From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Wisconsn

I am trying to use a small (48"x48") greenhouse over my newly started plants to help keep the heat during the night. However, due to my job I cannot always be there to open it in the morning, so temps can get very high. Is there a small fan setup controlled by a thermostat that anyone has any info about? Or other ideas to control the temps? Seen them get to 120F+ pretty fast in morning.
Thanks

2/18/2011 10:39:41 AM

Topsfield, Ma.

If I'm understanding correctly and you're outside already, I think you're way too early...just a thought!

2/18/2011 7:39:17 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

back...positive I have seen pic's of temp controlled automatic vents!!! Prbly in someone's diary!! Can't remember who's diary tho!!! Hopefully someone will help!!! Peace, Wayne

2/19/2011 2:30:51 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

Here's a good quality vent opener http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?cat=2,43224&p=10543

Harbour Freight Tools also sells a cheap one if you want to chance it.

Last year I used Reemay on the greenhouses instead of plastic. It keeps it about 4 degrees warmer at night and never got over 36 Celsius (whatever that is in Fahrenheit) during the day because it breathes. I'm doing that again this year rather than rely on a vent opener to work.

2/19/2011 7:08:33 AM

Muddy Waters

You cant be planting outside.Can you? theres 2 months to go before we grow outside and thats pushing it by 10 days.They sell vent openers that will start opening in the mid 70s & fully open in the 90s.they have a wax type substance that heats & expands in a cyclinder to open hinge.about 40 to 50 bucks Charlies Green house has them.

2/19/2011 7:39:27 AM

Wisconsn

Haven't planted yet, not close. In Wisconsin I can't go outside until after Mothers day. Start them inside, but once they go in the ground it seems like they do nothing for about 2-3 weeks. Think it gets to cold at night. So experimented with individual 2x2 frame and clear plastic "greenhouses" last year. But like I said, gets way to hot by 7 AM with the sun beating on them. So have to find a way to vent them. Found a thermostat at http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/controls.shtml that I can wire up a fan that should work. Been working with pumpkins for 4 years now, biggest one was #550. If I don't get a really good one this year I'm done!
Thanks for all the replies

2/19/2011 11:49:13 AM

Muddy Waters

Be carefull with fan to big, What time do you go to work?It might be better to uncover plant in mourning & just heat at night or ground warming cables are 40 bucks they shut off at 74 degrees.Do you put 4x4 house over growing spot 1 week before planting to heat up ground??That would help.

2/19/2011 6:17:04 PM

Wisconsn

I travel frequently for work. I can get the family to turn on the hose and do some other things but don't trust them to uncover plants. Got cables ordered, would that be enough or should I still cover the small plants? Can do it for about another $70 or so for fans and thermostat to do three plants. What the hey...in for a penny, in for a pound. I didn't put house over ground before planting, that's a good idea.

2/19/2011 6:42:38 PM

charlotte,Ia

i use heat cables, a small heater with thermostat , and for the day time i have one end of my cold frame is made of wood with a greehouse window opener that will open up when the temp rises durning the day and will close it self in the afternoon til i get home.

3/31/2011 8:09:32 PM