Comments | reptilegrrl: Greenhouse

reptilegrrl

Greenhouse

Nov 11, 2006 22:56

I went outside and found the pond in the low 60s. The heating pump just can't keep up with the weather. I checked the forecast and today's high is supposed to be 69- way too cold! So I dug out the greenhouse plastic to cover half the pond.

I was pleased to find that I have enough to cover half the pond and cover half of Rex's pen. So, both ( Read more... )

al, rex, turtles

Comments 3

tothwolf November 12 2006, 05:00:58 UTC

What's the thickness of the plastic like? When it starts getting *really* cold, near freezing, I use the "clear" 6mil poly sheeting to box in the plants out back. So far it has worked very well, in fact, too well in a few instances as it caused a few things to bloom early...

reptilegrrl November 12 2006, 05:26:35 UTC

Hm, I'm not sure how thick it measures, but it's pretty thick and very stiff. I bought it at Buchanan's when I asked them for greenhouse plastic. I bought it last fall and they gave me a really good deal on it; I had twice as much as I have now, but the yard guys threw it over the fence into the neighbor's yard because they are assholes. I still have a good amount... if my recent contract pays me soon I might be able to get some more.

I was actually thinking of taking a clear plastic storage box, cutting an entance hole low in the side, and sitting it upside down in Rex's pen to serve as a greenhouse that he could go into and out of. I know those things are only translucent, but it still might collect a good amount of heat. What do you think?

tothwolf November 12 2006, 05:36:02 UTC

It sounds like its thicker than the stuff I've been using. I wouldn't want to use the 6mil stuff like I used as a temp greenhouse long-term in the sun since it breaks down, but it keeps stuff from freezing when we get those sudden cold snaps.

The container might work short term, but I doubt it would last more than a few seasons in the sun. A lot of the clear consumer grade plastics are designed to be somewhat bio-degradable so they break down when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. I really can't say how well it would hold in heat as I've never tried anything like that. If nothing else, it would help block the wind, which might help.