So cold I had to bubble wrap the greenhouse

[Dreyenn]

Brrrrrr! This cold is blowing in fresh off of Santa's big shiny rear. We here on the coast of NC, are not accustomed to so many straight nights of sub artic cold. My last electric bill was three times normal from the last cold snap. I have 4 heaters going in two greenhouses just to try to maintain 50F degrees and the forecast shows many more nights of extra cold. So, in the hopes of saving some money on electricity I purchased 2 - 48" x 100' rolls of bubble wrap and was able to wrap both greenhouses. Not sure of the R value of bubble wrap but it's got to help. I'll let you know when I see the usage graph.

 

[ktrain]

Wow...hope that helps.

This cold snap seems like it may stick around for a bit.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Wow...hope that helps.

This cold snap seems like it may stick around for a bit.

That’s what Ryan Hall said yesterday that after the snowstorm tomorrow the cold air is coming and will stay for quite a while

 

[ktrain]

That’s what Ryan Hall said yesterday that after the snowstorm tomorrow the cold air is coming and will stay for quite a while

Not really looking forward to that, but cold is all we should see, and some rain.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Wow...hope that helps.

This cold snap seems like it may stick around for a bit.

You know how people say there’s a calm before the storm well that not true here this time. We’ve had strong winds and I mean howling strong at my house for 3 days straight now. It’s just crazy.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Not really looking forward to that, but cold is all we should see, and some rain.

Ryan posted another update a short while ago.

 

[DallasFigShop]

My white plastic has holes but should do for the mid 20s... but I ordered a clear one just incase we see another vortex

 

[Gladstone1969]

@Dreyenn If it’s just Figs in that greenhouse you can save more $ by letting the temp get much lower. Most figs are fine if they are lignified well down to 20-32* F, especially when protected in a greenhouse.

 

[Dreyenn]

@Dreyenn If it’s just Figs in that greenhouse you can save more $ by letting the temp get much lower. Most figs are fine if they are lignified well down to 20-32* F, especially when protected in a greenhouse.

Agreed, but I have citrus and some tropical plants along with some freshly rooted fig cuttings. Plus, we have a big show the first of April, so I try to get an early start on figs waking up and getting everything green and growing.

 

[Dreyenn]

*****UPDATE******
When we were installing the bubble wrap, we accidentally kicked the plug loose from the socket and my heaters were offline the first night. The outside temp was 27F, but my greenhouse never fell below 42F so.... I call it a success, if it retained enough heat to fight off 27F then it will definitely help reduce my electric bill.

 

[2Angels]

I'm glad it passed the test! Thats great. Thankfully, this is just an artic blast and not a full on polar vortex. If it comes to it, you could also place another layer of greenhouse plastic over the bubble wrap. That's what farmers do in really cold climates. The layer of air in between does insulate pretty good. I hope everything goes well for you and for your show.