Drywall_Guy
Handyman
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 657
Loc: WI, USA
|
|
Got the greenhouse up, and I expect to get some pole beans planted in a week (or two at the latest). The soil is mounded up with 2" of foam at the base to shield it from the cold below. Much of the rest of our soil in shaded areas is frozen at the moment. Once we got the plastic in place today, it started heating up inside immediately. The only limitation is that my electric oil space heater can only keep things above freezing down to about 24F. But the soil heats up nicely and holds a lot of heat. Last year I planted the beans around the first of May with no problems. Going to push the envelope a little this year if I can.
|
morrisdancer
"Lunatic"
Reged: 10/27/05
Posts: 7617
Loc: Michigan
|
|
Reading your title, I was soooo ready to post, "nuh-uhhh!"
I remember your photo from last year. I want one 
Liz
--------------------
Thanks, Chris and Ernie!
|
Drywall_Guy
Handyman
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 657
Loc: WI, USA
|
|
Last year we did got some melons, but they were not nearly the size they were supposed to be. The beans and tomatoes were really good though (see pic below). What happened last year was that I took the plastic off around the beginning of June, but a few days later it got really cold for nearly two weeks - the plants all stopped dead in their tracks. I did not want to leave the plastic on too long and forget to open the door on a hot day. This year I am going to get a fan and thermostat control to send in fresh air if it gets too warm. The Big Boy tomatoes came in around the 3rd week of August (as opposed to early September) and the beans were about a week and a half ahead of the other beans. I think the extra large melons needed a lot of direct sun in addition to the long growing season.
Its a fun thing to fool around with.
|
bozodog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/07
Posts: 9938
Loc: SW Michigan
|
|
What a fun way to begin the season early! We'll be turning the garden under on Wed., and plan on planting about the first week in June. Perhaps earlier depending on the weather.
To help hold more heat in your enclosure, add a bunch of water jugs. Line them up near the wall on the south side. They'll get nice and hot in the sun and release the heat during the cold nights.
--------------------
Governments don’t bear the cost of anything; their citizens do.
|
Drywall_Guy
Handyman
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 657
Loc: WI, USA
|
|
Quote:
To help hold more heat in your enclosure, add a bunch of water jugs. Line them up near the wall on the south side. They'll get nice and hot in the sun and release the heat during the cold nights.
Great idea! We generate about 5 empty plastic gallon milk jugs a week in our family - I will start saving them. Not only will this prevent freezing temps, it will keep the overnight temps up in general, which will result in better growth.
|
bozodog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/07
Posts: 9938
Loc: SW Michigan
|
|
If your can get your hands on a few black 5gal plastic buckets, all the better. I have one I rigged up as a camping solar shower and in just a few hours it gets too hot to use without adding cold to it.
There are some interesting products out there that use water. Wall O' Water
Homemade wall of water
With these, you may be able to expand your garden without enlarging the greenhouse. (or needing the temp controlled fan rig)
--------------------
Governments don’t bear the cost of anything; their citizens do.
|
Drywall_Guy
Handyman
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 657
Loc: WI, USA
|
|
It was 100F inside the greenhouse today! (59F outside). Lots of weeds growing already.
|
bozodog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/19/07
Posts: 9938
Loc: SW Michigan
|
|
WhooHoo! That'll get the soil warm. We're tilling Friday, and will shop for our plants next weekend. They will live on the front porch until about the first of June while the soil warms up.
"Happygardendancing"
--------------------
Governments don’t bear the cost of anything; their citizens do.
|
CabinConnection
Big Foot
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 20932
Loc: The Indianhead's Left Nostril....
|
|
Quote:
Reading your title, I was soooo ready to post, "nuh-uhhh!"
Same here, but a bit different way of saying "HUH?" 
DG - Where in WI are you? I seem to recall down around Sheboygan, but your title says "Northern"? (I'm just south of Superior.)
I had the scooter out yesterday to run some errands, and saw that we still have snow in the woods here!
Your greenhouse looks great! 
|
Drywall_Guy
Handyman
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 657
Loc: WI, USA
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Reading your title, I was soooo ready to post, "nuh-uhhh!"
Same here, but a bit different way of saying "HUH?"
DG - Where in WI are you? I seem to recall down around Sheboygan, but your title says "Northern"? (I'm just south of Superior.)
I had the scooter out yesterday to run some errands, and saw that we still have snow in the woods here!
Your greenhouse looks great!
I am in the Iron River area. Not too far from you.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
