One of the biggest problems for people with greenhouses is the cost of keeping them warm during cold periods. By using bubble wrap greenhouse Oregon gardeners can protect plants from frost in unheated enclosures or cut heat loss (and therefore the cost of heating) by up to 50%. Other benefits of this plastic insulating material are its low cost, long life, and ease of installation. This really is a DIY solution that even un-handy men and women can use.
The laminated 'wrapping' is just like the stuff you find in boxes that replaces the old excelsior or those annoying plastic peanuts - but stronger. You can't pop these bubbles with your fingers. Some of the products you will find online are laminated twice to ensure that the individual insulating cells don't pop under use or when they are subjected to minor friction.
UV rays are destructive to most plastics, but greenhouse wrap is treated to make it resistant to sunlight. For longer use, it's recommended to remove the material during the summer, when heat loss is not a problem. It's just as easy to remove as it is to put up, and it can be rolled up for next winter. Cut the sheets for a perfect fit over the glass (not over the framing) and mark each piece so it can be reinstalled later over the same glass panel. The bubble side of the wrapping goes against the glass. Daylight passes right through, so plants will have all the natural light they need to thrive.
Some people line their structures with this wrapping material and use no heat at all. It will protect those plants that are almost winter-proof but not quite - you know, the ones you could keep in your garage if it weren't so dark. The plants are protected from frost, as well. And you might be able to pick collards and other hardy greens all winter.
With heat, all manner of plants can be kept over winter, and gardeners can get a head start on the growing season by starting seeds inside. Using half of the usual heat can mean significant savings. People may find it more comfortable working in the lower inside temperature, and it can be healthier for the plants as well. All of the daylight can get in, too, for faster growth and easier working.
There are many kinds of greenhouse wrap. Some products are said to cling to wet glass; just spray down the windows and smooth on a carefully-sized sheet of bubbles. Where the sheets meet, use tape to hold the edges together. There are also special plastic joiners - long belt-like strips - as well as spacers and corner adjusters for a perfect fit. There are spray adhesives for those who want a tighter seal, or suction cups, or push pins for wooden frames.
The wrapping is sold by the linear foot (or meter) or in economy-size rolls. It can be cut with scissors or a razor knife, which makes it easy for those who don't have a lot of tools or carpentry skills. It is lightweight, so go for it, ladies.
It's like putting a down jacket on your plants. The air-filled bubbles keep the heat in and the cold out. When spring rolls around again, take the wrapping down and roll it up for use next winter.
The laminated 'wrapping' is just like the stuff you find in boxes that replaces the old excelsior or those annoying plastic peanuts - but stronger. You can't pop these bubbles with your fingers. Some of the products you will find online are laminated twice to ensure that the individual insulating cells don't pop under use or when they are subjected to minor friction.
UV rays are destructive to most plastics, but greenhouse wrap is treated to make it resistant to sunlight. For longer use, it's recommended to remove the material during the summer, when heat loss is not a problem. It's just as easy to remove as it is to put up, and it can be rolled up for next winter. Cut the sheets for a perfect fit over the glass (not over the framing) and mark each piece so it can be reinstalled later over the same glass panel. The bubble side of the wrapping goes against the glass. Daylight passes right through, so plants will have all the natural light they need to thrive.
Some people line their structures with this wrapping material and use no heat at all. It will protect those plants that are almost winter-proof but not quite - you know, the ones you could keep in your garage if it weren't so dark. The plants are protected from frost, as well. And you might be able to pick collards and other hardy greens all winter.
With heat, all manner of plants can be kept over winter, and gardeners can get a head start on the growing season by starting seeds inside. Using half of the usual heat can mean significant savings. People may find it more comfortable working in the lower inside temperature, and it can be healthier for the plants as well. All of the daylight can get in, too, for faster growth and easier working.
There are many kinds of greenhouse wrap. Some products are said to cling to wet glass; just spray down the windows and smooth on a carefully-sized sheet of bubbles. Where the sheets meet, use tape to hold the edges together. There are also special plastic joiners - long belt-like strips - as well as spacers and corner adjusters for a perfect fit. There are spray adhesives for those who want a tighter seal, or suction cups, or push pins for wooden frames.
The wrapping is sold by the linear foot (or meter) or in economy-size rolls. It can be cut with scissors or a razor knife, which makes it easy for those who don't have a lot of tools or carpentry skills. It is lightweight, so go for it, ladies.
It's like putting a down jacket on your plants. The air-filled bubbles keep the heat in and the cold out. When spring rolls around again, take the wrapping down and roll it up for use next winter.
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