If you want to approach the cultivation of vegetables, exotic fruits, orchids or tropical plants professionally, you will not be able to avoid keeping your greenhouse frost-free over the winter. Which heating is most appropriate depends on the breeding goals as well as the financial budget.
How can I keep my greenhouse frost-free?
To keep a greenhouse frost-free, there are several heating options, such as connection to hot water heating, oil, gas, electric fan or solar heating, as well as petroleum heating. What is important is good insulation, the right temperature for the plants and possibly a building permit.
With the right equipment, which should be taken into account when planning the construction, it is no problem to keep your greenhouse frost-free, even in bitter frost. However, even withfrost protection, the effort that has to be made depends very much on the intended use and the planned planting If only potted plants are to overwinter, an inexpensive cold house that can withstand extreme temperatures may be sufficient Covered with straw or reed mats. However, orchid and young plant growers are recommended to equip their greenhouse with a separate heat source or to connect it to the heating system installed in their home.
Keep the greenhouse frost-free with oil, gas, electric or solar?
Which type of heating is chosen depends primarily on the local conditions with regard to the central energy supply, so that there are usually only a few options for the decision. Your own requirements are also important and don't forget that frost protection for the plantsis also a financial question. While for some people, setting up kerosene lamps or grandma's wood-burning kitchen stove is enough to overwinter their potted plants Vegetable growers may value a 5 kW propane-powered greenhouse heater. The most common types of professional heating include:
- Connection to the house's hot water heating system;
- Oil heating (as an extension of the house heating);
- Gas heater (propane gas bottles or separate underground tank);
- Electric fan heater (small design and practical if a photovoltaic system is already installed on the residential building);
- Solar heating (exclusive panels only for frost protection in the greenhouse);
- Petroleum heater (portable system to keep greenhouse frost-free when only short-term heating is required);
Good insulation increases frost protection
In order to make a greenhouse frost-free, the existing insulation should first be put to the test, which often contributes significantly to an increase in the internal temperatures in the plant house using very simple means and little financial outlay. If you only want potted plants to overwinter under frost protection, it is an advantage if you know the comfortable temperatures of leadwort, hibiscus, etc. It may help to attach a heat-insulating bubble wrap (€34.00 on Amazon) to the outside area.
A convenient and (almost) maintenance-free frost protection
A greenhouse can be made frost-free silently and without exhaust gases by laying heat cables or electrical heating loops in a layer of soil under the plants. The functional principle is similar to underfloor heating in residential buildings, which can be precisely controlled via a temperature controller to ensureoptimal heat values with minimal energy use.
Tip
When selecting the different types of heating, remember that you may need to consider using a specialist company. In some cases, the law also requires compliance with certain maintenance periods. And: A building permit may be required if you want to make your greenhouse frost-free, at least for stationary heating systems.
