To shelter your crops all year round, your garden greenhouse must maintain a constant temperature . In winter, a temperature of at least 4°C is required to avoid frost. If your greenhouse is leaning against a wall, it will benefit from the heat given off by your house, unlike a ground level garden greenhouse. In any case, a few precautions are necessary if the temperature drops significantly. There are solutions and tips that have proven effective for heating your greenhouse in winter .
Why Heat your Greenhouse in Winter?
As you probably know, heat plays a crucial role in plant growth . Maintaining an optimal temperature in your greenhouse during the winter allows plants to continue to thrive, even during the colder months.
Be careful, the consequences of cold on your plants can be irreversible! Prolonged exposure can cause serious damage to plant tissues, promote the appearance of diseases and considerably reduce the yield of your crops. Heating your greenhouse in winter is therefore essential!
Find out how to prevent frost in your greenhouse.
Insulate the Walls of the Garden Greenhouse
Here are some tips for insulating the walls of the greenhouse and gaining a few degrees :
Insulate the interior walls with bubble wrap that you attach to the frame with clips
Protect the north walls of the garden greenhouse with polystyrene until mid-May
Favor the use of winter veil which protects from the cold. It has the advantage of letting light through, even on a very cold day.
Place the most cold sensitive plants higher up so they can benefit from light and heat. Insulate those placed on the ground by putting their pots in boxes filled with insulation such as bark, cardboard or straw.
Install Additional Heating
The other solution is to install a heater in your greenhouse to maintain a constant temperature. The choice of heater depends on the surface area of your tunnel greenhouse . Thus, if the surface area does not exceed 5 m², you can install an additional radiator which will be sufficient. Otherwise, you can opt for an oil stove which is more economical. But if your greenhouse is more than 12 m², it is better to choose an electric heater , which is more suitable for a large surface area.
Producing Heat Naturally in the Greenhouse
There are several techniques that can be used to bring some heat into the greenhouse . For example, simply place a basin of hot water in the greenhouse every morning.
Another ecological solution that produces heat and protects seedlings from frost: composting materials . This involves preparing a mixture of shredded material and manure and burying it about 60 to 80 cm deep in the square. Shredded material is chopped branches. The decomposition of the plants will release heat that will keep your pepper, tomato, basil, eggplant and other seedlings warm. In the evening, cover them with a fleece or an insulating frame.
Take Precautions Depending on the Greenhouse Heating Chosen
Be sure to follow safety precautions whenever using electric or combustion heating systems . Be sure to install appliances correctly according to the manufacturer's instructions, and check them regularly for proper operation.
Even natural heating methods require certain precautions: the compost must not be in direct contact with your plants to avoid burns!
In any case, it is essential to heat your greenhouse in winter to avoid frost which risks making you lose your crops. As soon as the weather permits, it is essential to air your greenhouse as regularly as possible, to prevent fungi and diseases from developing there.
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