I tried just a light-bulb when we had it placed on our porch. Not warm enough. Put the greenhouse on the ground and tried a little propane heater but that would be HUGELY expensive. It used up one of those little canisters in about 5 hours and they cost about $2 a piece. Not a good choice.

I had a little electric heater that was working just fine but my husband didn't like it being on an extension cord, plus the heater wasn't one meant to be in a damp greenhouse anyway.

So...I looked on the internet and in England they use mini paraffin or kerosene heaters to heat small greenhouses and cold frames. BUT...the place I wanted to get it from won't ship to the US. I found one on eBay (again from England) and wrote to find out about shipping but the seller did not respond.

I am wondering if just putting a kerosene/paraffin lamp would do the trick, but I am thinking that as I get condensation, the drips will fall on the lamp's wick. Geesh.

Does ANYONE know of a source in the US of these mini kerosene heaters? I will show you the one I was looking at in England.
http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/product/Greenhouse Equipment_Heaters/GHE-008.htm
That would be about $30 which is the kind of price I want to pay.

It seems like I can't be the only one who has looked for something like this. I am finding some other types in England too now, but if I can buy in the US, I would prefer that.

I may look around these forums and see if there is one dedicated to greenhouses and post there too. Thanks.

Joanie D.

But before you opt for keosene you might want to check this:
"Portable kerosene heaters used in homes are risky because some plants are sensitive to gases formed when the fuel is burned."
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MCE/Publications/Publication.cfm?ID=46&cat=L

And thanks, veilchen. I did go to that forum yesterday and got two responses there too. I love these garden forums! I hope you all have a great spring/summer with your gardens.

Joanie D.

I piled 16 grainbags of leaves today around my greenhouse and will know in the morning if that helped keep heat in there. In the mornings it has been just as cold inside the greenhouse with no heater as the air is outside.

Joanie D.