Greenhouse Insulation: Double Down in 2023 💡 MORE VITAL THAN EVER!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

👀 ➡ WATCH this NEXT ➡ 👉👉👉To watch the actual installation of this material: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXTcd2mLYtB_fLc

[@Chasenhaws]

Yeah, I believe that conversion is correct...at least, that's what Google says! Lol And yes, -20 is very cold, but that's with the wind chill. Normally, we'll get a handful of days every winter that get down to -10, maybe -15 with the wind chill, but I actually don't remember a time that it's gone past that...which is why I'm a little more concerned about it. And to clarify, I'm not just relying on insulation alone to keep my temps up. I run a heater for the majority of winter. I cultivate haworthias, which are succulent plants native to South Africa. I prefer my night time winter temps to stay between 45°F-55°F, but I wouldn't worry too much as long as they didn't drop below the high 30°s. Normally, my heater doesn't have to work very hard to make that happen, but like I said, this coming up weather is extreme. Also, a greenhouse blanket or tarp isn't like a regular tarp. They're made lots of different ways, with lots of different materials. Some are like a thin layer of packing foam, which would be good for climates that rarely get below freezing. Others are made with a thick (1-2 inch) layer of insulative material sandwiched between 2 layers of heavy duty weatherproof material. These types are best for the coldest climates that require heavy protection year round. The ones I will be using are more like heavy quilted blankets. They're good for climates like mine, where you have just a few days a year when the temps dip down into the negatives. They're also really good to have on hand just in case you were to have a power outage and couldn't run your heater for an extended amount of time. Honestly, I'm actually kinda excited to try it out and see how it does. I know it's going to make a difference, I'm just curious to find out exactly how much.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@Chasenhaws I haven't come across those kinds of blankets before - I wonder if they're available over here? Not sure what to search for! I hope it works out for you. Please let me know how you get on. Just been reading about your sudden artic blast on the news - looks like some places will be going even lower than you - although news reports are prone to exaggeration with these things.

[@Elementaldomain]

I live in the high desert, California. Never gets below 20F in the winter. I have a hoop house. It’s covered in solar, pool bubble wrap. It lasts forever. I have had some up for ten years. Then I built another 4x4 post structure over it…..it basically looks like a patio. Covered that in regular 12mil greenhouse Solarig plastic. Of course, for me, as I grow a lot of my food, it’s a worthy investment. Factor costs over 10 years minimum and it comes out pretty low cost. Occasionally we get a winter storm when it hits 10 degrees, but that hasn’t happened in a decade. But just in case, I have C9 Xmas lights and the heaviest row cover, put aside. I haven’t had to use any supplementary heating because day temps are never less than upper 40s.

[@richardspalding3622]

You have a lovely stocked greenhouse a m surprised the mix of plants growing together its a credit to you ,thanks for sharing

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Richard!

[@JH-fv1gq]

I use the foil on the north side only under the bubblewrap. Used to put small straw bales along outside edge of cpmmercial polytunnel to keep frosts out. Straw is a cheap and good insulator

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

The key thing with it is the 4 cm gap of air left between the foil and the glass - or in my case - the bubblewrap, as I'm not removing that first if I can help it. I've heard that about straw- even seen houses lined with it.

[@GlasshouseandGarden]

I had a new glasshouse put in at the end of the garden and as a result it is surrounded by hedges on three sides. I didn’t use much electricity last year (much less than the older, smaller one that is more in the open). I’m going to monitor it again this winter but I reckon planting some hedging around the outside of a glasshouse would help insulate by sheltering from winds and chills. They reckon climbers on houses do this really well.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah anything that'll keep out the chilly winds will help. Even bales of hay. My wooden fence lasted nearly 30 years when all around it on the estate rotted long ago - the only difference being that mine had Ivy growing on it. Of course, in a greenhouse, it helps if you're only aiming to keep the inside temps just above freezing. When we're talking 12°C and upwards then things become a whole lot more expensive!

[@GlasshouseandGarden]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Very true!

