From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Minnesota([email protected])

I remember someone saying they put a candle in their hoophouse at night. I don't recall who though. If you've done this, would you reply here, or email me please? I'm wondering if it made much difference in the nighttime hoophouse temps. I may need candles tomorrow night, as it's going to be chilly. I just hope my plants make it through tonight. I don't have electricity running to my patch, so therefore I'm considering candles. Thanks!

5/15/2009 11:37:27 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Better to get a bunch of jugs and pails of water, warm water, and put in there! Open flame makes me leery. Cover your hoop over with blankets or a tarp for more heat retention. Put up a temporary windbreak to shelter it from the prevaling winds. Make an inner hoop cover of some kind, even a 5 gallon pail if it'll fit over your plant, and stick a few 2 liter bottles 3/4 full of warm water and capped inside pail with it as another layer of protection.

5/16/2009 3:31:01 AM

Ohio

Doug, just a idea, but if you have a wal mart close , go buy some of the hand warmer packets you shake up that get warm(I buy the body warmers because they are a lot bigger and last longer, 18 hrs) and lay them close around your plant. You would be surprised the heat they put off. I think Wal mart has them on sale right now for like 4 for 1.99

5/16/2009 4:36:45 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I used candles last year and the hand warmer trick this year and they both work.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=84134

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=104556

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=104557

5/16/2009 6:07:04 AM

Cochecton, NY

Doug, go check my diary.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=83316

In the beginning of last year I made these little devices using the hand warmer packs and plastic coffee cans. They worked quite well.

5/16/2009 6:48:49 AM

Rhode Island

a simple wire hoop placed over the seedling with a small blanket or even a bed sheet or table cloth laid over the hoop will trap a good portion of the ground heat as it escapes at night.

5/16/2009 7:37:17 AM

Long Island,New York

Might be better off lighting that candle at church......

5/16/2009 8:11:41 AM

[email protected]

Fire produces CO2 which is good but there are substantial risks too.

5/16/2009 7:02:07 PM

5 gallon buckets of hot water replaced often. you can sleep next winter

5/16/2009 7:14:22 PM

Whidbey Island

Hit the garage sales and buy old, cheap electric heaters. Maybe too late for this year, but get 'em this summer and next year you'll be golden. My small hoop houses are 70 degrees with outside temp down in the forties at night.

5/16/2009 9:38:58 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

If you can afford the electric bill, Whidbey. It was cheaper for me to run those heat tapes and brooder lights .. than the heaters.

I agree with Don, sleep in the off season :)

5/17/2009 8:09:09 PM

Hanover,Ontario,Canada

Don't listen to the skeptics...... Take an old winshield washer type jug and cut the top open. Place enough sand in the jug to hold the candle upright. Use a 6 inch candle and light it and put it in your hoop house. If you are lucky the candle will still be burning in the morning when you check them. It keeps the hoop house toasty and the jug stops the wind or a breeze from blowing them out. Yes, you will be proving the plant with CO2.

5/17/2009 8:56:28 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for all the input. Thankfully we missed out on frost here the last two mornings. A lot of good ideas to consider in the future though.

5/17/2009 10:00:28 PM

Circleville ,OH.

Go to Odd Lots and get the cheapest candles you can get that will fit in a old coffee can. Works good enough for those of us that dont have the ability to have electric at the patch. Keeps it toasty warm inside.

5/18/2009 3:16:35 AM