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House plants...winter in an unheated garage?

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  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Have I missed something here, what’s wrong with keeping house plants in the house? 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Most of the plants that we grow as houseplants come from tropical or subtropical parts of the world, so they won't take the cold.  Ivies in pots might be OK near the window (the small-leaved ones are sometimes sold as houseplants). Unforced bulbs in pots could be grown outside and brought in when they're coming into flower.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Tin pot said:
    Hostafan1 said:
    Tin pot said:
    Okay, what about if I add UV lighting or cheap grow lamps?

    Or would I need to be considering insulation and heating as well?
    Is the cost justifiable? Methinks not
    Perhaps you could share a little of your knowledge on the subject?  £50 doesn’t seem like much to me, for example:
    https://www.grow-magic.co.uk/secret-jardin-led-light-26w-blue


    Does £50 cover the electricity over the winter too?
    Devon.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Hostafan1 said:
    Tin pot said:
    Hostafan1 said:
    Tin pot said:
    Okay, what about if I add UV lighting or cheap grow lamps?

    Or would I need to be considering insulation and heating as well?
    Is the cost justifiable? Methinks not
    Perhaps you could share a little of your knowledge on the subject?  £50 doesn’t seem like much to me, for example:
    https://www.grow-magic.co.uk/secret-jardin-led-light-26w-blue


    Does £50 cover the electricity over the winter too?
    It’s the age of consumerism , cost is irrelevant these days. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    Is this for existing plants or are you just looking for something to grown in there? That south facing window could be ideal for over-wintering some garden plants that don't like too much rain. Loads of plants would appreciate the shelter and not worry about the cold.

    How do you protect the boiler from freezing by the way?

    You could post on freecycle for insulation going spare and see what turns up. It might take a while to get enough together but you never know. My garage here is unheated but fully insulated apart from the garage door and it never gets below freezing in there.


    I just thought some greenery would be nice and make it a little less industrial looking.

    Im not sure how the boiler functions, although there is loose insulation around the pipes.

    I don’t want to insulate it unless I really need to, but it would make it more appealing if it stayed above ‘brass monkeys’.  Putting a radiator in probably would be hard but the door and roof would be a hassle.
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    Tin pot said:
    Hostafan1 said:
    Tin pot said:
    Okay, what about if I add UV lighting or cheap grow lamps?

    Or would I need to be considering insulation and heating as well?
    Is the cost justifiable? Methinks not
    Perhaps you could share a little of your knowledge on the subject?  £50 doesn’t seem like much to me, for example:
    https://www.grow-magic.co.uk/secret-jardin-led-light-26w-blue


    That supplier seems to provide the necessities for growing stuff illicitly indoors that can then be sold on at a huge profit ... is that the sort of thing you’re looking for? 😶
    No!

    😂
  • Tin pot said:
    Tin pot said:
    Hostafan1 said:
    Tin pot said:
    Okay, what about if I add UV lighting or cheap grow lamps?

    Or would I need to be considering insulation and heating as well?
    Is the cost justifiable? Methinks not
    Perhaps you could share a little of your knowledge on the subject?  £50 doesn’t seem like much to me, for example:
    https://www.grow-magic.co.uk/secret-jardin-led-light-26w-blue


    That supplier seems to provide the necessities for growing stuff illicitly indoors that can then be sold on at a huge profit ... is that the sort of thing you’re looking for? 😶
    No!

    😂
    Thought not ☕️ 🍪 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Do you spend time in the garage in winter when it's that cold?   If it looks too industrial, tidy it up, clean the window, hang some curtains, paint a wall with a mural?

    Don't be cruel to plants just to have a bit of colour that won't survive the conditions.

    Try and consume less energy and save money while you're on or maybe think about insulating the roof and door and installing a solar panel if possible.   
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • What about something like Lewisia? They don't mind the cold but hate the wet, I think the need a cold snap to germinate so you could sow early or just over winter them like I do. Pretty little things and they flower their socks off once they get going.
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