JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
I got a request for more information about my winter storage house, so thought I'd make a thread if anyone else is interested.
My first greenhouse was made of twinwall and was like a normal greenhouse that you'd think of. BIG mistake. It only takes a warmer than normal winter day and a bit of sun, and you can have a big heat buildup problem. So we tore it out and started over.
This one has a regular roof, and walls low on the house. This helps to keep it warm with very little effort for the heater. The walls are made of solexx. This is a translucent material that comes in rolls, is very easy to work with. The fasteners that you put it together with are far easier than doing twinwall panels. Solexx spreads the light evenly in the space, but buffers the sun to a great degree. I have glass sliding door and windows on the south end, but also have shade cloth blinds that are down all winter. This combination of solexx a real roof, and shade cloth have basically solved the heat buildup problem.
The other thing I use to keep it cold is an automated fan system that attaches to a thermometer, and comes on when it reaches a set temp. On the other end of the house is an automated louver system that opens at the same time, to allow the fan to draw the cooler outside air from the louver side and push the air out on the fan side. I have a small heater attached to the same thermostat system that comes on when it reaches a set cold temp. I have a small rotating fan behind the heater that comes on at the same time to help spread the heat around.
The last part of the system is bottom heat. I have heat mats attached to thermostats with probes, I set them low enough just to keep the roots from freezing. But at this time of year, when the trees start to move, and especially after repotting, I'll keep the temps warmer, I have extended the growing season on both ends with this tactic. I also don't have to worry about moving the trees in and out as much.
I have some grow lights that I've put on tracks above the trees, that can slide from side to side depending on where they are needed.
Some photos of the construction.
My first greenhouse was made of twinwall and was like a normal greenhouse that you'd think of. BIG mistake. It only takes a warmer than normal winter day and a bit of sun, and you can have a big heat buildup problem. So we tore it out and started over.
This one has a regular roof, and walls low on the house. This helps to keep it warm with very little effort for the heater. The walls are made of solexx. This is a translucent material that comes in rolls, is very easy to work with. The fasteners that you put it together with are far easier than doing twinwall panels. Solexx spreads the light evenly in the space, but buffers the sun to a great degree. I have glass sliding door and windows on the south end, but also have shade cloth blinds that are down all winter. This combination of solexx a real roof, and shade cloth have basically solved the heat buildup problem.
The other thing I use to keep it cold is an automated fan system that attaches to a thermometer, and comes on when it reaches a set temp. On the other end of the house is an automated louver system that opens at the same time, to allow the fan to draw the cooler outside air from the louver side and push the air out on the fan side. I have a small heater attached to the same thermostat system that comes on when it reaches a set cold temp. I have a small rotating fan behind the heater that comes on at the same time to help spread the heat around.
The last part of the system is bottom heat. I have heat mats attached to thermostats with probes, I set them low enough just to keep the roots from freezing. But at this time of year, when the trees start to move, and especially after repotting, I'll keep the temps warmer, I have extended the growing season on both ends with this tactic. I also don't have to worry about moving the trees in and out as much.
I have some grow lights that I've put on tracks above the trees, that can slide from side to side depending on where they are needed.
Some photos of the construction.