If you're looking to farm in there, plant some things that don't need a lot of heat. 1 plant of a hundred things is not a good way to do it until you learn what your greenhouse climate is. Keep in mind that good air circulation is as important as any heat you may be trying to capture. Lettuce is easy, but also prone to aphids. You could really extend your season if you pick plants like Brussel sprouts that can take heavy frost without turning into a brown worthless plant. The other members of the Cole crops are also useful (cauliflower, brocolli, etc). Leafy greens and radishes are quick and will grow in cool soil. Since you will gain about one zone, even without heat, when you see us planting outside, it will be time for you to sow indoors (springtime). If you heat it even a little, you will be surprised at the gain. Mine is glass (poorer insulation than a double wall plastic), and I figure that the temps have to drop to very low 20's F (about 22°F) before it would freeze inside. So even without heat, I gain about 10 degrees F.

The spiky purple plant is Bauer's Dracaena. So far I've actually been able to keep it alive in a window in my guestroom so it will be making a return appearance this season. It was growing in a pot. I probably had close to 70 containers last year. The Brugmansia is 'Charles Grimaldi'. I bought it in a gallon container at a nursery last spring so it's not old at all. They grow really fast. I took cuttings and had no luck keeping them alive but the mother plant stayed potted in the basement all winter mostly dormant. She is now starting to send out new growth-should be interesting this year. The biggest problem I have when I have success wintering over something tender is accomodating the size in year two. Last fall I had to let a banana get frosted because it just got too big to bring inside. Peregrine, great shots of the Boston show. Your closeups are exquisite. With all the wonderful pictures, I don't feel so bad about missing it. Sue

Arthur, i cant tell from the pic but is there a reflector on your bulbs? the light is wasted ir not directed towards the plants. when it comes to flouros it seems the fancy grow bulbs arent as good as a mix of cool white and warm white, plus they are more $. also if you could get them out new are T-5 out now that are much brighter and much less heat. i hope you have them on a timer. plants do need to rest a bit. not sure what your weather is like but maybe have the timer set from 5am-10am and then again from 7pm -10pm. better on electricity as well. i fully agree with your plan since your weather is a crutch to growing plants. but your choice of light could have been better. but maybe it is fine... the pic sure looke bright.? the problem with the florescents is they dont penetrate the leaves/canopy nor do they go that far. the farther light has to travel the less intense it is when it gets there. you might have been better to find a 600 w hps and set a timer so it is on from @5-6am till sun up then also from sundown to @ 10pm. the hps will go throught some leaves and give the lower ones some light as well. also with a 5 ft plant the bottom wont get much light form the flouros as it would from a hps. but light is light and i think you will be great. and probably the best home grown peppers in all of Scottland!!! peace Michael

It s that time of year and olants are growing again! So let's see were you grow your plants specifically greenhouses. (Sorry I duplicated that image