This HF greenhouse stuff is getting BORING

The greenhouse may be ok for starting seeds but would over heat quickly and would need an exhaust fan and circulation fan. Also the cover looks like a cheap tarp that only last one season. Diffinetly could not be used in the winter.
I would say save your money and just grow your seeds in a bright window or under lights.

woodworm-
Not all of us are bored...

woodworm -
You make the choice to click, or not..

I like the look of the hfgh but it seems like many of you who have them are spending a fortune in energy costs. When the energy price doubles again (hold your breath), what will you do then? I just feel there has got to be a better answer.

Umm, I am heating mine with an electric baseboard heater. In my zone it ran me between $30-50 extra a month.

Of course, this year will be higher since we are doubling the size.

Cindy

There is a better answer.

weebus-
What is the better answer?

I shouldn't have said a word. You guys seem happy with the HFGH,

Weebus,

I can only speak for myself but yes I am happy with my HFGH. Happy enough that I have bought a second one to attach to the first.

But....I know that I am always interested in a better way to do things. Any ideas you have to improve my system would be welcomed.

Cindy

Hi Cindy,
It is difficult for me to contribute to the HFGh threads because I have great difficulty not believing they are penny wise and pound foolish. This bias against them, on my part, draws out the smart aleck in me which is uncalled for when someone is asking for help.

So, in trying to 'be all I can be', my offer of help in the heating department would be to line the inside of your GH with bubble wrap. I have HEARD this helps immensely, and I would guess help control your heating costs.

Weebus,

I have a clear solar pool cover that I use. It reduced my heating bill tremendously last year.

If you didn't live so far I would invite you out to see my little greenhouse. You might be surprised at what I can accomplish in such a small place. What you must realize is that those of us with HFGH are not in the 'greenhouse' business. This is for us to indulge ourselves a little in something we enjoy tremendously. Like any hobby there is an expense involved. I gladly give up certain things to support this hobby as I suppose most folks do.

Do we all dream of a magnificent 40 ' x 60' greenhouse? Sure, but because of space, economics and time to devote to it my HFGH is what fits my bill.

BTW, as far as being a smart aleck, well, I married one so I'm ammuned. LOL

Cindy

My Gh is my hobby also. My Gh is not overly large. Only 14x20. Cactus freak has a GREENHOUSE, but mine is fairly modest. I would bet it takes the same or less to heat my GH this winter as it does yours. One huge factor is regulating the temperatures. It is far harder to regulate temps in a GH as small as a HF. The heat will dissapate much quicker in yours, then it would in mine.

If I havd it to do all over again, I would not buy a kit at all, but build it from lumber and buy the glazing. I think that would be the least expensive and best way overall.

You are right about regulating the temp. It is a bit of a challenge. I have a Hygrotherm (sp) that Santa brought me so I can watch it more carefully while I'm in the house. Where I have lucked out is that my DH is an engineer and while he couldn't care less about the greenhouse or the plants he is interested in the engineering of the heat, lights, electricals and water. He put a thermostat on my electrical baseboard heater and ran the water and the electric.

It is probably going to be even more of a challenge this winter to heat because now I'm going to have a long narrow operation. But I'm sure I'll learn a lot too. I'll have to try and arrange things in micro climates.

I would like to see some pics of your GH if you have any to share.

I am having some problems with my blasted camera so this is the best I've got.

{{gwi:301646}}

{{gwi:301648}}

Cindy

Actually you just gave me an idea. I will post a picture of my Gh, as soon as I get one. I have mine completely empty, and I am redoing the insides. I think I will take pictures as I go. I am putting in new benches, I am having a 500 gal propane buried next to it (I heat with propane also) I will reconnecting my heater, moving my plants back in for winter, for the last time hopefully. I will also be hanging the lights for winter, and starting seed. It will make for some great discussions.

I would love to see the pics of your greenhouse. Especially the propane heater set up. My DH is shopping around to possibly change my heat to that.

Cindy

Weebus,
Looking forward to discussions on use of lights in the GH. I have 6 400W MH lamps out of a college gymnasium that were given to me free. Orchiddude thought they ought to work well. I used one for a limited time last year but I have bigger plans this year.
SB