When I first installed a greenhouse, it was smooth sailing during the summer months. But as winter rolled in, I didn’t know how to keep it warm!
This resulted in me day-dreaming about what I wanted to plant when the time was right. Eventually, my interest diminished. I stuck with growing veggies and plants in my lawn. After all, that was familiar territory.
However, a few months ago, my husband planned a trip to Florida, where I met my friend Peter. Peter and I bonded over our love for gardening a few years ago. When I saw his greenhouse, I knew it was a sign. He was kind enough to give me some tips over a glass of wine.
On coming back, I decided to give greenhouses a shot and got a small one installed. Since it was closer to the winter months, I could incorporate the pointers shared by Peter. On seeing the success, I decided to put together this guide to help you all.
In case you are wondering how to keep a greenhouse warm, read through the pointers in this guide for assistance.
Now, without further ado, let’s begin!
One of the best things about greenhouses is that you are in control of the climate inside. Excessive heat, rain, and wind are the biggest threats to plants, but this isn’t the case inside a greenhouse. Since water, wind, and heat levels can be controlled, it enhances the growth of the plants with no external threats.
Winter months bring about an added threat as the climate outside can get very cold, depending on where you live. It is then that keeping the greenhouse interiors warm is of utmost importance. Read on to find the best ways to keep it warm...
The best way to ensure your greenhouse gets adequate sun during the winter months is to start with positioning it correctly.
Peter said that the ideal way to install it would be by ensuring that the south wall of the greenhouse faces the north wall of the house. This will create a heat sink that can trap heat between the walls and slowly release it in both the greenhouse and the house.
Another thing that can be done during the installation is to have double panes in the windows. This way, it can trap the sunlight that comes in and not let it escape during the night.
However, if that is not possible, then buying a small electric heater will also help. Most of these heaters have a thermostat, so it is easy to regulate the temperature. That way, it can be kept on during the painfully cold winter nights for a few hours.
If you are using sunlight to heat the greenhouse, then insulation is key. It is vital that it has proper ventilation through vents and openings. Simultaneously, the ventilation has to be controlled so that unnecessary air leaks aren’t creating cold spots.
Bubble wrap is excellent for this purpose, and the bigger the bubbles, the better the insulation. All you need to do is cover the windows and doors. This stops the trapped heat from escaping, and if there are heaters inside, they do not need to stay on for a long time.
Whether you have compost ready or intend to dig a pile, it is beneficial to have it in the greenhouse. What Peter did was use a compost pile for heating. Since it is usually warm, having piles in the middle of the greenhouse can help maintain the temperature inside.
Although this method is fairly new, it is gaining traction. When placed correctly, even a decent amount of compost can heat the greenhouse to about 120℉.
Another great piece of advice Peter gave me was to cover the plants during the cold months. This was quite helpful for the time I didn’t have a way to heat the greenhouse. I used tarps to cover some of the plants, and it helped tremendously. Just remember that they should only be covered at night.
Although the good thing about greenhouses is that you control the climate, that can also be a downside. Since climate control is in your hands, there is a need to ensure that the greenhouse does not get overheated. And that’s precisely why proper ventilation is a necessity, especially if sunlight is entering from the south.
Winter sun can be brutal, which is why there is a need to be more careful. Sunshine during the winter can be bright and can burn the plants (literally). To prevent this from happening, make sure that the greenhouse has enough vents, and there is adequate air circulation. It will even help to have fans to prevent overheating.
Ensure that if you are using any external heat sources, it is safe for you and the family. Having good quality heating systems is a need because in case it overheats, it should have a feature to shut off automatically.
When buying a heater, I also advise using an electric heater as opposed to a fuel-based one. A fuel-based heater usually requires venting, and while these are great for the outdoors, they’re far from ideal for indoor spaces.Having a greenhouse is an excellent way to ensure good quality plants throughout the year. With the ability to control the climate and the right tools, it is possible to grow anything you want, especially in off-seasons.
I hope these pointers on how to keep a greenhouse warm prove to be as helpful to you as they were to me. Thanks to Peter and some of my own research, no one will be forced to say goodbye to their greenhouses in the winter.
Now, this is where I part ways with you. But, I will be back soon with more such guides!
Until next time!
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