Interesting Heating Method For Greenhouse Plants

So, I continue to look for cheap efficient ways to heat my greenhouse. I found this method by coincidence while researching how to make an indoor hydroponic garden. (more to come on that!) I actually altered it somewhat with the things I had around the house.

I was hoping to use a "slow release" heat where it can be heated by the sun during the day and at night I can set a timer with the heat and give my plants an extra little bit of protection.  I was shocked at the warmth a little garden hose can put off   I began to think about using radiant heat hoses (like the ones under fancy bathroom floors) and soft sided hoses...someday I will upgrade.  However, without spending any money, I wanted to just see if it would make a difference. So, I gathered a garden hose, rubbermaid container, old aquarium heater (you can get at Walmart for $20) and a sump pump (any pump will work if it fits a 3/4 inch opening to fit a hose. Fyi: for the DIY-er you can buy 3/4 inch plastic fittings that can convert any size hole to a 3/4 inch hose fitting in the sprinkler section at home improvement store)

 Here are the steps:

1) I wrapped a 50 foot garden hose around the trunks of my most sensitive plants and around the pots all the way around the greenhouse...50 feet goes a long long way!

around my peace lilly

bay leaf tree

pineapple

plants I am starting

2) fill up a Dark colored ( to prevent algae and also will absorb sunlight) Rubbermaid container or you could even use a rain barrel.  A good idea: would be to put gutters along the greenhouse and use the rainwater to fill the bucket which then circulates around the greenhouse...very efficient. I am putting that on my project "to do" list. So, fill the container with water 1/2 full.

 

3) drill 3 holes in the container: incoming hose, outgoing hose, thermometer wire.

 

4) place an aquarium heater and pump in the Tupperware and put the lid on, Ta-DA!!!!

How it works: the aquarium heater heats the water the sump pump (or pond pump) shoots the water out the hose all the way around the greenhouse and the end dumps back into the Rubbermaid. The water heats and circulates again. I was shocked at how much heat is released all around the plants. I noticed the temperatures in my greenhouse had less fluctuations.

Today I emptied the water via the sump pump. I just took the end of the hose and put it under the wall of my greenhouse.  I turned the pump on and it emptied the bucket. The water had been in there about 3 weeks and I had loss very little water and it wasn't even that dirty. The water was HOT. If you placed your hand on the hose you can definitely tell it was hot water running through.

It was nice to know I have a little extra heat around my tender favorite plants on those cold nights.  Hopefully, I will be able to sleep through the cold nights without turning every 10 minutes to see how low the temperature is getting in the greenhouse.

On a totally different note: I found this little guy in the pond next to my bird feeders. He jumps in every time I walk by making a huge splash. I alway turn to try to see how big he is thinking he is like dinner plate size...Ha Ha. He is soooo cute but only dessert plate size.

Happy Gardening!
Nicki