The Winter Journey and greenhouse plastic

has55 wrote:]I will be following your progress. To have some summer crops like tomatoes to eat is exciting. went back to look at your list of vegetables:Lemon Cucumber, tomatoes, bush beans, japanese eggplant, hot chili peppers, basil, multi varities of lettuce, beets, swiss chard


WOW.Now that the farmer market of wintering gardening. 

has55 wrote:Hi, audrey.jeanne.roberts, my zone for denton, tx-7b-5F to 10F


question about your space blanket. 
Where did you buy it? 

Cost for one? 

Do you know the size? 

Is it thick or the thin type? 

Fragile or sturdy?



I bought them at REI (the sports outfitter company, not sure what REI stands for).  They were I think $16.95 or thereabouts.  They are quite durable as they are 4 or 5 layers laminated, thus the greater expense than the $2 one time use variety.  You can find them at Walmart online and several other places, I just googled space blankets.  

They are proving very effective.  They are only sold in 5' x 7' sizes (that I could find) so I used my sewing machine to sew 4 together to make a covering for my 5 x 10 box + there are 2 more, one on each side that form the envelope.  

In 22* overnight temps I have not lost a single plant - including a two squash, a cucumber and full sized tomatoes which are all sensitive to the cold.  I am running a small heater under the large covering.  It is set at it's lowest temp and seems to turn off about 40 degrees so it runs very little.  I haven't seen a power bill, but fingers crossed it won't be horrid, LOL!

has55 wrote:thank you for the info.

you said" 

 All I have to do now is unroll the top cover and clip the sides each night."


What type of clip? Any pictures? I couldn't tell from your pictures.

audrey.jeanne.roberts wrote:.  These are business clips, I've always called them "alligator clips" but don't know if that's the name you would look them up under.  Easy to find and very cheap.  Lots of different sizes available.

Not sure what these kinds of clips are called or where we got them - I'm fairly certain also at an office supply store.  

sanderson wrote:  Alligator clips brings back memories of the hippie days.  Audrey, alligator clips often describes electrician clips that were used to hold the very last bit of a marijuana joint!  The common name for your black office clips is binder clips.

audrey.jeanne.roberts wrote:OK, here's the way I clip the sides.  I place the two edges one on top of the other then roll them 2 or 3 times and add the clips.  That keeps the air gaps/leaks to a minimum.  These are business clips, I've always called them "alligator clips" but don't know if that's the name you would look them up under.  Easy to find and very cheap.  Lots of different sizes available.



Not sure what these kinds of clips are called or where we got them - I'm fairly certain also at an office supply store.  

sanderson wrote:Has, I do believe that you love to tinker and problem solve!!     

boffer wrote:You've come up with some very creative solutions.    

After looking at your last two pictures, I'm guessing you don't get much wind at your place?

 awesome Cauliflower    

audrey.jeanne.roberts wrote:If you need to make a larger cover than the single 5 x 7 standard size can accomplish but can't sew, then I think you could simply fold over the seams a couple times and staple them.  I'm sure that would be adequate. "


an excellent idea. Thank you.