Bubblewrapped the Greenhouse
@NormanDarlo (1071)
Ireland
October 14, 2018 4:37pm CST
It's that time of year again. As the danger of frost increases, I need to get all the succulents and tender plants into a protected environment, so they can safely survive the winter. I have a fan heater in the greenhouse and set it to a minimum 5 degrees. Anything that needs a warmer temperature than that, I have to take it into the house.
I attach bubblewrap to the inside of the walls and roof of my greenhouse to act as insulation. If I didn't do this, the heat from my fan heater would pass through the glass very quickly, and cost me a fortune in electricity. With this insulation it will be easier to keep the place to its minimum of 5 degrees.
It is quite a job cutting and attaching all of that bubblewrap to the greenhouse frame. But an even bigger job is moving all of the plants and shelving out of the greenhouse, and then back in afterwards. But it'll all be worthwhile next spring 
7 people like this
7 responses
@LadyDuck (471497)
• Switzerland
15 Oct 18
@NormanDarlo I am enjoying the sun, but in view of colder days I am in the process of making tortellini.
1 person likes this
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
15 Oct 18
@LadyDuck It is good to plan ahead! What are you putting inside them?
1 person likes this
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
15 Oct 18
Thank you, Anna. It was a team effort, so I can't take all the credit! I hope you are enjoying the autumn sunshine
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
15 Oct 18
@NormanDarlo Still a great idea and inexpensive too.
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
16 Oct 18
@CarolDM Relatively inexpensive. Both the rolls of wrap and the clips are far from free. But compared to heating the sky almost directly through the glass, it is a substantial money saver.
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
15 Oct 18
I have and it is, though I can't claim to have invented the idea!
1 person likes this
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
16 Oct 18
Remember who Invention's mum is? This is not my invention, I hasten to add, but it makes a big difference when the real cold hits and we have to have the place at a minimum 5 degrees to keep the succulents alive. I'll have those suidafrikaanse vetplante in the house though, as I'm not sure five degrees would suffice for them!
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
15 Oct 18
@NormanDarlo How can you resist...?
1 person likes this
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
15 Oct 18
@pgntwo Yeah, I remember that Just keep them away from my greenhouse!
Just keep them away from my greenhouse!1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
10 Dec 18
@NormanDarlo
That is a clever idea to use bubble wrap to insulate the greenhouse. There is a building in this neighborhood where they insulate the plants in winter. I think that is a clever idea.
1 person likes this
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
11 Dec 18
Thanks, Hanni, I can't claim it as my idea, though :) I've also bubble wrap to protect plants from the cold, though not always with success :/
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
11 Dec 18
@NormanDarlo
It doesn't matter whose idea it is it shows that you care about your plants and that is important for the care of them.
@NormanDarlo (1071)
• Ireland
15 Oct 18
LOL Maybe you should, Judy 
I didn't invent the idea, I have to admit. There are clips specially designed for attaching the stuff to the metal frame of greenhouses - pricey enough too!
I didn't invent the idea, I have to admit. There are clips specially designed for attaching the stuff to the metal frame of greenhouses - pricey enough too!1 person likes this