[@chasmarischen4459]

Good video. Good luck. And thanks for the info.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks, you too!

[@thehazelnutspread]

I use foam board and mylar sheeting ( to reflect the light) on the north, east & west walls. Double poly on the south wall and roof. Orange thermal construction blanket (usually used for concrete work) that gets rolled over the poly at night and on snowy days.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Whatever works for you. I wish I’d have opted for a poly greenhouse or even better, not a greenhouse at all but an insulated building. Hindsight is always right! 🤣

[@Chasenhaws]

My small polycarb greenhouse does pretty well for the majority of the year with my current level of insulation. However, we're expecting temps to drop down to -20°F this coming up weekend, which is on the extreme end for where I live here in rural Virginia. I figured I better start getting ready now and get a plan in place to make getting through this extreme cold snap, and those to come, as easy as possible. After a little bit of research and some thought, I've decided to go with a greenhouse blanket/tarp. I'll throw the blanket over the greenhouse in the evening. Then, the next morning, I plan on going back out and uncovering just the south side only. I'm gonna try leaving the north side covered. I get a good amount of passive heat during the day, so I might need to remove the blanket completely, but I'm just not sure with temps this low. I'm just gonna have to wait and see how the greenhouse responds and go from there. Wish me luck!!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I wish I'd gone down the polycarbonate route, Jenna - although it isn't without its own unique problems - i.e. algae between the panels. My conversion app is telling me -20F is equal to -28°C. Is that correct? Isn't that like, polar temperatures?! Wow - I expect your eyeballs will freeze shut at those lows. You have my deepest sympathies! In terms of protecting your greenhouse, I wouldn't expect a blanket/tarp to do very much by way of actually lifting the internal temperatures more than a fraction of a degree. It depends on what you're protecting in there. If you're trying to keep the inside frost-free, then an outer covering won't cut it at those extremes you're going to be dealing with. I hope you manage to find a solution. I wish you the very best of luck - and feel free to come on here and give me an update!

[@sarahschlegel2049]

My plants take up residence with me. The husband likes it chilly...but still warmer than outside (PA USA) Can't wait to see what you do and the outcome in spring! Best wishes!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks - it's a bit of a gamble but nothing ventured...🤷‍♂️

[@Tommyr]

WOW Geoff! Quite a drastic move. I can't get over the cost you projected! Prices are way up on my side of the pond as well. But I don't have a greenhouse (I wish!) My small less than 900SqFt house costs usually around $250-$300 for heat and electric in January and the same in February. Just paid my annual school tax bill, $2,700+! It went WAY up this year. They kill us here in school and property taxes. Those streps behind you look GREAT! Good luck installing the foil. Cheers! Tom

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah it's quite a cost projection. January was the highest but even December, Feb and March were around £1K per month. It's just a projection from the energy provider - it might not (hopefully!) be accurate. This has been predicted for a while now so we've been saving up to be ready for it. But things are changing all the time politically and economically, so we're all hoping something turns up to save the day. I'm also hoping my meagre DIY skills are up to the task of 'battening out' the greenhouse!

[@svetlanapil8089]

​@@Grow_Up_Man55, we spent last year in Germany and I did not like the "projection" system at all. I still don't know how much we paid for electricity last year. Well, back to US now, I like monthly billing system much better, everything clear and I can compare month to month every year.

[@mariebaxter473]

Im in the process of building a 5 metre green house in Sussex , so tend to look at all the modern trends, A glazed porch type entrance could help keep heat in ?as there is the boundary fence to build on , and im building east /west , so will not get any light on the north side , this will have thick polystyrene as insulation.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Double-glazing will definitely be an upgrade on the usual greenhouse single panes - and yeah, thick polystyrene will be excellent. Light can always be added with grow-lights. I feel I've cracked my insulation now as my electricity costs have been slashed, but it's all about doing the best you can do in your own particular circumstances - I'm not saying I have the 'best' setup. If I had to do it all again I probably wouldn't even have a greenhouse - I'd go for an insulated wooden building and just add grow-lights, or polycarb and use polystyrene from the outset. Good luck with your build - and you can see the results of my current setup here, although I still intend adding more when I get time - probably next autumn: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2aseq2imdJ6rqssi=0lpjaRhadHJnknEY

[@thehazelnutspread]

horticultural bubble wrap...that's new to me. I was just using the regular packing bubble wrap. I'm assuming it has UV protection for it to be 'horticultural'

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

That’s correct. It’s also designed for the purpose- so has larger bubbles and more layers.

