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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Zone 7 in Minnesota

16 years ago

I have a sort of green house. It is attached to my home, has insulation/siding/ similar to my house, with a poly-carbonate roof. I don't have any heating or venting in my greenhouse, and don't plan to any time soon. Winter evenings, the greenhouse gets down to about 15 degrees. In the daytime it averages around 40 degrees. Would it be safe to think of my greenhouse as say, zone 7, thereby allowing me to overwinter some plants I couldn't otherwise have? Minnesota winter's are not terribly sunny, in case that's a factor. Thanks for your input.

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Comments (3)

conifers
16 years ago
If it gets too hot in there surround it with white poly.

Dax
Amazindirt (7a TN)
16 years ago
Does it AVERAGE 15 degree lows? If so, that's colder for a longer period than zone 7. You could certainly consider it 5 or maybe 6, but I'm not sure about 7.

For comparison, we've had TWO nights this winter that got down to 15 -- so far. Zones are not only about the lowest temperature, but also the DURATION of the cold. Yesterday our high was 62, low 40-something. Today our high is forecast to be 53, low high 30s.
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User
Original Author
16 years ago
I should probably keep track of the temps, then I could get a better feel for things. I would estimate that the average low is 25 degrees, with several 15Âs in there. So, zone 6 might be a safer bet?

Also, anyone have any tips on winterizing ideas? This Fall we did a lot of caulking, we installed bubble wrap (From CharlieÂs Greenhouse and Garden) on the windows, usually install Reflectix on the South wall but didnÂt get around to it this year, and put plastic on the flimsy screen door that leads outside. IÂd like to replace this with a better door, but that wonÂt happen this year. Any other ideas? On sunny days, which are rare in January but more frequent in February, temps can exceed 100 in the daytime. Does that cause a problem for over-wintering plants? If I know it will be sunny, I open the dining room door too cool things down and oh, that is so lovely. CanÂt wait for those sunny days!

Any ideas for warming individual plants ie boot warming trays, pipe tape, Christmas lights, cold frame inside green house? DonÂt know if any of those would work.

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