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Western Pa.

The last 3 nights here have all broken the records for cold, with one more due tonight(29 degrees). I have so far, (knock on wood), saved my 9 plants from disaster with "limited resources". Here's what I have learned: Try to make your hoophouses as air tight as possible, if they are not on level ground, mound soil up around the sides. Two plants have spent nights covered with a cardboard box in hoophouse,with a ceramic heater set at 60 degrees in between.I take boxes off, and unplug heater during day. Two plants were covered in boxes (in hoophouses) with a 100 watt bulb.(off during the day). All plants are still growing, but the "non-electric" plants appear to be doing better than the heated ones! I have 4 plants (2 in each hoop house), that were covered with a thin layer of clear plastic and then a cardboard box. This created a "greenhouse within a greenhouse", and the box kept any cool drafts off of the plants. I have 1 more plant that is thriving without the benefit of a hoophouse. I simply made a small tent like structure with 2 sticks and clear plastic, covering edges with soil. At night this is covered with a white 5 gallon
bucket. Even though there has been snow,and ice on any pooled water, the plants are still frost-free. In the morning, I gave my plants a treat of WARM Neptune's mix. I don't guarantee results, but with limited time, electric cords, and hoophouses, these methods worked for me. Good luck!

kilr

5/21/2002 10:35:41 AM

Webster, NY

Kilr, do you uncover your plants during the day. If they are air tight, do you have any problem with fungus? Thanks for the info.

5/21/2002 11:15:24 AM

Western Pa.

My plants have only the hoop houses on during the day. No problems with fungus.

5/21/2002 2:45:34 PM