[@margaretcalifano1617]

I’m so impressed at the improvement in your Streptocarpus since the mite treatments. I was worried when I saw one of your older videos and you mentioned mites on your cyclamen. Those mites love Gesneriads

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I think the mites love every single one of my plants! I can’t shift them despite repeated spraying. I’m going to try an oil covering next. Fingers crossed.

[@Aw_tig]

Good luck with the insulation, you should film some vlog bits as you are making it. I’ve had some similar foil stuff in the past that you put behind radiators, it was meant to stop the wall absorbing all the heat and reflect it back into the room, not sure if it did much. I don’t know what you’ve got under the benches now, but I was just wondering if you have considered filling some of the empty space with something, the less empty space you are heating the better. Anyway hope it goes well

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks! Yeah I intend to film some of it. I also used to do the foil behind the radiator thing - but you can't possibly know what difference it would have made with or without it. I did used to partition off one side of the greenhouse - which you might have seen on older videos - and keep one at 12°C and one at 17°C. But when I moved over to the hothouse the warmer side went with it.

[@cosmoscosmos2855]

Bonjour, j’ai remarqué votre toile pour ombrage mais vous en avez une autre grise sur le dessus? C’est quoi au juste? Est-ce que le vent cause problème? J’ai bien l’impression que vos deux toiles seront très efficaces contre la chaleur!! WoW!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Oui, la première couche est un store enrouleur en toile à environ 60 % d'ombre, la seconde est à environ 85 %, donc à eux deux, ils font un bon travail pour garder la chaleur à l'extérieur pendant l'été.

[@EmmaMorgan09]

Hi Geoff, this just popped up on my feed! I have the unenviable task of insulating my 35’x5’ side-return “conservatory” where all my tropical plants live! It got down to 5°c last winter. All my alocasias and calatheas died back and went dormant, and it’s taken til September for them to grow back! I need ideas on how to install bubble wrap to the ceiling!!! Or should I use that heat-shrink secondary dominoes glazing? Emma x

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Hi Emma! That does sound like quite a job you've got there. I know the heat shrink stuff does work but I don't think to a huge degree - not as good as bubble wrap obviously, as bubble-wrap has all the air bubbles to provide a barrier. I'm currently upgrading my insulation to insulative foil - which is more expensive but easier to work with and much better efficiency and effectiveness. The down-side is that it'll block all the light! I've had to construct a wooden framework to attach it to - so perhaps that might be an option for you. If your conservatory is wooden then that solves the attachment issue - but if not, I guess you'll just have to use weather proof clear tape and stick it directly to the glass. At least it'll be easy to remove after winter. Good luck!

[@brenmichael1806]

Hello Brenda from Mich. I have a small Greenhouse in my Furnace room for my seedlings. I recently wrapped it with the Mylar blanket not so much for the installation but for the growth of my seedlings. Do you think this will help my seedlings or hurt them?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Hi Brenda - Unless they're seeds that prefer the dark then it should help them - as a rule of thumb most prefer as much bright light as possible so it should definitely be a positive.

