From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Denver, CO

I started some flower plants and vegetables from seed this year. It's my first try at this. I have a germenation box, and works great a most have come up.

Now I want to build a small hoop house (4 x 4) in my unfinshed basment and put them inside to continue growing. Can't plant for about 7 more weeks around here in Denver. Problem is I dont know how to heat the hoop house to say 75-80 degrees in safe manner. I thought of attaching a shop light to the top of the hoop house but that will cause the plants to grow "leggy". How do I Keep the plants from getting to leggy and get the hoop house heated correctly? The ambient air temp in the basement is about 65 degrees.

Thanks for any adivce.

3/11/2009 9:19:03 PM

Colorado

a grow light will keep them from getting leggy. a black light bulb attached to a simple thermostat will get you to 75-80. I got a thermostat for about $35... e-mail me if you want info.

3/11/2009 9:41:35 PM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Most space heaters have safety switches so that if they tip, they shut off. I would think as long as the heater is UL approved, you can safely use it indoors....unless its propane, lol.

3/12/2009 7:36:35 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Usually this time of year Lowe's, Home Depot, etc have small electric heaters w/thermostat's built in. I have used these devices the last couple of years in outdoor hoop houses. No reason you couldn't use it indoors....cost approx $10. Hope this helps. Peace, Wayne

3/12/2009 11:09:21 PM

Frankfort Ohio

i use the cheap heater in my camper works good

3/13/2009 12:00:02 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Hmmmm I would look for a waterbed heater and heat the soil. I dont think it is needed. With our grow racks, if you enclose it with mylar it stays about 80 degrees in there.
P.S. if your plants are getting leggy reaching for the shop light you do not have enough light down below.

3/13/2009 7:43:05 AM