How much would some horse manure warm my greenhouse in winter?
I'm just erecting a small 6 x 8 greenhouse, that's glass to ground. Whilst I know that I can insulate with bubble wrap or some polystyrene pieces, I wondered about surrounding the lower level, on the outside, with some bags of fresh horse manure - ok, maybe a little smelly, but don't care so much, if it protects plants and saves with energy costs.
How much do you think this might heat the inside of a warm greenhouse or prevent the cold freezing weather from entering?
I was thinking maybe bags 2' deep, and 3' high or so, which would still mean heat loss through the higher parts and roof. Has anyone used animal manure to keep a greenhouse warmer?
Any tips? Thank you very much.
Why don't you take used plastic gallon milk jugs and paint them black. Fill with water and put the cap on. Place these in the south and west windows. They will heat up during the day and release their heat slowly during the night. The same will work with a 55 gallon plastic drum. It holds more so the heat dissipates over a longer period.
 |
 ShelterLogic 6x8x65 Greenhouse  US $188.99
|
 Poly Tex Snap Grow Silver 6 Greenhouse 6 x 8 HG6008 US $643.99
|
 RION MAJ 8 PR MAJESTIC GREENHOUSE 66X86x76 PREMIUM US $1,639.00
|
 RION MAJ 16 MAJESTIC GREENHOUSE 66X16876 BASIC US $2,149.00
|
 6 ft x 8 ft x 65 ft SHELTERLOGIC GREENHOUSE FLOWER US $199.99
|
 HALLS UNIVERSAL UN86 GLASS ALUMINUM GREENHOUSE 8X6 US $779.00
|
 ROYAL GARDEN 10x15 GREENHOUSE French Doors 86 Inside ht 150 sq ft floor spce US $4,679.98
|
 Redwood Greenhouse 6 x 8 US $1,250.00
|
Silverline 6x8 Greenhouse
As the sun sets ever earlier and leaves continue to flutter to the ground, the first frosts of the season promise to lay waste to our flower beds. Winter awaits-cold and awash in white and shades of gray.
Unless, that is, you decide to head to the supermarket or, even better, your favorite garden shop for an even larger assortment of flowering bulbs. No doubt you'll want to purchase some for planting outside in anticipation of the warm weather that's to come in April and May, but to have blooms in your home this winter, also go for those that say, "Good for forcing," or something to that effect.
Possibilities abound and include, among others, hyacinths, paperwhites, and certain varieties of daffodils and tulips. All will bring a colorful mix into your home, even as winter comes calling and winds howl. Once quite sure that cooler temperatures are here to stay, head to the kitchen with the kids, forcing bulbs in hand. Then cover the counter with a layer or two of newspaper and get to work. It's planting time, and guess what? Soil is optional!
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:
• Forcing bulbs of your choice
• Pebbles (sold in both garden centers & pet shops for aquariums) or marbles
• Potting soil (optional)
• Empty containers, such as coffee cans, plastic containers, clay or plastic pots
• Charcoal (available in both garden centers & pet shops)
• Water
• Large box with a lid/cover
STEPS TO TAKE IF USING A CONTAINER WITH A DRAINAGE HOLE:
1. Cover the hole with a stone, so that the soil doesn't leak out but excess water can.
2. Fill the pot about 2/3 of the way up with soil.
3. Sprinkle the soil with some charcoal.
4. Gently press the bulbs, root side down, into the soil, but do not overcrowd.
5. Add more soil, so that only the tips of the bulbs protrude.
6. Water well.
STEPS TO TAKE IF NOT USING A CONTAINER WITH A DRAINAGE HOLE:
1. Fill the container about 1/3 of the way up with pebbles/marbles.
2. Sprinkle with some charcoal.
3. Gently place the bulb(s), root side down, on the pebbles.
4. Add enough water so that one-half of the bulbs are under water.
THEN:
1. Place the filled containers in a large box and cover.
2. Put the box in a cool basement or garage.
3. Water about once a week.
About 12 weeks later, when the bulbs have sprouted and are about two inches tall, remove the containers from the box and bring them into the house.
Let them rest out of direct sunlight for a couple of days, so they have a chance to get used to the warmer temperature. Then place your soon-to-flower bulbs in a sunny window and let nature take over once again. Before you know it, spring will have sprung in your home when winter is at its coldest.
Carol is a learning specialist who worked with middle school children and their parents at the Methacton School District in Pennsylvania for more than 25 years and now supervises student teachers at Gwynedd-Mercy College. Along with the booklet, 149 Parenting School-Wise Tips: Intermediate Grades & Up, and numerous articles in such publications as Teaching Pre-K-8 and Curious Parents, she has authored three successful learning guidebooks: Getting School-Wise: A Student Guidebook, Other-Wise and School-Wise: A Parent Guidebook, and ESL Activities for Every Month of the School Year. Carol also writes for examiner.com; find her articles at http://www.examiner.com/x-6261-Montgomery-County-Wise-Parenting-Examiner For more information, go to http://www.schoolwisebooks.com or contact Carol at [email protected].
