What is your weather like ... today

[j.w]

Cooler here today down in lizard/snake country Az.

 

[Jimmy Gibson]

High today here in sunny West Tennessee.... 85..... Spring has sprung.... But don't put your sweater up yet..... High Wednesday 55....

 

[JBtheExplorer]

We hit about 55°F today. Much cooler and windier now.

 

[Stephen T.]

We're cloudy the last few days, with some rain and sun breaks. It's been 32-40 at night, days in the low 50s. We're at 4160' elevation, so you just never know what will happen. A couple years ago, we were in the mid to upper 90s in late July, but the temp dropped to 27 one night (coincidence..? it was the night of the 27th), after a scorcher of a day. We had warning and got all the sensitive plants covered!

 

[addy1]

Aww sunny, warm, 70 at night, 82 during the day..................no complaints!

We had a bucket of iced champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us in our room! After we had pigged out all day.

 

[MitchM]

Snowing here this morning.
I'm sure it's just a temporary thing.
I'm very sure.
It better be.
"sigh"

 

[MoonShadows]

Sounds like you are trying to convince yourself, Mitch.

 

[MitchM]

It's not working, lol.

 

[MoonShadows]

I find closing my eyes helps! It's called denial.

 

[MitchM]

I installed the vent openers on the greenhouse yesterday during some sunny weather, so I am pretty optimistic.

 

[MoonShadows]

What kind...those paraffin ones that expand and open the vents? I'm always amazed that even on the coldest day, it's toasty warm in my greenhouse. Wish I had a way to keep it warmer on cold nights without paying an arm and a leg. It's like trying to heat your front porch! Do you use yours year round?

 

[MitchM]

Yes, those wax filled ones.
I have to disconnect them each fall because I have a fireplace in the greenhouse and it can get warm enough to cause them to open.
I have a few sources of heat for the winter so the greenhouse doesn't get below 48F, even when it gets down to -40F outside.

 

[MoonShadows]

This was my first winter with my greenhouse. It is 8' x 16'. I bought one of those oil filled electric heaters, but it didn't keep it warm enough....my veggies were not doing well, so I turned it off. I was thinking of getting a small propane heater for next winter.
This is a pic right after I built it; it was a kit I bought from Sunshine Gardenhouse. I have since put benches along both sides. Did you build yours from scratch or buy a kit? If I had to do all over again, I would build from scratch, I think.

 

[MitchM]

Mine is built from scratch, plus attached to the side of the workshop which helps with heat.
The foundation is ICF (insulated concrete form) and I put in infloor heating to give it a good thermal mass to sit on top of. We purchased it from BC Greenhouses and they sent one rep to come out and help set it up.
I think I'm going to take the fireplace out this year though. It could be better used in the workshop.
Sure love the greenhouse.

 

[MoonShadows]

Nice greenhouse! Is that single pane or double pane glass? The insulated concrete and in floor heating must help a lot, too.

In addition to a propane heater, I am also toying with the idea of putting in a Swedish squirt around the greenhouse to help insulate the ground under the greenhouse. It doesn't have to be buried deep.

I have also started laying slate on the floor on top of the base of 8-10" of screenings. Slate is a much better heat absorber than the screenings and would slowly radiate back during the night. I may also put some black barrels filled with water which will absorb heat during the day and give off some warmth during the night.

I'm hoping these 3 things will help keep the greenhouse warmer and heating costs down.