jd
Musher
Posts: 26
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Post by jd on Mar 20, 2006 19:39:35 GMT -5
Hi all. I sure would like info on greenhouses in Alaska. I really would like to be able to extend the season both directions. Thanks JD
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Post by pipedreams on Apr 6, 2006 15:44:31 GMT -5
I guess the technical difference between a greenhouse and a cold frame is that the former involves a self contained heating system and grow lights, the later is simply a light gathering heat sink.......... So what we built was a big cold frame........essentially a glass frame that got all it's light from the sun and most of its heat too although I did put four 100 watt bulbs in there to keep it from getting too cold at night...and we often covered the top with some leftover R19 insulation and a tarp to trap the heat at night. Basically we used it to start most everything around this time of year....and would sometimes bring our tomato plants in there during long periods of cold rainy weather...........always grew them in 5 gallon buckets so we could move them around. Mine was about 6 feet high and maybe 7 feet wide and 8 feet long.........made from old windows taken out of military housing..........they were tripple pane no less! but only cost $10 each..............so the whole thing cost about $150 to make....... Wasn't the prettiest building on the homestead, but it did it's job......... I would post a picture of it, but I can't find one to save my life right now.........
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Post by ugashikrobert on Apr 7, 2006 13:36:42 GMT -5
My bride has a store bought (some assembly required) greenhouse in transit and after reading this post realized it will be a cold frame unless I provide some type of heating. I would like to find something more energy effecient than 100w bulbs and better understand the limitations/rewards from heating.
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Post by alwayshome on Apr 11, 2006 18:29:15 GMT -5
I don't know if this will help you heating question but I have a greenhouse built on one end of our barn. It has a fiberglass roof with 4ft high plywood sides, so it is mainly roof. I has a cement floor and I put about 10 55 gallon barrels filled with water in there for solar collectors. They gather heat in the day and release it at night. I also have a small woodstove for heat in the spring so I can releive my windowsills of way too many plant. With the woodstove I can keep it about 20 degrees wamer than the outside temp. Hope this helps.
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Post by ugashikrobert on Apr 14, 2006 11:15:58 GMT -5
Alwayshome: Thanks for the input. This is the kit my bride is receiving as a gift from friends: www.texasgreenhouse.com/order/rion1.html As you can see there is a lot sun access and the water barrels are a excellent idea as we have plenty of water. Any form of wood heating is a problem as we live in the land of no trees.
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