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Addison IL.

I have plants under hoop house and temp is reading inside at 50 degress going to cover all plants with blankets bukets and insulate with paper dont have space heaters or warming coil like the pros so Im praying it works if not so sad to say have no backups and my first season ever is down in the tubes if they die me and my son will be crushed what to do help with advice pleaaaaassse!!!!!

5/2/2005 2:45:47 PM

Cologne / Germany

I have a pretty simple but strong 9$ ventilator heater (1000 W / 2000 W adjustable) from Walmart with a thermostat that is really working exactly so cold conditions had never been a problem. With all that work and money we invest for these pumpkins it´s a good idea to have 2 or 3 of them just in case.

5/2/2005 3:26:49 PM

ipswich, ma usa

clamp on light fixture -- $1.98 (silver reflecter El Cheapo)

100 Watt light bulb -- $3.00 (pack of 4)

not having your pumpkin turning into a wilted piece of S$%#!!

PRICELESS.......

For everything else...........There is Guinness. :)

John (5150)

5/2/2005 3:42:10 PM

Addison IL.

thanks for the advice but were talking a large structure of plansic giants of hoophouses big so I will try it all thanks much

5/2/2005 5:04:16 PM

I don't think you should get to worried about them. As long as something that can insulate is over them the frost won't effect them. Last season wasn't quite as cold as this one, but whenever they forcasted frost I just through a cardboard box over my plants and they did just fine. Of course there growth would have slowed dramatically but it was my first year, what did I know. In the end I had a 25 ft long main vine, powdery mildew, and a 137 pound pumpkin. I never sprayed for disease, I only used liquid fertilizers (the triple 20 stuff and miracle grow) and I came out fine so don't worry to much. They are very resiliant plants and are very strong. Now if the temp is going to be lower all time even during the day, then you should really be getting lights, but if your getting a once in a while frost at night, as long as their covered (cardboard box) they should do just fine. But do get the lights so there growth won't get stunted.

5/2/2005 5:14:53 PM

Sioux Falls, SD garyboer@dakotalink.com

gallon jug of warm H2O under a towel with plant
couple of sticks to keep towel from crushing plant
that'll buy you 5 degrees for the night
(the hoop house should buy you 5 also)
if you need more. . .mo jugs . .mo towels

5/2/2005 6:33:24 PM

Cologne / Germany

Curvy that heater I was talking about will for sure even heat up these "large structure of plansic giants of hoophouses big" for the price of 9 bucks :-)

5/2/2005 7:00:04 PM

Addison IL.

thanks will look into hope they survive long enough to get lamps thanks guys thats what makes this hooby my new passion its peaple like you that make peaple like me welcome and in any field thats a special thing hopefully at the end of the growing season I will be able to post pictures and it will be because you helped thanks so much wish me luck

5/2/2005 9:03:51 PM

Sioux Falls, SD garyboer@dakotalink.com

How are your babies today??

5/3/2005 12:17:47 PM

Addison IL.

They survived and as to not hurt them anymore what with frost expected tonight I have bought 6 clamp light with 100 watt light bulbs positioned on the roof of my hoophouse/greenhouse whatever it might be called and thanks to cold but sunny weather today the heat in the house rose to 85degrees and held till dusk just before cold creeped in turned on all lights and prayed yeah temp is holding at 80 degrees still covering plants tonight as added protection and monitoring the patch HEY in couple yrs I might be able to say been there done that lol but thanks so much the info you have provided saved me from heartbreak still worried but it will as pass when I see the end results and smile on my sons face as mommy brings the big pumpkin to his school lol wish me luck and thanks --tracy--

5/3/2005 8:25:12 PM