With the type of cover that is on it, does it let enough light in to actually grow in the winter month and start seeds. How thick is the plastic? Is that reinforcement mesh molded into the plastic? How air tight is it for keeping heat in in the Kansas winter months?? With the type of cover that is on it, does it let enough light in to actually grow in the winter month and start seeds. How thick is the plastic? Is that reinforcement mesh molded into the... » Read More With the type of cover that is on it, does it let enough light in to actually grow in the winter month and start seeds. How thick is the plastic? Is that reinforcement mesh molded into the plastic? How air tight is it for keeping heat in in the Kansas winter months?? « Show Less
1871112
We have not assembled this cover yet due to removal of a big tree and have not removed the stump yet. We are going to wait for next spring to finish this site.
1871113
The cover is a bonded multi thick plastic. The mesh is between 2 layers of clear poly. It lets through plenty of light. The side flaps are velcro and when shut wont let much air in or out. the door has zippers. It also has extended walls so you can put bricks or boards down to seal the bottom. As far as kansas winter goes, I have no idea. you might want to put a composter or other heat source in there.
1871114
Well I don't know anything about Kansas winters, it does well for Kentucky winters. It does allow enough light for starting seeds, its where we start all our seeds. The mesh is molded into the plastic and the plastic is fairly thick. As far as the air tightness and holding heat in the winter its not so good if the temps fall below freezing.
1871115
It did good for me in California in winter months. I veg inside then threw out for flowering stage . Did good Job was a little hot inside but I open up all the windows . Reinforcement was good for me in California weather just added bricks for it won't fly off
1871116
If there is sunshine on the greenhouse it will warm during the day. Don't think it has enough to stay warm at night without help. Reinforcement mesh is part of the plastic sheet. Plastic is pretty thick, about 20 mil or so. Plenty of light comes in if sun is shining. To keep it warm you'll need a space heater at night.X
1871117
This let's in plenty of light. Its has netting /mesh vinal cover. Not air tight on the windows. I sewed velcro around the windows to seal them an put a heater inside. I think u may be colder than hear in California but over night I would suggest covering it with another plastic layer to help hold heat in for your type of weather. They have Velcro windows but not sealed all the way that's where I finished up with. Velcro around windows
1871118
Light is great. Plastic is thick. Tx panhandle winds made havoc in feb so I used bailing wire criss cross from side frames and it did well in 45 winds. I laid rope size to side o ver the top to keep plastic down. Used a small heater to survive last 5 freezes we had and ended up 2 months ahead of local gardners for an early harvest. I like the product a lot
560566
The seed tray is small and I'm in Colorado and haven't had a problem with snow getting into it. As others have said, the seed doesn't last that long anyway!
421257
Hi Sammy, Yes I am very happy with my purchase. I installed the gutter guard last fall and it made it through the Winter in good shape. The gutter guard is still securely attached to the gutter and it is keeping the leaves out. I see no sign of the gutter guard breaking down or degrading in the hot Summer sun. Looking forward to many years of useful life of the gutter guard. I would recommend it to anyone. Good luck, Tom
1253194
It is very, very light weight. It did not protect my plants from frost. It allowed plenty of light through, things grew great until it got cold and then unfortunately most things froze. I had to switch to a heavier weight cover.
2045421
Dear Michiganian,I tested the bulb and touched it while it was on. Didn't know or care before. You can touch the plastic part where the light shines through, no problem as it is only warm. The metal part in the middle of the bulb does get a little hotter though, I would say hotter than warm, but not really hot. I can still touch it. Hope that answers your question.
2064948
I would use a cover if using these in conjunction with the baskets. Once I received them, however, they seemed to be the size I would use for my seed starter tray which does not use covers. It would primarily depend on whether you are planting something that requires darkness or light to germinate.
324389
That all depends on the weather. In the early summer, I have kept the cover on for 3 or 4 weeks. In the late fall, it depends on how cold it is getting and when it is time to give up for the year! One thing to remember is that the cover does cut down on the amount of sun the plants will receive.Hope this helps.
38331
I also live in upstate NY. I bought one of these things on April 1, and plan to do exactly what you're asking about. For what it's worth, I spent a few dollars to buy a fairly inexpensive plastic greenhouse, and two clamp lights and special grow bulbs to shine on it. When I got it, the plant had one sad looking leaf. It now stands almost 2' tall and has sprouted 4-5 new leaves. Fairly soon it will outgrow the greenhouse, but I will supplement the sunlight with the grow lights when it gets to be Fall again, which both will keep it lit, and warm.
2235658
The tan shade cover lets plenty of residual light through to our deck, but keeps the heat and glare off like a hard cover would do. It seems to be holding up well in all weather conditions and is an extremely cheap option vs. a stick built cover. I would remove it during any winter events as it can be weighed down heavily with snow and possibly damage the canopy or anchor system.
237097
I bought it for the purpose of using in a cold frame. Seedlings that were started indoors are ready to go outside to be tempered for the greenhouse (that is not built yet!)
640709
The clear plastic seed tube (which is very heavy duty) fits inside of the all metal mesh shroud. The top rim of the seed tube fits about 1/2" below the top cover of the metal shroud. If it was sealed there would condensation and you don't want that. I have had some very heavy rain storms this spring and surprisingly the seeds have not gotten wet. But normally I have to fill it everyday anyway. I believe if you purchase one, you will delightfully worry more about keeping it fill with seed than the rain getting in!! Happy Birding!
2004178
Surprisingly,for a bulb this size it doesn't give off a lot of heat.I use it for all phases of grow from germination all the way to seedling stage with no burn.It's pretty close at all stages so no worries on your end.They love it and my peppers have never looked this good.Add a little easy listening music and your babies will love you for it. I'm buying a back up bulb just in case,so I don't have any interrupted grow time come February in my grow room. Good luck and happy gardening.
1847524
The plastic is made if the durable kind that withstands sun and cold. Ours gets sunlight a lot and it has held up well. Cold weather shouldn't be a problem
2025742
Not much warmer than the outside temperature. I keep mine on the patio and unless you are going to add a heat source, don't look for it to stay much warmer (more than 5 degrees) in cold weather than the outside temperature. I did find it is a great place to start seedlings and keeps the plants out of the wind, so there is no wind chill factor. We live in cold weather where it gets down below freezing at night and I found that it was not suitable over winter. I don't know how it will be in summer.
668023
I applied it to a cold frame early last spring. I live at over 3500 feet altitude, therefore I get a strong dosage of ultraviolet radiation. During the winter months the material became brittle due to the radiation and broke up. This is a good material for the price but it is not resistant to ultraviolet at this altitude. I do have a greenhouse that I covered with a ultraviolet resistant plastic that is god for four years but the price is much higher. If you have a greenhouse which is easy to cover the warp brothers material might be the best way to go. If you prefer not to recover it every year I would suggest buying a resistant material for longevity. You might check the material offered by "greenhouse megastore, growers supply or Charlie's greenhouse" for price comparison. I hope this will help you out. If you have any other questions I will be glad to give you my input.
2099508
It's like a terrarium - the heat and humidity compliment the plants. If you live in the south, you won't want the plastic cover on in the summer time. As for varmints, I haven't had that issue but, if they want in, they'll get in.
1671111
In phoenix area it seems to be growing in shade better than full sun areas. Additionally I believe it grows naturally as a rain forest floor in tropical climates. I can not say at this point how it reacts to frost/freezing temps.