Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: david64 on August 03, 2013, 17:38

Title: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: david64 on August 03, 2013, 17:38
Evening,

I have a 20x12 ft polytunnel. I am interested to heat this, particularly the front 14 feet. I've been looking on the internet for quite a long time on this topic, but can't find anything as to how much this could cost.

My aim would be to keep the tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers producing for as long as possible.

SO, may I ask, who here heats their tunnel? What are the particulars of your setup? And, how much does it cost?
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: Sparkyrog on August 03, 2013, 17:44
While I am currently building a frost free GH .It would be impossible to calculate the cost of heating a PT as you have no idea what the weather is going to through at you ! The only person I know who does it owns a garden center and only in spring .
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 03, 2013, 23:29
Wouldn't even think of trying to heat my PT which is a little bigger than yours David.  I think the heat would a) dissipate quicker in a PT than a greenhouse, and b)  if too warm may make the plastic looser.

Also it's not just the heat you need to keep your toms etc producing, but the daylight hours too. 
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: BobE on August 03, 2013, 23:33
You could create a Tom Shed.  Using a light box and a heating system.  The shed could be insulated and the metrics would be totally under your control.  Heat and light. 
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: 3759allen on August 04, 2013, 01:36
my old man used to heat his commercial tunnels (4 tunnels linked together, not sure on size but pretty big) using a large diesel heater over night. this was just to keep the temperature above freezing to keep the plants alive rather than actually growing. this was just for flowers and not plants producing fruit.

imo not so sure the cost and effort would make it worth it. but only you can decide that.
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: barley on August 04, 2013, 08:29
if you pick your green toms at the end of the season and put them in a dark drawer on a piece of newspaper they will go red !!!

how or why I have no idea but it works

cheaper than heating a PT
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: Sparkyrog on August 04, 2013, 08:31
Add a banana and they will turn faster  :D
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: david64 on August 04, 2013, 13:00
Thanks for your input.

I guess the cheapest alternative is to move to a foreign country :)

I have heard that covering your tunnel in bubble wrap will reduce heating costs by 50%.
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: mumofstig on August 04, 2013, 13:01
Bubblewrap certainly helps - but not by that much  :nowink:
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: devonbarmygardener on August 06, 2013, 01:54

I guess the cheapest alternative is to move to a foreign country :)


I'm desperately trying this option! :D

Now if I could only win a bit on the lottery...



 :lol: :lol:  I REALLY REALLY WISH! :happy:
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: allotmentann on August 06, 2013, 06:38
The bubble wrap is a very good idea. Bob Flowerdew does this and he adds lighting rather than heat saying that lighting is much more economical and has helped extend his growing season.  :)
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: Headgardener22 on August 24, 2013, 21:38
The bubble wrap is a very good idea. Bob Flowerdew does this and he adds lighting rather than heat saying that lighting is much more economical and has helped extend his growing season.  :)
How much lighting do you need to add? Would an ordinary daylight bulb make any difference?
Title: Re: Heating a Polytunnel - Cost per Hour
Post by: mumofstig on August 24, 2013, 21:56
no.