Arctic blast bringing 25 degree lows to my area Monday night.

TerrapinBlazin

TerrapinBlazin

Well-Known Member
We’re getting a serious cold snap on Monday, and all my outdoor plants that are growing in the ground still need at least 2 weeks. I bought a bunch of 3/4” PVC and 4 mil plastic and made a little cold frame. I need to add more PVC to brace it better, but this was a rush job. It looks shitty from the outside but I didn’t have a whole lot of time to make it nice. Here’s a view from the inside. I’m going to run my propane heater in there when it gets really cold and I think that will get my plants through to harvest with no issues. After that the cold frame should let me go as long as I need. I can just bring the potted plants inside for the night.

Is there anything else I need to consider? This is gonna be a hard freeze.

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Rurumo

Rurumo

Well-Known Member
I got 18 inches of snow last night, it's going to be a crazy winter. You might be fine with that setup, you don't know until you try. If orange growers can save a crop with burning barrels, you can probably save your crop with a propane heater!
 
JoeBlow5823

JoeBlow5823

Well-Known Member
Rurumo said:
I got 18 inches of snow last night, it's going to be a crazy winter. You might be fine with that setup, you don't know until you try. If orange growers can save a crop with burning barrels, you can probably save your crop with a propane heater!
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Problem is day time temps arent much warmer than night. Its not a quick could hours here and there, good hard freeze coming.
 
TerrapinBlazin

TerrapinBlazin

Well-Known Member
Here’s my forecast for the cold snap. I’m pretty far south and it’s getting well above freezing every day. Monday night is the only night I’m really concerned about. I might have to fill up the propane bottle a couple times to get through it but I really don’t want to have a bunch of immature buds. My buddy heater is pretty awesome. I may have to redo one side of the cold frame so the roof has a pitch. I’m working on it more tomorrow but I didn’t want to put everything together at the last minute.
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C

Cheapchimp

Member
TerrapinBlazin said:
We’re getting a serious cold snap on Monday, and all my outdoor plants that are growing in the ground still need at least 2 weeks. I bought a bunch of 3/4” PVC and 4 mil plastic and made a little cold frame. I need to add more PVC to brace it better, but this was a rush job. It looks shitty from the outside but I didn’t have a whole lot of time to make it nice. Here’s a view from the inside. I’m going to run my propane heater in there when it gets really cold and I think that will get my plants through to harvest with no issues. After that the cold frame should let me go as long as I need. I can just bring the potted plants inside for the night.

Is there anything else I need to consider? This is gonna be a hard freeze.

View attachment 4724175
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I suppose you could fill metal drums with petrol and set them alight amongst the plants. But otherwise thats pretty chilly.
 
Joedank

Joedank

Well-Known Member
TerrapinBlazin said:
We’re getting a serious cold snap on Monday, and all my outdoor plants that are growing in the ground still need at least 2 weeks. I bought a bunch of 3/4” PVC and 4 mil plastic and made a little cold frame. I need to add more PVC to brace it better, but this was a rush job. It looks shitty from the outside but I didn’t have a whole lot of time to make it nice. Here’s a view from the inside. I’m going to run my propane heater in there when it gets really cold and I think that will get my plants through to harvest with no issues. After that the cold frame should let me go as long as I need. I can just bring the potted plants inside for the night.

Is there anything else I need to consider? This is gonna be a hard freeze.

View attachment 4724175
Click to expand...
I am sure your propane heater will get you to harvest. I have done the same thing for years. Just don’t melt your plastic ! Set your alarm for 2 am to check the heat factor as well
 
TerrapinBlazin

TerrapinBlazin

Well-Known Member
GrassBurner said:
If you've got access to 55 gallon drums, drag one or two into your tent and fill them with warm water. All that water mass will help regulate drastic temp swings. I'd run the propane heater as well, maybe a little bonus co2?
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I’d have to buy the drums but that’s an interesting idea. The cold frame is a good size for my buddy heater and I’m going to grab another large propane bottle from Costco tomorrow. After Wednesday I shouldn’t have to run the heater anymore. These buds are looking really nice but two of the plants need another two weeks and the other two might need closer to a month. I want to make this thing a more permanent structure eventually.
 
GrassBurner

GrassBurner

Well-Known Member
It will cool, but the bigger the mass the slower it will happen. Temporary fix for sure, but in a pinch it works. My buddy does this for his greenhouse, he says it helps.
 
JimmiP

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
Joedank said:
I am sure your propane heater will get you to harvest. I have done the same thing for years. Just don’t melt your plastic ! Set your alarm for 2 am to check the heat factor as well
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I literally just went and shut the propane ready heater in my hoop house down. :bigjoint:.I'll run it again before I pass out and at 4 or 5 am I will run it again until I head out to the woods.:hump:
 
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