On 6 Jan, 00:29, the swede
wrote:
For the last few years my husband has heated his greenhouse with a 2kw
natural gas heater. He brings on vegetable seeds in a heated
propagator but needs the heating as we live in Scotland. Gas prices
are expensive at about 12p per kw hour and we are expecting them to go
up. Also for the last few years he has also bought plug plants in
April which need the heat to bring them on (yes it's sometimes still
cold here in April and May). As a way of helping towards the cost we
used to sell some plants but people want them for virtually nothing and
the cost outweighs any profit he makes. Tonight he has decided he is
not going to do this anymore as he does prefer growing veg. However,
he loves his hobby and I don't want him to get depressed about it. I
bought him one of these jumbo propagators for Xmas and he also has two
other propagators which are very cheap to run. He feels like packing
it all in. Is there anything I can do to help him maintain his
interest in growing veggies and still use his greenhouse. Any
suggestions would be gratefully received. Forgot to mention the
greenhouse is insulated and is 8ft x 6ft.

--
the swede

I read this as using Bulk/cylinder gas which here has gone up almost
50% in the last 5 months and you cant switch easily between suppliers,
even if you have a choice as you don't own the Gas tank. It's not like
Oil where you can phone round for the best price.
I should hope he has the greenhouse lined with Large bubble
insulation.
I would have a bench across the greenhouse and tent this with
Polythene so that to start with just this small section can be heated.
Various veg can be started with little or no heat, just frost
protection, so there is no need to heat the h#whole house till
probably the end of March.
I hope the heater he uses has a thermostat built in so that it can be
set for low heat.
David Hill
Abacus Nurseries.