[@dianeconway293]

Thank you for all your great videos could you possibly tell me what grow lights you use I want to install them in my green house next year but it is so difficult to know which to choose

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Diane - grow lights and lighting for plants is so complex there are whole channels dedicated to them! But there are some rules of thumb. More expensive usually equals better for the plants, providing you're going with the well established brands. However, it's generally true to say that ANY light that is brighter than what you had before is going to be better, just not optimal. My greenhouse lights are Mars Hydro, but at the budget end of the scale - I have a TS 1000 and a TS 600. They are full spectrum, meaning the have more available wavelengths that plants can use - but how you use them also affects this. I use mine almost like overhead fluorescent lights which isn't ideal. My greenhouse 'bleeds' a lot of the light through the glass, and they're quite a distance from the plants. You can hopefully get a sense of how complicated and granular this can become. In the Hothouse I have even cheaper 'no brand' lights, but there's likely less bleed as they're not surrounded by glass. Unless you're after maximum yield, I don't think you'd be disappointed by the Mars Hydro TS range. Good luck!

[@dianeconway293]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 thank you very much for your reply very much appreciated

[@Druexotics]

Do you have a basement or something to bring the plants inside

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Basements aren't really a thing over here - more's the pity. What I could do with all that extra space...

[@Aw_tig]

Some old houses have cellars, but they are normally cold, damp and horrible

[@liamfinch4129]

Check out a chinese diesel heater!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks, I will.

[@danielharrison2664]

​@@Grow_Up_Man55I have a lifestyle greenhouse heater which is run by calor gas, -5 degrees Celsius here and the greenhouse was at 16 degrees Celsius all night

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@danielharrison2664 Yeah I've looked into them before. I've been tempted to get one, as propane is cheaper than electricity, but then been put off by 2 things. 1. People say you have to change the bottle every week 2. They recommend you should have both a louvre window and a roof window open for ventilation - which kind of defeats the object! Is that what you've been doing? And how regularly are you changing your bottle for keeping it to 16°C?

[@danielharrison2664]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 at first I used a full bottle in a week (19kg bottle). Since then I've been trying to figure a way to prolong that, I turn the valve right down to let little gas through just before it cuts out, tiny flame which keeps at 16 degrees I've been running constantly for 1 week and bottle still is really heavy, at a guess I recon I can get 2 weeks + of constant use. As for ventilation I leave the door slightly open (no more than 1/4-1/2 inch) with windows closed for air circulation and never had any issues. I haven't insulated with bubble wrap either hope this helps

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@danielharrison2664 OK - wouldn't work for me then, as a bottle could potentially run out in the middle of the night or if I was away. The constantly open door doesn't sit right with me - it's like you're letting the cold in to heat it up again - sounds bizarre. And then there's working in the greenhouse while the heater is running. If it needs ventilating then I would expect that's because it builds up noxious fumes?? Great if it works for you - which it clearly does. Everyone has to find something they're happy with in their own individual circumstances. Nice to hear about alternatives so thanks for bringing it up.

[@OOTurok]

At this point... why have a greenhouse? You might as well just grow your plants indoors under grow lights. I'm excavating the floor in my greenhouse 3 ft. & building a Rocket Furnace that will run ductwork even deeper underground, turning the whole floor into a thermal mass.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

You’ve got a point, and if I could do it over again I’d choose a different kind of building. The house isn’t an option for me for various reasons. Underfloor heating is a great idea and I did consider it, but it just seemed too big a job to undertake!

[@OOTurok]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Perhaps in your situation, you could build a thick walled, insulated building... with the whole roof made of 3 layer glass or polycarbonate. You'll still get natural light that will heat the building, while it being insulated like a house.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Ha yeah that would have been a better option in the first place. But for now I’ll stick with making the best of what I’ve got. The bubble foil has made a big difference so far and still gives me some sun through the spring and summer. Good luck with your underfloor heating. I’d be keen to hear how you get on regarding effectiveness and costs.

[@OOTurok]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Heating costs would be free, because I live in the woods. 😃 Just bubble wrapping the exhaust fan vents in my greenhouse allows my electric heaters to maintain temps 14° C warmer. I was pretty shocked how much heat I was loosing through the peak.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Well, you certainly can't beat free!🤣@@OOTurok

[@thehazelnutspread]

1200 pounds???!!! How many thousands of square feet is your greenhouse?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Do you live in the UK?

[@thehazelnutspread]

Canada@@Grow_Up_Man55