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Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Where I live the forecast is for 29 degrees F. I'm debating on my plant protection strategy for tonight. Currently my plants only have small cold frames covering them. No heating cables. What do other growers do in this situation?

5/13/2016 2:51:47 PM

South Hero, VT

Ron Wallace uses a quonset hut of covered wire mesh and a light bulb with a reflector stuck under the covering.

Some others use the "mini hoop house" with jugs of hot water inside. A small electric heater would work, too. If you can find disposable body warmers, those would also work well under the "hut".

5/13/2016 3:28:36 PM

http://techquarium.com/gallery2z/d/31520-2/DSC_0715.jpg


any catfisherman would likely have some of these in emergency they put of heat

5/13/2016 3:39:49 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

If you have electricity I used 250 watt outside flood lamps. Ron W hut inside with the blanket closed on three sides. Do not shine the light directly on the plant.

Also I have used candles inside as well. Work very well. With all the above I cover the outside of the hoop with a frost blanket... Has kept me going with temps in the 20's. Good Luck

5/13/2016 3:41:11 PM

Winthrop N Y

Snow is forecast here in northern New York .Sunday and Monday this means war reemay blankets and electric heater on all night. The plants must survive

5/13/2016 3:45:51 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

Thanks for the good suggestions. I'm not able to run electricity to the patch(it's too far from the house). I was leaning toward candles. Two of my hoophouses are only about 2' X 3' in size, and one is about 4' X 5'. Would the carbon dioxide build up too much in an area this small? I'll check out those disposable body warmers Steve.

5/13/2016 4:43:08 PM

Colorado

blanket over the small ones. wall mart sells three pillar candles for $7.97. The white ones 2.5 inch diameter x 8 inch long. Three will throw off quite a bit of heat

5/13/2016 5:00:14 PM

Hanson Ma

If you can get the type of heat lamps for chicks or small animals they will throw beater heat than a regular light bulb. They can be set up close to the plant but not close enough to burn. and then if you have blankets and tarps to keep in the heat. I was surprised one morning when I shut off my heaters early. The temp drop about 20 deg in 20 min in the hoop
Good luck.

5/13/2016 5:31:55 PM

Lancaster MN

I live in Northern Minnesota and it's supposed to be mid 20s here tonight. If you put some big blankets over the hoop house and if you can find a styrofoam cooler to put over the plant you'll be fine.

5/13/2016 5:53:26 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I agree with the flood lamp comment. In 2011 I had to run 2 of the 8 inch or so alum frame flood lamps out into the cold frame. A blanket over that worked well. This was in March and I think it was 30 that night so not as bad as you have it.

5/13/2016 7:13:44 PM

Ontario

We had two nites this week 3 below Celsius I put 2 candles in houses and covered with a old quilt

5/13/2016 8:48:53 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

my early start might be over....too tired from work to protect my naked plants much. I tossed a 40 gallon black pot over the each of them..and put a milkhouse heater, set at 750 watts at lowest setting on them. if the close proximity of the heater to the plant puts them down, or if the pot starting on fire puts them down, or if the morning sun puts them down (i have to go to work at 5 am ) i will be just back to normal....every year seems that my germination start is mid may.

5/13/2016 10:38:07 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

38 degrees here at 11:20 PM. I could be wrong, but think around 6 or 7 AM is usually when coldest period hits. I went with candles. I looked out the window and see at least two of them are still burning. I'm hoping the 3rd one is burning as well, but the other hoophouse blocks the view of it.
Good luck Bob(bnot)! I work tomorrow as well, but not until the afternoon.

5/14/2016 12:27:46 AM

Ely Mn

27 here this morning with colder than that expected tonight!

5/14/2016 8:42:54 AM

South Hero, VT

Day temps 50 F for next 2 days, with snow flurries in Vermont mountains and night lows high 30's, low 40's

5/14/2016 12:21:33 PM

Minnesota(dw447@fastmail.fm)

My plants made it through the night. One candle quit burning quite early, judging from the remaining wax. The other two kept going. Tonight 31 degrees is forcasted here. After that, the next five days look safe.

Keep em warm Dan!

5/14/2016 2:13:42 PM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

very cold and snow here tonight and sunday

5/14/2016 3:36:36 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

Many growers place shades over the lights in their shelters but I don't think it is necessary to do it. We have used un-shaded, 100 watt standard bulbs for years and I have never seen any ill effects. I have read articles that say that while light is needed for the light cycle, plants go through a dark cycle independant of light. Here is one:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-independent_reactions#Calvin_Cycle

5/15/2016 11:53:57 AM

Webster, NY

I have an electric heater in my hoop house connected to a thermostat. It comes on under 70 deg. However, I also have ground cables.

5/15/2016 4:38:24 PM