New Greenhouse

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by JWK, Apr 2, 2018.

  1. Perki

    Perki Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2017
    Messages:
    2,342
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Lancashire
    Ratings:
    +8,371
    Looks great @JWK looks very much like mine but mine 8x10. The powdered coated finish makes a huge difference in appearances, especially if its noticeable from anywhere in the garden. My mum has a plain aluminium 8x12 in her garden and it draws the eye to much. I got mine Pcoated at a extra coat of £300-400 which seemed far to much but I am so glad I did.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jun 3, 2008
      Messages:
      30,692
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +45,653
      Yes as others say they invaluable, I have them in my old greenhouse too. I have an auto opener for them but never ever fitted as I think its good to have low level ventilation even on cool days.
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • Agree Agree x 2
      • Informative Informative x 1
        Last edited: Apr 4, 2018
      • jeannie

        jeannie Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Apr 2, 2018
        Messages:
        6
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        retired and gardening
        Location:
        wilkes-Barre, Pa
        Ratings:
        +13
        JWK That is a beautiful greenhouse. Nice color too. Sort of blends in well...
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • CanadianLori

          CanadianLori Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Sep 20, 2015
          Messages:
          9,687
          Occupation:
          Battle Axe
          Location:
          Oakville, Ontario, Canada Zone 5A
          Ratings:
          +30,478
          Yes, louvers make a huge difference. I had to partially disassemble my greenhouses to add those and really feel that it was worth the effort. The increase in air circulation was significant. That, coupled with ceiling fans and automatic vent openers made shade cloth redundant. And that is truly a huge gain :)

          I wish they had sold the smaller greenhouses I have with the powder coating. The green is so nice.

          Does anyone over there (UK) need to heat their greenhouses or do they extend the growing season satisfactorily without doing so?
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jun 3, 2008
            Messages:
            30,692
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Surrey
            Ratings:
            +45,653
            I have an electric fan heater in my old greenhouse along with bubble wrap insulation I can keep it at a minimum 5C. That's just enough to keep my tender plants ticking over till the spring, some of them are just starting to wake up now: Begonias, Dahlias and Cannas.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Informative Informative x 1
            • sandymac

              sandymac Super Gardener

              Joined:
              Jan 16, 2017
              Messages:
              375
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              engineer
              Location:
              durham
              Ratings:
              +910
              I have an electric fan heater to extend the season, I get my first toms, peppers and cucumbers planted in greenhouse in late April/early May. otherwise it would be late June before getting them out. I am usually picking my first toms late may (first tom last year 19th may) second sowings are planted in greenhouse late June so my season goes from May to November.
              I rear all my plants in conservatory (never drops below 12 degrees C) until they are quite large as of writing my early toms have second truss on now.
              Regds Sandy
               
              • Like Like x 2
              • Informative Informative x 1
              • ricky101

                ricky101 Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Jun 15, 2016
                Messages:
                3,273
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Sheffield
                Ratings:
                +4,184
                Have three heated areas, a small seed tray sized propagator for starting the seeds or cuttings off, a heated cable bench at 10c for when the seedling and cuttings are potted on and the insulated greenhouse is kept a 4c to keep things like Fuchsias etc ticking over.

                The only problem with extra heat is that things can grow so well that you soon run out of room , but its too cold to put outside. Toms being the classic example as they soon get way to high.

                Also been experimenting with one of these little led bulbs and for its size its proven very beneficial for young cuttings etc.

                000819.jpg
                000820.jpg
                Temperature monitor on a warmer day.
                 
                • Like Like x 2
                • Informative Informative x 2
                • jeannie

                  jeannie Apprentice Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Apr 2, 2018
                  Messages:
                  6
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Occupation:
                  retired and gardening
                  Location:
                  wilkes-Barre, Pa
                  Ratings:
                  +13
                  i have 3 automatic watering zones but I keep exotics and don't start veggie seeds. It's 16 ft by 26 ft and has 2 furnaces. One is for back up in case the main one shuts off, then the other one picks up when it gets below a certain temperature. Since we are in the north in the US we keep it on the warm side in winter. I also have a temperature monitor that calls me on my cell when it goes below or above a preset temperature. I just can't be more than 30 minutes away or most of my plants would die before I got home to start another source of heat.
                   
                  • Informative Informative x 2
                  • Like Like x 1
                    Last edited: Apr 5, 2018
                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Jun 3, 2008
                    Messages:
                    30,692
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Surrey
                    Ratings:
                    +45,653
                    @ricky101

                    They look good value but what does the 28W mean? It can't be the power consumption of such a small lamp? Or is it the equivalent output of a 28W Tungsten lamp?
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Agree Agree x 1
                    • martin-f

                      martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

                      Joined:
                      Mar 15, 2015
                      Messages:
                      3,372
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      Sheffield
                      Ratings:
                      +10,302
                      • Informative Informative x 1
                      • CanadianLori

                        CanadianLori Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Sep 20, 2015
                        Messages:
                        9,687
                        Occupation:
                        Battle Axe
                        Location:
                        Oakville, Ontario, Canada Zone 5A
                        Ratings:
                        +30,478
                        @ricky101 your thermometer set up is quite nice- can you please share what brand it is? Many thanks,
                        Lori
                         
                        • Like Like x 1
                        • ricky101

                          ricky101 Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Jun 15, 2016
                          Messages:
                          3,273
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Location:
                          Sheffield
                          Ratings:
                          +4,184
                          Hi,

                          Just looked up that lamp, they state in the details -

                          28Watt Equivalent, Actual Power Consumption is about 8~10W,

                          but have just plugged it in to my power meter and its only shows 5W at 240v ac

                          I only used it to augment the darker winter days for the seedlings and cuttings; its about 6" above the plants which gives a usable 9" square coverage.

                          Though nothing to directly compare with, I'm sure it has given them a boost of healthy growth without getting drawn as they often do.

                          To say its cost so little its been very useful, the only downside is making it and the fittings safe for use in such a potentially wet area, but its only for me and the greenhouse is locked.


                           
                          • Informative Informative x 2
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • ricky101

                            ricky101 Total Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Jun 15, 2016
                            Messages:
                            3,273
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Location:
                            Sheffield
                            Ratings:
                            +4,184
                            Hi Lori,

                            What you see is the remote monitor set up on my desk in the house so I can see whats going on in the greenhouse.

                            Its part of my own diy system built and programmed using an Arduino micro controller.
                            I put a few details of it in a post earlier, an interesting hobby generally for anyone who likes that kind of thing, helps keep the grey matter working :smile:

                            Just been helping a web friend make his reptile vivarium controller using the humble Arduino.

                            Greenhouse / Propagator heating control
                             
                            • Like Like x 2
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice