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Garden Gate:  I started my gourds late, but...  |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 19 2007 : 10:36:04 AM
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My husband had a great idea last night. Since I had started my gourds late this year (lack of room and food plants come first) I was telling my dh that I was going to have to cover the plants until mid to late October. We usually get our first killing frost in the first week of September. Well, he said he would get me some hog wire and we could bend it over the plants (in a raised bed), have enough plastic to easily cover and uncover and then run an extension cord with a gfi socket and lightbulbs to keep it warm when it gets really cold in October.
I'm so glad I married this man. What a great idea! Do you think this "mini greenhouse" will work when it gets down to 20 degrees or so? I suppose I could actually run an electric heater out there if I had to, but that might actually cost more than 3 lightbulbs - or would it?
So what do you all think?
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
We come from Nature, we go back to Nature; health & happiness in between requires intimacy with Nature. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2007 : 2:19:29 PM
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I am not sure which would cost more, but in small space like that, 3 light bulbs will probably keep it nice and warm. Especially if you insulated with a blanket at night. Just make sure to leave plenty of air space around the light bulb- a fire might just be a bit too hot! 
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Jun 19 2007 : 3:44:52 PM
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A blanket! Great idea. I have a couple of ratty ones I use for moving furniture or whatever. Actually, my raised beds are 4 feet by 12 feet, so they're not real small. The blankets would practically guarantee they would not freeze. Thanks, Alee. And I'll make sure we make the wire high enough so light bulbs don't touch the plastic or the plants. I don't want a fire!
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
We come from Nature, we go back to Nature; health & happiness in between requires intimacy with Nature. |
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JoyIowa
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Joy
273 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2007 : 8:52:11 PM
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Try painting a bunch of gallon milk/water jugs a very dark color. (Ask friends for paint contributions.) Fill these with water (I've been known to use dish water or catch the shower water if needed.) cover and set in and around your gourds. With the cover your DH suggested, these milk jugs will gather the heat from the sun and release it at night. I usually don't have to turn my bulbs on until about 2 am, and then I do so with a timer. 4 hours of electricity is better than the 10 you'd have to have here to make a difference.
peace,
Joy
If it's not illegal, unsafe, or immoral, why not try anything once? Who knows? You may come back for a second helping! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2007 : 8:57:49 PM
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Joy-
What a great idea! I hadn't thought of that! Where did you learn how to do that, or did you figure it out on your own?
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
Edited by - Alee on Jun 24 2007 8:58:31 PM |
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JoyIowa
True Blue Farmgirl
273 Posts
Joy
273 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2007 : 7:26:22 PM
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Alee, DH is a high school shop teacher and as such we are always tinkering with ways to do things to save money. (So we can spend it on his class. LOL)
I'm amazed how hot the water gets even in December here. We almost always have spinach, lettuce, and radishes through February using this method.
If it's not illegal, unsafe, or immoral, why not try anything once? Who knows? You may come back for a second helping! |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Jul 03 2007 : 4:00:16 PM
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Thanks, Joy. I already have tons of milk jugs. I'll do that too. And maybe I'll see how far I can go with the tomatoes too.
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
We come from Nature, we go back to Nature; health & happiness in between requires intimacy with Nature. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 03 2007 : 4:03:25 PM
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Joy-
That sounds great! I am going to have to it this fall! It would be awesome to keep a tomato plant going through the winter!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tpying, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Garden Gate: I started my gourds late, but... |
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I started my gourds late, but...
