A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Homemade GreenHouse/Hotbox

Okay Pat, what plants are you growing in there now??

Nice hot bed!! I made one about 40 years ago out of old windows and ply wood. Looked like yours. The only thing I insatlled was a wooden bottom that I drilled holes in for drainage. I then stapled a weatherproof heating cable to the bottom for even heat for the trays. They did not have small electric heaters back then. The soil temperature is what is important. As long as the soil temperature stays around 72F, you seeds will germinate out there. I have done it in the middle of February back in New England. I now longer have it when I moved to Ohio. I have grow lights everyhere in the basment. I then move some of the smaller plants in the spring to two mini greenhouses. I use an electric heater in the greenhouses. Looks nice!!!

Well I still have the same stuff, mostly herbs.

I did taste some of them the other day and they do taste like herbs. Imagine that!!

What have your temps' been running lately, Pat?

During the day and at night?

And when is your "ballpark" time to plant in your area?

I need one of those, I need an area to harden off the plants a bit more, and make room for when I do the flower seeds..

It was in the 70's today. Supposed to be 80's tomorrow. I have opened the sash just a little to help let the heat out.

I must be doing something wrong, my plants aren't growing, my herbs are doing ok, but my other plants have quit growing. I water them every night because of the bottom heat I am using. I have been using a lot of water on them.

I have turned off the heat for the time being.

I have also planted onions, shallots, and garlic yesterday, I plan on planting 'tators this weekend.

Which ones aren't doing much?

Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, and all my peppers. The peppers look the best, about 2 inches tall. The cabbage and sprouts are about 1/2 in tall.

Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts like cooler temps...
So, maybe the heat isn't nessessary for them??

I have never used heating things, so I am not
well versed on that part..
But I do know those mentioned above are cool weather crops...

Nice hotbed! I had one years ago that I made out of old wooden windows. The key is soil temperature. As long as your soil temperature is at 72 degrees, does not matter what the air tempertues is. I used a heating cable made for hotbeds. My hotbed looked similiar. Brought back memories. Keep up the good work, and keep us posted!

I may have to buy a string heater the waterbed heater I think is making to much heat.

The thermometer in the sand reads over 100*.