From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Denver

Is 6 mil plastic for a cold frame the ideal thickness?

4/8/2005 3:01:39 PM

wilmington,ma.

I've used 4 and got away with it.You can double it and have an air pocket,even better.

4/8/2005 3:55:45 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

UV plastic if you want to reuse it is a must.

4/8/2005 3:58:50 PM

C N Y

i like the 4 mil. plastic for the cost advantage,
and i have found it to be adequate for my windbreaks,
so i would suggest 4 mil., but not any thinner.
i do believe that the "mil." thickness refers to the
thickness of the plastic in thousandths of an inch;
4 mil. would be .004", 6 mil. would be .006", etc....
i think.

4/8/2005 4:32:23 PM

[email protected]

I've gotten 3 years+ out of UV stabilized 6 mil. But the unstabilized garbage found in big-box home centers doesn't last a full year. If you can store the cloches while covered, then I would invest in the good stuff. If not, then buy the cheapest garbage available since it'll only need to last a few weeks anyway.

I like the double layer idea in cold areas.

4/8/2005 8:44:35 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

For what it's worth...I've used the 6 mil last four years and always languished behind my crosstown buddy in terms of early season plant growth. I will try the 4 mil or lesser grade this season with the thought that it allows more sunlight thru...just a thought! Best of luck!

4/8/2005 8:58:49 PM

Puyallup, WA

Duff...You're going to have to cut down some of those trees! :>)

4/8/2005 11:11:50 PM

No Place Special

I use 6 mil. Used 4 mil once and it couldn't handle the wind I have here. I think 6 mil lets in enough light.

4/8/2005 11:17:16 PM

Taber, Alberta

I used two layers of 6 mil last year and it let lots of light in. My plant loved it.

4/9/2005 12:03:44 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

If you guys have a green house near by...Go ask them for some plastic. If the get a tear or wrip in it they replace it.

4/9/2005 8:27:53 AM

Oz

bubble plastic.
if ya can resist poppin the bubbles........

4/9/2005 6:47:15 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Bubble wrap? Really? I guess the bubbles would provide some insulation and help things heat up by focusing the rays. But, what size are you talking about? Big bubbles, or little bubbles? And, does it really work? How well does it hold up to the weather?

4/10/2005 12:18:34 AM

C N Y

now, that will be interesting!!!!

4/11/2005 4:31:08 PM

Montoursville, PA

Eurica!!!! Bubbles collect three sixty and increase the heat transfered to the inside of the frame. Plus they insulate better. Bet 'cha a buck what I said is true.

You can find this tunnel of light in the building industry for collecting and transmitting light from roof to room below.

You can find this tunnel of light on a space ship. A collector on the outside, a tunnel, and a difusion panel on the inside.

Sounds more like bubble wrap all the time. Oh my what a great idea.

4/11/2005 6:42:13 PM

Long Island,New York

And when the wind picks them up and blows them across the yard they will be amply padded and protected !!!

4/11/2005 8:09:41 PM

Oz

lol,and ready for shipping!
,,ya'll welcome,,,,
my head is in solar collection,
(up the grid!)
call it ,,if ya care to,,McP bubble houses.
A friend here grows Gringer county tomatoes in green houses.
I have his gears spinning!!

I have used basement auto vents to keep the air flow good
now add UV guard,,and you get more than one year.

DOC,I kept the bubbles on the inside,,but there is a good test!

4/16/2005 10:12:04 AM

Oz

If you attach another skin, use pvc cement,,,,
you can "inflate" your bubble igloos.inner tube valves....
Add poly rope and poly "water" tube for the frame and to tie down to the ground.

I had romas in winter.yumm .
The soil was insulated/heated and the plants had bubble houses over them.
The green house was glass and had a large bubble wrap on it.

Real good stuff is "tedlar". dow or dupont,,,,,
comes in transparent to translucent.uv proof,,

4/16/2005 10:39:24 AM