Greenhouse Water Tank
I’ve heard that cramming your greenhouse full of giant water tanks is the secret sauce to keeping it cozy when Jack Frost comes to town. Everyone and their grandma swears by slathering those tanks in black paint. Well, I’m crossing my fingers I can dodge that step! For the time being, I figured I’d just slap a black trash bag on the south side and see if it works like instant sunshine on those warm days. I snagged a 125-gallon food-grade water tank on Facebook Marketplace, which was previously a soy sauce transport vehicle — talk about gourmet gardening! And for just $100, it was a steal compared to anything new.
When I first filled it, I barely splashed in a quarter of the water. My master plan was to drag it to the north side of the greenhouse after I threw up all my insulation and bubble wrap, but my ambitions took longer than expected. So I decided to leave it where it is, like a stubborn houseguest.
At first, I noticed the overnight temperatures in the greenhouse actually staying warm — like they had a little party with the heat! But then, a cold front crashed the scene, and I filled the tank almost to the brim, not wanting to risk a hose hunt during an ice age. The water was freezing cold going in, so instead of making things toasty, it felt like I was trying to put out a fire with ice water. Fingers crossed it warms up soon so I can enjoy balmy nights again instead of feeling like I’ve been transported to the Arctic! And let’s be real, I’d rather not carry water jugs through the winter like a snowman in training!
Just a heads-up! If you’re dreaming of squeezing a tank this big into your greenhouse after it’s all put together, you might be in for a comedy show. Luckily, I managed to snag mine before the final touches went on, so I got it inside without turning it into a game of “how to wreck a greenhouse.” Trust me, it’s much easier without a wrestling match with glass panels!
I’ll keep you in the loop over the next few weeks as my water tank does its slow-cooked magic. Let’s see if it’s any good at holding onto the heat during the chilly nights. Fingers crossed it doesn’t turn into a lukewarm swimming pool instead!
My dogs are like my construction foremen, keeping a watchful eye to ensure we’re not putting the cat tree in upside down!
