The greenhouse is a good source of producing amazingly beautiful and stunning plants in one place and maintaining them. You can grow any plant in a greenhouse by keeping the temperature and other environmental conditions that a specific plant prefers.
People often grow varieties of flowers, fruits, and vegetables inside the greenhouse. It is usually warm inside the greenhouse, but when winter comes, the temperature drops depending on the greenhouse conditions.
Due to this, many people tend to ask how to keep a greenhouse warm in winter. To answer this question, we have provided some solutions to help you maintain the greenhouse temperature in winter. Here are a few tips if you are a greenhouse gardener looking for ways to keep your plants warm in winter.
How To Keep a Greenhouse Warm In Winter?
- Heat from Composting Materials
This method is used in many places due to its simplicity and ease. It requires you to make a hotbed that contains composting materials. It consists of a layer of decomposing animal waste and then a layer of soil onto which you can grow plants.
It usually includes the horse’s organic matter, which helps provide you with heat from below. The temperature in the hotbed should be about 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature inside the hotbed.
- Use of Heaters
You can use different heaters to maintain the warmth in your greenhouse during winter. Many options are available in the market, and you can choose according to your budget and needs. The most common heaters in greenhouses are paraffin, electric fan, and gas-fired heaters.
- Use of Hot Water Bottles
This very old method has been used for many years to maintain warmth in green. This will help to maintain the warmth inside the greenhouse.
- Use of Greenhouse Heating Cables
This is a very effective method that you can use to maintain the warmth in your greenhouse during winter. The cables are placed under the benches or soil, and they help to radiate heat, which helps in insulation.
These are some methods you can use to maintain the warmth in your greenhouse during winter. You can choose according to your needs and budget.
- Water Heating
You can also use a water heating system to warm up the greenhouse from the inside. Introduce hot water pipework around the beds in the greenhouse and connect the pipe system to the burner or any other heat source.
Nowadays, the hot water pipe system is often connected to the solar system. This makes it more environmentally friendly. The hot water pipes in the beds provide heat to the soil and plants that, help them in their better growth.
- Central Heating System
Installing a central heating system in the greenhouse is one of the reliable to keep it warm during winter. You can use different fuel types for the central heating system, such as wood, oil, gas, etc.
This system is quite expensive to install but very effective in maintaining the warmth inside the greenhouse.
- Solar Heating
Solar heating is a very effective and environment-friendly way to keep the greenhouse warm during winter. You can use different types of solar panels to collect the heat from the sun and then transfer it inside the greenhouse.
This will help maintain the warmth inside the greenhouse and save on your energy bills.
- Geothermal Heating
Geothermal heating is another effective way to keep the greenhouse warm during winter. In this method, the heat from the earth is used to warm up the greenhouse.
This system is quite expensive to install but very effective in maintaining the warmth inside the greenhouse.
An additional benefit of introducing geothermal heating is that it helps improve the drainage in the greenhouse.
There are many other methods to keep a greenhouse warm during winter, such as using a wood-burning stove, installing a pellet stove, and using an electric heater.
You can choose according to your needs and budget. Whichever method you choose, ensure you take all the safety precautions to avoid accidents.
- Windbreaks and Shelterbelts
Windbreaks and shelterbelts are very effective in protecting the greenhouse from cold winds. You can use different materials for windbreaks, such as hedges, trees, and walls.
Shelterbelts are also very effective in protecting the greenhouse from cold winds.
You can use different materials for shelterbelts, such as straw bales, hay bales, and blankets. When installing windbreaks, keep in mind that they should be high enough to protect the greenhouse from the cold winds.
It is very important to ventilate the greenhouse to avoid problems like mold and mildew. Ventilation also helps to maintain the temperature inside the greenhouse.
During winter, you need to ensure enough ventilation so the plants can get the required amount of CO2 for their growth.
Make sure to open the vents during the day and close them at night to avoid any heat loss. You can use various methods to keep your greenhouse warm during winter. It would help if you chose according to your needs and budget.
Whichever way you choose, ensure you take all the safety precautions to avoid accidents.
- Heaters
You can also install a heater in the greenhouse. The heaters will produce heat that will help warm up the greenhouse. Install a few heaters in every corner of your greenhouse.
If you are worried about the bills, connect the heaters to the solar system of your house. This will make the system cheaper and budget-friendly.
- Bubble Wrap
You can also use bubble wrap to make the greenhouse warmer in the winter. Cover the greenhouse with bubble wrap from the outside. The bigger the bubble wraps, the better the insulation.
Also, make sure to cover all the doors and windows of your greenhouse.
This will prevent the heat from escaping outside. The bubble wrap will trap the heat inside the greenhouse and help maintain the temperature.
- Thermostats
You can also use thermostats to help maintain the temperature of your greenhouse in winter. Install a few thermostats in your greenhouse and connect them to the heaters.
The thermostats will help control the temperature by switching on and off the heaters when required.
This will help you save money on your electricity bills and will also help maintain the perfect temperature for your plants.
- Air Heating
Air heating is another effective way to keep your greenhouse warm during winter. In this method, the air inside the greenhouse is heated using a fan.
The hot air from the fan will help warm up the greenhouse. Air heating is quite cheap and easy to install. But it is not very effective in extremely cold conditions.
You can also use an air heating system to increase the temperature inside the greenhouse. Install pipes in the greenhouse floors that will carry warm air.
A fan can pump the air from the pipes into the air. The plants will consume the air and produce more heat energy.
How to prevent overheating in a Greenhouse?
Overheating is a common problem in greenhouses during the summer. The high temperatures can damage the plants and make them more susceptible to pests and diseases. You can do a few things to prevent overheating in your greenhouse.
- Ventilation
One of the best ways to prevent overheating is by providing good ventilation. Install vents at the top of the greenhouse to allow hot air to escape.
You can also open the doors and windows of the greenhouse to allow fresh air to enter. The circulation of air will help regulate the temperature inside the greenhouse.
- Fans
Another way to prevent overheating is by installing fans in the greenhouse. The fans will help circulate the air and prevent hot air build-up. You can also point the fans toward the plants to help cool them down.
- Shade Cloth
You can also use shade cloth to protect the plants from direct sunlight. The cloth will block out some sunlight and prevent the greenhouse from getting too hot. Make sure to use a light-colored cloth to reflect the heat away from the greenhouse.
- Watering
Watering the plants regularly will also help cool down the greenhouse. The evaporation of water will help regulate the temperature inside the greenhouse. So, make sure to water the plants regularly during the summer.
- Mulch
Mulching the soil will also help prevent overheating. The mulch will help insulate the soil and prevent the heat from damaging the roots of the plants. Make sure to use light-colored mulch to reflect the heat away from the greenhouse.
The greenhouse requires a certain temperature to ensure the plants can grow efficiently. This means that maintaining the temperature is important.
Various ways can be used to keep the greenhouse warmer in winter. We have provided you with some of these ways and hope you find them helpful.