlled at 20C by a small computer, which also records when it switches on an off so I have a good idea of running costs. We are on Economy 7. Cost of energy about £3.70 per month on average; dropping now that the "on" period is shortening and almost entirely at overnight Eco 7 rate.

    We are in Cornwall where the climate is mild but, since I have no previous greenhouse experience, I don't know where we would have been with produce had the greenhouse been unheated.

    We never expected the produce to compete with supermarket prices but the quality is great and cost not extortionate.
    I live in a part of the UK with very mild winters. Please take this into account before thinking "if he is sowing those now...."
    ∃

  • #2
    An interesting experiment, you should be able to extend your growing season later into the year too with the extra heat, but of course as we lose the light with longer nights, stuff won't grow so well. Extra lighting next experiment lol?

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    • #3
      Yup, lights next...

      Originally posted by burnie View Post
      Extra lighting next experiment lol?
      Exactly so. With modern LED lighting rigs the power consumption is so low as to be almost free. That is one of the reasons I used a 'pooter for control: the marginal cost to extend the control to other parameters is very low compared to a battery of thermostats and timers.

      Two dangers: 1) Mrs quanglewangle said "and you are planning to put lights where, exactly?" And 2) much of the information is on sites devoted to growing controlled substances, so I am probably already on a list in police central that I don't want to be on....
      I live in a part of the UK with very mild winters. Please take this into account before thinking "if he is sowing those now...."
      ∃

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      • #4
        Invite the feds round lol

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