Curious about how to keep your garden thriving when winter rolls around.
Winter can present a series of challenges for even the most seasoned gardeners. Shorter days and plummeting temperatures can take a toll on your greenhouse oasis, leaving delicate plants vulnerable.
If the thought of your beloved plants trembling in the cold sends a chill down your spine, don’t worry! We've got you covered with 7 techniques to turn your greenhouse into a snug sanctuary for your botanical companions
Let's dive in!
1. Solar Warmth: Harness the Power of the Sun
Nature offers us a bounty of resources, and the sun's generous warmth tops that list. Position your DIY greenhouse kit in a sunny spot to soak up as much natural heat as possible.
Now, how can we make the most of this solar warmth
- Thermal Mass: Water barrels can be placed inside your greenhouse. They absorb heat during the day and release it at night, acting like natural radiators.
- Solar Heaters: These are designed to store solar energy in the daytime and release it as heat after the sun goes down.
- Stone Flooring: Using materials like pea gravel or stones for your flooring can capture heat during the day, which will then be slowly released overnight.
Smartly using the sun's energy can be a game-changer for maintaining a warm greenhouse without adding to your energy bill.
Explore our customer stories where Cara Coad shows her Thermal Mass setup (4:20) and Clare Faulkner discusses the power of pea gravel for passive solar warmth (4:32)
2. Electric Heaters: Consistent Climate Control
Electric heaters are a gardener's reliable companion when it comes to warming up your greenhouse. They're easy to use: just plug them in, set the temperature, and forget about the cold outside.
Our Phoenix Heater is favored for its built-in thermostat and frost-detection function. It's designed to keep the temperature steady, which your plants will love. Just a heads up – these heaters require a 240V outlet, so you might need an electrician to get things ready.
3. Gas or Propane Heaters: Fueling Your Greenhouse Warmth
Gas or propane heaters can be real powerhouses for those with larger DIY greenhouses. They heat large spaces quickly, ensuring no plant is left in the cold. The key here is ventilation – ensure your greenhouse has enough airflow to prevent any build-up of fumes.
For some DIY inspiration, look at Patrick Myers' video, where he’s modified his Planta Greenhouse to incorporate a propane heater.
4. Composting: The Natural Heater
Composting is a marvel of nature. It enriches the soil with nutrients, and as organic matter breaks down, it naturally generates heat. By placing a compost bin inside your greenhouse, you add a bio-heater that works around the clock, providing gentle warmth to your plants. It's an eco-friendly solution that benefits your garden in more ways than one.
5. Bio Heating: The Living Heaters
Did you know that animals can also help heat a DIY greenhouse for beginner gardeners? If you have chickens, rabbits, or other small farm animals, their body heat can raise the temperature inside. Plus, their waste is a fantastic organic fertilizer—just another example of how a greenhouse can benefit from the natural cycles of life.
6. Floor Heating: The Underground Warmth
Two types of floor heating can make a big difference in your greenhouse's climate without taking up any extra room:
- Hot Water Floor Heating: This system uses rubber tubing filled with hot water embedded in the concrete floor, radiating heat from the ground up.
- Electric Radiant Floor Heating: Electric cables or mats beneath the surface provide consistent warmth directly above them, creating stable and even heat distribution.
These systems are particularly effective as they provide warmth right to the roots of your plants, encouraging growth even when it's snowing outside.
7. Heat Lamps & Infrared Heaters: Focused Heating
Sometimes, you need to target a specific greenhouse area for extra warmth. This is where heat lamps and infrared heaters come in handy. They provide concentrated heat to your plants, ensuring they get the warmth they need without unnecessarily heating the entire space.
Our Tip: Don’t Forget to Bundle Up
Before implementing these heating methods, don’t forget to insulate your greenhouse. Insulation is the essential base layer to keep that heat from escaping. Seal any drafts, attach door sweeps, and maybe even line your greenhouse with bubble wrap to hold the warmth.
Grow Through the Snow: Enjoy Your Winter Harvest
With these strategies, you can enjoy a thriving winter garden. Remember, keeping your plants warm is just one part of the puzzle—you also want to ensure good ventilation and control humidity. But with some planning and clever heating hacks, you can keep your greenhouse garden flourishing, no matter the weather outside.
Do you have any questions or want to learn more about greenhouse gardening? We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message or explore our extensive library of resources designed to help your garden grow all year round.
Why Planta Greenhouses?
- Wind resistant up to 65 mph (learn more about how our greenhouses hold up in high-altitude climates).
- Withstands a snow load of up to 98 psf (480kg/square meter).
- Made with a heavy-duty galvanized steel frame.
- Polycarbonate panels provide 100% protection against UV rays.
- The Sungrow greenhouse is bell-shaped - allows the wind, snow, and hail to slide off the sides.
- Extendable (Sungrow, Sigma and Farmer models can be extended beyond 100ft)
- Made in Europe and are exclusively imported
- Maintenance-free