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Post by Seymour on Jan 17, 2017 11:00:30 GMT -5
Hello. Im in the design stages of building a mini bog on my deck. I want it to be temprate only so that i can seal it up for the winter months. My idea is to cut the sarrs down then pack the box with straw or pine needles and put a top on it to keep as much of our ontario cold weather off as possible. Does this sound right?? I plan to make the box out of deck boards and line it with vapor barrier prior to filling with peat. My thoughts are to put a drain hose at a certain height to keep a water table. Although im unsure how high that should be. Any input is welcome.
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Post by lloyd on Jan 17, 2017 12:06:42 GMT -5
I have a thread on mine somewhere. Recommended temperatures no lower than 32°F.
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Post by Seymour on Jan 17, 2017 12:12:29 GMT -5
Thx lloyd. I will do more searching. Maybe i can keep some of the less hardy temprates in pots for ease of removal in fall.
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Post by Seymour on Jan 17, 2017 12:54:25 GMT -5
ok I can see another issue im going to have with my bog. my deck is 4ft off the ground. even if I only had native plants in it there is no way for them to catch warmth from the ground in the winter months. im thinking unless I were to pipe warm waterlines into the base of the box I will have to remove my plants in the fall.
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Post by shoggoths on Jan 17, 2017 13:04:35 GMT -5
Sarrs benefit from their leave in Spring to do photosynthesis. It's a hard job but I only cut dead leave in Autumn, keep green one and put a 2X2X4 foam box over my plants for winterization.
Also, I think you're right. Here the ground get frozen up to 5 feet deep so there's nothing I can do about it ... only bring CPs in the garage. If your bog get frozen solid for a long period, you will have casualties. Warm waterlines is a good idea but could end pricey. I also thought about using an aquarium heater to keep the temperature above 5C but the thermostat lower temperature is set to 20C. I can't find a way to set this rigth.
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Post by Seymour on Jan 17, 2017 13:16:30 GMT -5
I really want to make this work. So. If the box is made of wood then lined on the inside with 1 or 2" foam insulation. Then i put the 4mm vapor barrier. It would be like a big beer cooler inside. I could use an electric mat or waterline hooked to my hot water heater on a tstat and cycling pump. Wow this is turning into a big undertaking lol. I do not have a garage to store my plants in. And if i filled my fridge my wife would get angry lol.
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Post by WillyCKH on Jan 17, 2017 15:46:38 GMT -5
Sarrs benefit from their leave in Spring to do photosynthesis. It's a hard job but I only cut dead leave in Autumn, keep green one and put a 2X2X4 foam box over my plants for winterization. Also, I think you're right. Here the ground get frozen up to 5 feet deep so there's nothing I can do about it ... only bring CPs in the garage. If your bog get frozen solid for a long period, you will have casualties. Warm waterlines is a good idea but could end pricey. I also thought about using an aquarium heater to keep the temperature above 5C but the thermostat lower temperature is set to 20C. I can't find a way to set this rigth. Martin, I can make you one of these programmable thermostat if you want. I think it would be useful to add to your water heater. I use this to control our portable heater at home.
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Post by lloyd on Jan 17, 2017 16:12:42 GMT -5
I bought a ready made thermostat but yours is probably cheaper.
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Post by WillyCKH on Jan 17, 2017 16:17:34 GMT -5
I bought a ready made thermostat but yours is probably cheaper. That works too
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Post by Seymour on Jan 18, 2017 8:00:36 GMT -5
I found soil heating cables. The cable is 400w. So if a stat or somthing like willys device can maintain 5c it may not be that bad on hydro. Even engine block heaters are more wattage than these cables.
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Post by lloyd on Jan 18, 2017 8:21:41 GMT -5
I find 0°C is fine with no leaf loss or rhizome death. Cheaper than 5°C.
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Post by Seymour on Jan 18, 2017 8:47:36 GMT -5
Good point. Do you think 2" sm styrofoam insulation will be adequate? The box will also be against the house on 2 sides. I can pile snow against it to further increase the R value. I appreciate everyones input. I think if i can heat it cheaply it would make winterizing easier and would benefit the plants in the long run.
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Post by lloyd on Jan 18, 2017 10:14:11 GMT -5
Don't forget air flow if T>5°C
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Post by Seymour on Jan 18, 2017 10:31:48 GMT -5
I was going to ask that. I dont want to invite mould or anything with stagnant air and such. So if i was to seal it completely to make the heat efficient i will be ok at 0-1 deg C??
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Post by lloyd on Jan 18, 2017 11:18:58 GMT -5
Some head space is good for some movement. Watch for mold if warm.
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