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Webster, NY

We're supposed to hit 32 degrees tonight. I have my pumpkins covered with my cold frame. Has anyone ever placed a light bulb in the cold frame with the pumpkins for extra heat and does it work???

Thanks...

5/18/2002 6:30:13 PM

Long Island,New York

It works well if you cover the cold frame with a tarp and be careful. I know someone who started a fire that way....G

5/18/2002 6:40:02 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Sounds like a good idea Steely. Since it hailed and flurried enough here this morning to whiten the entire patch surface, I added an extra tarp and ratcheted up the hoop house heater just to get thru this cold spell ! I also have heating cables...can never be too careful !

5/18/2002 7:23:20 PM

Ann Arbor, Mi

G, likes it medium or well done...marsh mallow anyone....Lol

5/18/2002 7:58:44 PM

Leicester, NY

Steelydave,
Earlier today, I put a 100W bulb in each of my 6'x6' plastic greenhouses. The temp outside right now is 42 degrees and it's about 55 in each greenhouse. I did have a little problem just now, when I went to put a blanket on the top of one greenhouses. Some condensation had formed inside and some water dripped on the bulb and it went pop!..Joe P.

5/18/2002 8:16:19 PM

Long Island,New York

I just checked the notes of that guy who burned up his plant....it happened on the 18th of May....what day is today?. I put a bulb in my hut for the first time this year tonight...hmmm...had i looked that date up earlier I might have waited another day...oh well....G
ps...as long as your only blowing up lightbulbs its ok Joe....lol

5/18/2002 9:02:16 PM

No Place Special

I put an aquarium heater in a gallon jug of water. The water is heated to 120* and inside the coldframe was 60* last night when the outside temp was mid 30's. Works good for me. Mike

5/18/2002 10:43:42 PM

Commack, NY

my hoop house is about 16x16, and i placed an oscilating space heater in there....facing opposite the plants, with a fan blowing the hot air towards the plants. works good for me. if you're using a light bulb, try taking 4 stakes, placing them around the light bulb, and place an aluminum cooking pan upside down over the bulb (supported by the stakes),you wont get condensation on the bulb that way.

scott

5/19/2002 12:59:41 AM

Kuna, Id.

Scott,
I use that trick in my old farm house when it rains.

5/19/2002 1:52:44 AM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

We use that idea in this house, (I guess you could call it an old farm house) LOL
H-K-J <;-)

5/19/2002 9:29:42 AM

Brillion Wisconsin

I hang a mechanics trouble light in my cold frames.Depending on the size of your enclosure you might want to experiments with which wattage bulb is the best.I use a 60watt bulb in one and a 25watt in my smaller cold frame.I turn them on around 8 pm and cover the entire structure with a sleeping bag that is unzipped.I also put a few bricks on if its windy.I call it putting my babies to bed.At 530 or so in the a.m. I uncover them but leave the lights on until 8 a.m. depending on that days temp.....I'm still trying to post pictures of my setup but having some computer problems...good luck.....Ace

5/20/2002 1:19:00 PM

Webster, NY

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I was never able to set anything electronic up this time, but I did put an extra tarp over the cold frame. The temp got to 39 once but mostly stayed 40 or better at night. Tonight is supposed to be out last one in the 30's and then the temp is supposed to get warmer. Highs in the 70's and lows in the 40's and 50's by Thursday.

5/21/2002 7:57:32 AM