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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

A heated greenhouse of sorts to protect from Florida frost.

8 years ago

I would like to pass this idea at the group...I have young palms planted in the yard and want to protect them from the frost this winter. I am in central Florida so just something to protect...What I was thinking was to get a 5gal bucket of water and put a fish tank heater in it and cover with frost blanket. Anyone with pros/cons? Thanks.

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Comments (3)

agreenthumb
Original Author
8 years ago
Like Bookmarked Yesterday at 9:25AM

steve333_gw(5a)

agreenthumb, I'm guessing you are thinking of a separate 5gal bucket and heater for each palm. What about coverings, will you be throwing a blanket or the like over the palm/bucket and making it air tight over night when needed?

Not being from that area, I am only guessing as to your heating needs. But I would think that if you keep the heater on prior to needing the protection so the water in the bucket is already warm, then it would work (assuming there is some cover to keep the heat in and cold out). The limiting factor is the amount of heat one of those aquarium heaters can put out, and the thermal mass of the water needing to be heated up if it is cold. If you are going to be around for these freeze events, you might be able to skip the heater, and just fill the buckets with hot water from your house at night and cover, and that might be enough to carry it overnight.

Another possible solution would be just an old fashion light bulb near the palm with covering. You would need to do some testing to get the right wattage so that it doesn't overheat the tree. Even a few Xmas lights might do it, depending on how cold it gets, how big the trees are, etc. That might be an easier and less costly solution.

Again this all depends on how cold these events are and how long they last...

Like Bookmark 22 hours ago

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agreenthumb

Hello Steve...good points...haven't done any tests yet but yes want to make a wood teepee frame with frost blanket material that is breathable and allows ambient light to shine through and also a way to capture the heat being released from the heated bucket so I can keep it on throughout the cold snaps. I am just wanting to dial in the heater so that it can automatically regulate the temperature. At least that's the plan.

Like Bookmark 16 hours ago

steve333_gw(5a)

I suspect you will need some manual control of the venting, regardless of the heat source. The tent of material will likely act as a GH and collect heat on sunny days. It doesn't take long for a tiny space to get well over 100F in the sun (like just a few minutes), even on cool days. Perhaps one side of the tent could fold open for venting?

Like Bookmark 11 hours ago

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agreenthumb

This sounds like I am in for a big learning experience. Not sure how much heat the water bucket will produce and average ambient temperature inside the tent verses the outside temp. Also like you mentioned when the sun does come out how that will effect the temp inside as well. This frost blanket material is breathable but to what extent is the question so tests I will need to conduct...unless anyone else has already been there done that.

Like Bookmark 3 hours ago

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX

It won't over heat under frost blanket. We use it here all winter on veggies. I've used it to protect figs in winter.

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agreenthumb
Original Author
8 years ago
I just have no idea until I start testing if using a submersible aquarium heater would be the way to go. I guess the unknown would be at what temp does the heater need to be set at to obtain a max temp inside the tent.
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