Winter protection - zone 6

[oppalm]

I finished up one of my winter palm huts this weekend and thought I'd show you my plans. I am covering a Trachycarpus Fortunei (this will be its third winter in ground) and 2 small sabal minors (also in ground for 3 years). Previously all three of the palms were overwintered under 2' of leaves with a plastic tarp over them to keep out the snow and ice. I decided to build a hut over them this year as an experiment as I bought a 4' fortunei this summer and plan on planting it in ground next spring.

I plan on heating the hut with a 75 watt spot light bulb hooked up to a thermocube that comes on at 35F and off at 45F.

First picture is the skeleton of the hut made with 2 X 4's and 1 X 3's. the hut is 4' X4' X 4' tall.



Next up is the hut covered in R-13 insulation.

[oppalm]

Next up is the hut covered in a plastic tarp. Of course this is a work in progress. I am hopeful I can keep the inside of the hut above 10F when our temps drop to near 0F. I have a remote thermometer inside the hut so I can monitor the temps. We have not dropped below 0F the last 3 years and I am hopeful that trend continues. I'll monitor the low temps and make adjustments as needed. Most likely will add another 75 watt spot light if needed.

[lucky1]

Kent, have you got a rigid roof on it so tarp doesn't bow in with snow/ice weight?

There's probably a porthole on one side for you to check on the palms now and then.

That'll work nicely for those 3 palms.
Barb

[oppalm]

very observant of you Barb. can't slip anything past you. yes I have four 1 X 2's spaced across the top under the insulation to hold up the insulation. Just didn't take a picture of it. the insulation is cut a little on the side so I can pull the tarp up and peak at my palm trees anytime I want. My big concern is if the spotlight burns out I wouldn't know until its probably too late. I am trying to think up a solution. I think I am going to cut a small hole (like the size of a quarter near the bottom of the hut which will allow a small amount of light out so I can stand in the warm house and look out and see if and when the light is on. What do you think? any other suggestions.

[oppalm]

somebody has a new weather sticker ....... and its me. This one is 3 blocks from our house. pretty cool.

[lucky1]

Great you've got your weather sticker running!
Nice to find one so near your home.

cut a small hole (like the size of a quarter near the bottom of the hut which will allow a small amount of light out

Excellent idea when using a spotlight. Jim had a good idea (but he uses C-9s); he leaves one Christmas light outside the enclosure that's visible from house.

Have you got a remote thermometer in there?
I don't even know why I'm asking that...I've got a LaCrosse and the bloody thing gives me readings of "--" most of the time, so I haven't a clue what the inside temp is. I'm relying on visual (if icicles are hanging off the roof, it's probably warm inside). But it's during night-time that I want to know

Anybody know if batteries die more quickly in freezing weather?
Barb

[oppalm]

peep hole update. I used the cardboard roll from wrapping paper and covered it with a clear plastic bag, cut a hole in the tarp and slipped in between the insulation and pointed it toward the house. I can stand in the kitchen and see if the light is on inside the hut. tested it and it works. our first round of cold weather is coming in a few days so hopefully it will work.

I do have a wireless thermometer in the hut but mine to shows "--" most of the time. The insulation must be too thick for the radio signal to penetrate. I'll just have to trust the system to work.

spelling update. I promise to proof read before submitting.

[lucky1]

Great idea, Kent.
Think we all know what a clear plastin bad is!

Somebody advised me to switch to Lithium batteries, but just in the remote, two AA batteries, outdoors (the sender).
Did that, indoor display showed the temp...for an hour and then got "--" again.

So since I had to buy a four-pack, tried to put the other two in the Receiver.
But the Receiver takes two AAA ---> la Crosse unit.

insulation must betoo thick for the radio signal to penetrate

Really? My (other) Bios weather station works great.
Never get the "--", and it receives through insulated house walls from over 100 feet away.

I think we've both just got crappy, cheap, made in who-knows-where units.
Barb

[TerdalFarm]

Kent,
nice sticker.
There is a personal weather station a mile from my house which I like, but it stops and starts often so my sticker is the more official Bixby one. Farther away, but it works and never says 0 oF or -9999oC some some I could name.
Kent and Barb,
let me know if you can recommend a reliable wireless thermometer. I'm in the market for a new one.
--Erik

[lucky1]

wireless thermometer

Do Not buy the homeowner version from LaCrosse.
That's mine and it's always reading an
Have heard they make more expensive ones (gee, will those work?)

But I like my Bios wireless thermometer, with wind-speed, etc.
Although I've heard pro weathermen wouldn't be caught dead owning such a cheap device at their homes (apparently out a degree or two...so what!)
This model doesn't have a rain gauge...We get so little rain that I don't care about that feature lacking.

Barb

[hardyjim]

Good luck with your palms Kent!


Barb

Is there a place in your house you can move the receiver
so it will be closer to the remote sensor?

[oppalm]

my wireless thermometer is "Acurite". If I take my receving unit outside and get within about 5' of the hut it will read, but then as I get back inside I get the "--" I also get readings on mine late in the afternoon (inside) for about 2 hours and then "--" for about 22 hours a day. radio frequencies must be strong during certain times of the day (or something).

[lucky1]

The LaCrosse receiver is about 15 feet from the palm hut, "through" only one wall.
Somebody suggested gently cleaning the battery terminals with an eraser.

Will try that, as well as Kent's suggestion to take it outside and approach the hut.

I'm just sick and tired of buying crap that works only for a short while.
No wonder landfills are full.

[BILL MA]

I love the camouflaged tarp Kent that was a super cool idea!!! Let us know how that 10f thermocube works out I'm to chicken to let it get that cold for to long of a period, 20f is as low as I'm willing to go.

Bill

[lucky1]

Cleaned the battery connections in both sender and receiver.
Took a large paperclip and gently bent up little metal battery contacts in both units.
Didn't think that was the problem because batteries hadn't been easy to install or remove, now they're even more difficult.

B U T .... And I don't care that it's stuck on Fahrenheit.
It's worked since late this MORNING !!!!

<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/521 ... 5cb038.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04139" />



So, Scotty, try that with yours and see if it stays on.
Barb

[hardyjim]

Good job Barb,makes sense that the outdoor sensor could get gummed up!

[lucky1]

Hope that's Scotty's problem too.

I did everything but kiss this thing ...
Barb

[oppalm]

Barb, you have the magic touch. I'll be working some magic with mine this weekend as our temps are supposed to be back near 50F (10C).

[lucky1]

Premature excitement...it's "--" again!

I'm not giving up on this @#$#&* thing.
So will insert a little tinfoil piece under each battery contact (to allow no movement).
Seems to me tinfoil worked with ole' rabbit ear antennas eons ago...OMG I'm really dating myself now

Rabbit ears? You'll all ask...what's an antenna?